'Brake Bind'

[Albert27]

Afternoon folks,

Just need some advice on an MOT advisory on my friends car.  The advisory said front nearside had slight brake bind.  When driving the car it squeaks intermittently from that wheel until the brakes are applied and then the squeak stops.  Bouncing off my successful disc brake change last week I've said I'll get some advice and look at it for them.  What causes this?  Would the best thing be to copper grease behind the pads & contacts with caliper bracket as well as greasing caliper guide pins?  

 

[andypsp]

howdy, yes i`d try the copper grease behind the pads, that should fix the problem 

[Tdci-Peter]

6 hours ago, Albert27 said:

The advisory said front nearside had slight brake bind.

Hopefully a clean up and re-grease will solve the problem.

But while the pads are off, have a really good look at the caliper dust seal rubbers, for any little splits or holes. Also the piston should go back under strong finger pressure. You can try pushing it in by hand, then back out (not too far!) with the brake pedal, a few times.

If dirt or water has got through the seal and into the caliper, between piston & bore, the piston will become hard to move, and cause binding of the brakes. Just worth checking as it can become a bad problem if left.

[Albert27]

8 hours ago, Tdci-Peter said:

caliper dust seal rubbers

Thanks Peter. Are the dust seal rubbers the pieces that sit over the piston?  And if that is the case, what is the solution - would it be a new caliper or can a new seal be put on?

[Tdci-Peter]

3 hours ago, Albert27 said:

And if that is the case, what is the solution - would it be a new caliper or can a new seal be put on?

Yes, the seals are around the edge of the piston. Seal kits are available for about £10 to £25 for an axle set. They include the dust seals, the rubber seals that go in the piston inside the caliper, and the rubber grommets that the caliper guide pins fit into.

Something like: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FOCUS-MK2-2005-2011-FRONT-BRAKE-CALIPER-REPAIR-KIT-BCK1012-/231465280820?hash=item35e467e534

Fitting the dust seals may need a tool to press it on, just a ring easily made with a lathe, but not so easy without a lathe. Many dust seals have a metal support ring moulded into the rubber that needs more force to push on to the caliper than can easily be done by hand.

If the piston is sticking, it will need removing, and the piston & bore inspecting & cleaning up. If the bore is badly pitted, the caliper will have to be replaced anyway. So for almost all garages, and many diy people, replacing the caliper is the simplest option. But a lot more expensive. Obviously safety is more important than cost, and if in any doubt about the condition of a caliper, it should be replaced. Seal replacement is a good option if the damage is caught early while the caliper is still in sound condition.

But hopefully it will not come to that, and the piston will be ok.

[mrmetallica]

i had this on my old escort .i found that the brake hose was damaged inside so when i pumped the brake the brake would go on and stay on .so new brake hose was the cure .

[Albert27]

Thanks for all the info guys!