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MG MGB Technical - brake (caliper?) problem

Hello All,

Yesterday vibration through steering, felt like a flat tyre. Stopped,tyre ok but drivers side wheel too hot to touch with some smoke smelling of burning brake lining. Also on stopping brake pedal went to floor but recovered shortly after. Is sticking brake caliper the most likely cause?

Many thanks,

Clark.
Clark

Yup, sounds like sticking piston(s). Your calipers will need to be overhauled with new seals and possibly pistons. Even though only one side is sticking it's advisable to do both sides at the same time to ensure even braking.
Mike BGT

Thanks for your quick response, Mike. My fist thought was caliper and my second thought was "one or both?"
Clark

Clark,

if one wheel is obviosly becomming warm, the brake hoses have to be cecked first. With age, the tend to become blocked and will not allow the pistons to go back again.

If the hoses have been used for some years allredy, new ones should be fitted.
When undoing the bleed nipple on the caliper 1/2 a turn and pushing back the pad a little, you can test wether the pistons have sized or are free.

hope this helps

Ralph
Ralph

Clark. As Mike and Ralph note, one side hotter than the other indicates heat build up do to excessive friction.

Put the front of the car on jack stands, remove the wheels and look at the pads on each side. If one side has been sticking, the pads will be worn more. If one of the two pistons in a caliper is sticking, but the other is not, the brake pad on the sticking piston will be worn more than the one on the other side.

To test for a bad hose--internal blockage not allowing the pistons to retract when pressure is removed from the system by releasing the brake pedal, simply loosen the bleed nipple a little. If pressure is built up, it will vent out of the nipple and the pistons should retract. If no pressure is vented and the disc is still binding, it has to be a piston problem.

When ordering new hoses be aware that most do not come with the copper sealing washer that goes between the hose fitting and the caliper to make a leak proof seal. The old ones can be annealed and reused, but they are commonly damaged after years of service and a new washer on each hose is inexpensive insurance that the system will work right after being repaired.

Les
Les Bengtson

Thanks Ralph and Les, I'll take that into account as well.
Clark

This thread was discussed on 18/02/2008

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