Drove up skiing the other day and get out - "whats that smell?" one of back brakes was smoking.

I checked and it is NOT the parking brake seizing up at all, but caliper is sticking.

When I turn wheel - slight resistance. Also I am getting **** fuel economy lately.

So - Question : FIxing Caliper. Can i DIY at home? I see how to take it off, but what is involved with cleaning up the piston etc.? The opposite wheel had problems a few months ago with slight sticking as well... must be common.

Any advice / links appreciated!

 

I would take the caliper apart and rebuild it.. I dont know if there is a kit for this, or how to thread... but generally you want to clean the pistons and the bores with some steel wool, take your time, get it all clean. then buy like 4 cans of brake cleaner.. and spray the **** out of the ports, also air helps. make sure you clean the bore where the seals land, and then get inside that with a rag and maybe a bent flathead screwdriver. Take your time, you dont want any steel wool left anywhere, and DO NOT USE WATER.... When your ready, get some dot 4 fluid and dip the seals in it and put it back in the grove, then re assemble the piston. Make sure you have all the O rings in place, and keep them if they are not included in a rebuild kit.


Good luck. I've never rebuilt a4 calipers.. but thats a general tech on caliper rebuilds..

OH ya, for getting the pistons out, put a block of wood between the pistons and put an air hose in the brake fluid inlet spot.. and BE FREEKING CAREFUL. just a little psi should get the pistons to move out, if not, try a little more.. If you've got 40psi on them and they arnt coming out.. check for an adjustment screw (hell do that first..) or try getting some pipe wrenches or whatever and twisting and pulling the pistons out.. (honestly the best way to do it...) You'll want to do that with the caliper split in half.

Good luck

 

If it was below freezing when the e-brake was set last, that could have frozen the caliper in place (the e-brake will still appear to be operational). I've also seen a piece of the brake pad break away from the backing and get lodged funny in between the pad backing and rotor making that smell without the e-brake being set. If your caliper is in fact seized up, get a caliper tool or c-clamp and try to push it back in while taping the caliper (lightly) with a mallet or hammer. If that doesn't work, replace or rebuild the caliper. If it does work, drive on. If it freezes up again in a relatively short amount of time, consider a rebuild or new caliper.

DSTi

 

you can buy a new caliper at autohausaz.com for like $170

 

All good advice - thanks boys!