Brakes rubbing.

[JamesFarrell]

A while back the front brakes on the Escort started playing up. The outer pad on the driver's side caliper rubs to the point that if you jack the front wheels up, put it in 1st and lift the clutch so that the wheels move, it actually stops that wheel moving. I tried to loosen the bleed nipple (with a proper 1-way bleed kit and some extra fluid) to take some of the pressure out while I pushed the piston back, but it's so stiff it wouldn't work and I had to give up before I rounded it. That's the first problem, are there any suggestions to loosen the nipple? It's been coated in WD40 but nothing.

 

So I gave up on that approach, and took the cap off the fluid tank and used a G-clamp to push the piston back into the caliper. That sorted the problem, but it's very slowly come back. I don't really want to have to do this every couple of months, and would like to stop it. I'm reluctant to buy new pads and discs only for the problem to still be there. Is there a way adjust the caliper in any way?

[ANDYC]

if it wont undo you will have to get a new caliper

[JamesFarrell]

Gah. I was hoping that was avoidable. It seems the Escort is turning into a money eater just like the 306 then.

[sortedford]

you can get recon ones at fairly good prices, i paid £45 for a recon rear disc rs2000 one before, plus i had to exchange my rear one in

[stevietec]

You could try grinding the inside of the caliper a bit. I've got a similar sort of problem at the moment. The disc was catching on part of the caliper so i took the caliper off and took the grinder to it. There was about 2-3 mm of rust and shite on the caliper and you could have the same problem which in turn would cause the pads to sit too close to the disc.

 

[JamesFarrell]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll look at trying that, but might just end up changing the calipers so I can bleed the brakes in future if need be.

sortedford - where did you get those recon calipers from?

[Devboy]

got to anywhere mate, i got brandnew calipers for £50 and gave them my old ones so they can recon them and sell.

 

Got mine form ATS in the isle of mann.

[sortedford]

just a local auto place called chopras

[danmk6trx1]

u can replace the piston in the caliper! dunno if that would make any difference tho!

[theresa]

Can't remember if Fords have 'sliders' in the caliper.

 

If they do, them this could be your problem.

 

Sliders help the caliper slide back and forth, so if they are seized, then the caliper won't move properly and the piston will remain pushed out against the pad, hence the pad/disc wear.

 

If it's just the piston, then you could put WD40 on it and work it backwards and forwards (push it in with grips and push it out with the brake pedal) and keep putting WD on while you are doing this, until it moves freely.

 

Otherwise, seeing as you can't undo the bleed nipple, it might be best and easier to get a re-con caliper.

[JamesFarrell]

I'll see what the brake and tyre place say next time I'm there, needs the wheels balancing anyway. Thanks.