Bob: This is my experience with siezed (occasional) brake pads. There
may be a simple solution for you here. I replaced my disk brake pads
this past spring on my 1960 MGA 1600. Shortly after that I started
getting an occasional high pitched "scream" eminating from the front
end. I eliminated the water pump and generator bushings as a cause and
started looking at the brakes again. The front left disk brake had
really uneven wear (2-3:1). I thought that the caliper piston might be
sticking in the "out position". With a neighbor pressing the brake
pedal and me viewing the active end of things showed me that the pistons
(inner and outer) were extending and retracting. The inner pad backed
off so I could get a piece of paper in between the pad and the rotor.
The outer pad however did not back off. A quick "shake" of the rotor
had the desired effect ... the pad backed off. Thinking that this might
be the demon, I removed the pad and used a small chisel and 1/2" wire
brush to clean off the support surfaces for the pad, reinserted it,
applied the brakes and voila...the pad maved back off the rotor the
width of a piece of paper. After extensive road testing .... no more
squeal!! I have since applied this treatment to both the left and right
pad areas (inner and outer) and still no squeal.
Eric
JstBob@aol.com wrote:
>
> Am I correct in my thinking that it is time to replace the calipers when one
> locks up. My left caliper has locked up twice. I comes lose after I stop and
> pump the brakes a few times. But, I never know when it will do it again. The
> last brake work I have done (other than adjusting) was in 96 when I installed
> new hoses, pads and rotors. This problem just started a month ago.
>
> I have a price on calipers locally of $40, which seems very cheap when
> compared to Victoria British. I wonder about the quality?? What is the going
> rate among others on the list?
>
> Bob
> 71 mgb (pulls to the left)
--
ÿWPCž
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