Thanks, that's what I was looking for. It's an '88 and I did the 1st part OK although I had to use major pressure to rotate the piston back, I think I used a 12mm nut though. If I understood correctly the handbrake mechanism is seizing & all I have to do is free it up some how. I'll just add it to my list of stuff to do on the GTI i.e.; Replace both axles -already have them-AutoZone lifetime replacement policy as per someone on the list a while back Replace timing belt -don't have that yet- Replace p steering pump -used spare-
Anyway, thanks again, Steve -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jack Simon Sent: Monday, November 17, 2003 8:31 PM To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [a2-16v-list] Bad Caliper?? Steve, You didn't mention how old the car was. Is it a pre-89 version or a later one??? The rear calipers on A2 cars have been known to seize and need replaced with rebuilt or new ones. Someone mentioned in one of the notes about screwing back in the piston in the caliper when you replaced the rear pads. It takes a 17mm allen wrench to do this or find a bolt that has a 17mm head on it, run a couple of nuts on and jam them together. If I remember correctly, Sears has a 17mm allen wrench available. Anyhow, run the piston back down in as far as you can and replace the pads. Once you get the pads in and everything back together you are required to pump the brake pedal "about 30 times" to get the pistons to move back out and trap the pads in the correct spot. Now, having said all that, if you did just like I described and you are still experiencing the heating of the rear wheel, then the caliper might well be starting to seize. Pulling the handbrake on will clamp the pads to the disc but when it is released, the pads might not fully retract or not retract at all. I had gone through this with both my A2 cars as well as an 81 Rabbit pickup that has early A2 rear discs on it. When it happened the second time, I thought there had to be a better way than splashing out $$$$ for rebuilt calipers. Mine were the early type with the handbrake mechanism on the top of the caliper. I had some "P'Blaster" sitting on my bench so I pulled both rear wheels off and sprayed some of the stuff onto the handbrake actuating mechanisms that went down into the calipers. I tapped them and let it sit for 10 or 15 minutes to soak in. I then used a big pair of grips to work them free but, at the end of the day, they were as good as new and continue to work every time I use them. All it takes is giving them a little shot of P'Blaster every six months or so, especially if the weather has been crappy or there is a lot of salt, grit, whatever on the roads during the winter. Don't try it with WD40, that stuff, when compared to P'Blaster, is like spraying them with cow urine!!! Good luck.........Jack _______________________________________________ a2-16v-list mailing list [email protected] http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list For list archives, see listinfo link above.
