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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: tigers_gonads on 02 November 2018, 11:49:16

Title: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 02 November 2018, 11:49:16
Mini Me's corsa decided to pop the drivers side, rear brake cylinder and empty the brake fluid all over a carpark in town  >:(

Now that side is the one with slightly dodgy bearing and also the drum is stuck on the shaft.

I haven't a tool to draw the drum off so what's the best / quickest way to get the thing stripped down so I can rebuild the brakes.


I'm thinking either destroying the bearing cage with a blowtorch and smashing f**k out of it until it falls apart

OR

Disconnecting the handbrake cable / brake pipe and removing the 4 bolts which hold the hub onto the axel, removing the full drum assembly and abusing it in the relative comfort of the shed with various power tools until its apart  :D

New drums, shoes, cylinders, bearings on order regardless so both sides are going to be rebuilt ................


TIA  :)
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: BazaJT on 02 November 2018, 12:27:40
Wouldn't the application of heat help in getting the drum off -obviously after backing the handbrake shoes right off?Are there no tool hire places round your neck of the woods where you could hire a puller for a day/weekend/week?
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: dave the builder on 02 November 2018, 12:32:48
I would opt for plan B if using the wheel for leverage (27mm nut removed) is not fruitful
clicky help video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m7vipeyNcI)

did you buy drums with bearings fitted or have you got that headache too  :P
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: deviator on 02 November 2018, 12:33:53
For a job like this, I prefer percussive maintenance
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 02 November 2018, 13:23:26
Wouldn't the application of heat help in getting the drum off -obviously after backing the handbrake shoes right off?Are there no tool hire places round your neck of the woods where you could hire a puller for a day/weekend/week?



I've got about half a can of gas left and with about half of pint of brake fluid been spun about in there, it may come off easier then the last attempt so fingers crossed  :y

Not looked into a puller yet.

Due to this job, i've not had time as we only got the car home yesterday  :(
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 02 November 2018, 13:29:58
I would opt for plan B if using the wheel for leverage (27mm nut removed) is not fruitful
clicky help video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m7vipeyNcI)

did you buy drums with bearings fitted or have you got that headache too  :P



Tried all that lot in the video last month when I tried to strip it down for a hand brake cable change / MOT time with little success  :(

The lad has a kit ordered off eBay which comes with 2 drums c/w abs rings.
A pair of bearings (not fitted but i've done the passenger side before with no problem)
A nail / spring kit
A full set of shoes.
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 02 November 2018, 13:31:18
For a job like this, I prefer percussive maintenance


So do I  :-X ;D
I fact it was probably my enthusiasm with made the bearing noisy in the first place  :D :D
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 03 November 2018, 13:37:11
What DOT brake fluid is needed for this corsa ?
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: henryd on 03 November 2018, 13:41:02
What DOT brake fluid is needed for this corsa ?

DOT 4 is plenty good enough :y
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 03 November 2018, 13:41:37
What DOT brake fluid is needed for this corsa ?

DOT 4 is plenty good enough :y



Cheers  :) :y
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 06 November 2018, 15:37:27
Okay, this is turning into a total nightmare  >:(
After 2 hours sat on the wet grass before rain stopped play, I have managed to get about 2 or 3 mm play on the drum.
No about of heat from my blowtorch is going to help this fcucker  :(
Don't have any other source of heat  :(
The back plate is now split open due to me managing to get a pry bar in there  :(

Whats the best way forwards lads ?

Is it just a case of removing the bottom shock bolt, asociated pipes and plugs and 4 bolts to remove the complete unit off the axel ?

Local engineering firm has new owners who ain't interested so its either remove and try to strip in the shed OR replace the back plate and axel shaft and build up with new iner bits and new drum  :-\
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 06 November 2018, 15:53:39
Can you unbolt the stub axle from behind?

Failing that...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-VAUXHALL-CORSA-C-1796cc-Petrol-Manual-Rear-Dead-Axle-with-ABS-Tag-425538/362477271456?epid=21025454331&hash=item54655439a0:g:a8gAAOSwv1db3MqN:rk:12:pf:0 :-\
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 06 November 2018, 15:57:34
Can you unbolt the stub axle from behind?

Failing that...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-VAUXHALL-CORSA-C-1796cc-Petrol-Manual-Rear-Dead-Axle-with-ABS-Tag-425538/362477271456?epid=21025454331&hash=item54655439a0:g:a8gAAOSwv1db3MqN:rk:12:pf:0 :-\



That's my thinking Al  :y

Maybe I can abuse it until it falls apart once its on the ground :-\

OR if I can find a stub axel and rebuild it with the new parts we have bought  :-\
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 06 November 2018, 15:59:13
Subframe off is only a handful of bolts, and with a disc conversion, could make life a lot easier going forward ;)
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 06 November 2018, 16:01:33
Subframe off is only a handful of bolts, and with a disc conversion, could make life a lot easier going forward ;)

Thought of that BUT Mini Me has just blown 150 quid on 2 new drums, bearings, set of shoes and a pair of new cylinders  :-\
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 06 November 2018, 16:02:12
Subframe off is only a handful of bolts, and with a disc conversion, could make life a lot easier going forward ;)

Thought of that BUT Mini Me has just blown 150 quid on 2 new drums, bearings, set of shoes and a pair of new cylinders  :-\
OK, get these...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-NOVA-CORSA-TIGRA-REAR-WHEEL-AXLE-STUB-NEW-90129572/171649849381?hash=item27f720d825:g:UhkAAOxyOlhSxX~u:rk:11:pf:0 :y
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: BazaJT on 06 November 2018, 16:35:29
Out of interest is it rust that's stopping the drum from coming off or that there's a wear ridge in the drum that's stopping it clearing the shoes?Best rust buster I've found so far-without resorting to a gas axe-is a 50/50 mix of atf and acetone[nail varnish remover]mix it well and apply by brush/drip it on/trigger type spray.
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: Nick W on 06 November 2018, 17:26:43
You're replacing the drum aren't you?
Cut a couple of slots 180degrees apart with an angle grinder
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: dave the builder on 06 November 2018, 18:55:22
You're replacing the drum aren't you?
Cut a couple of slots 180degrees apart with an angle grinder
Great idea  :y
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: Nick W on 06 November 2018, 22:03:19
Subframe off is only a handful of bolts, and with a disc conversion, could make life a lot easier going forward ;)


Remove the subframe to make getting the drums off easier? What have you been drinking?
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 06 November 2018, 22:38:37
My first link showed a complete axle assembly with discs...  ;)

My second link is for brand new genuine stub axles for a tenner each... Twice as many bolts but possibly a simpler solution :y
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 November 2018, 16:42:35
Cant see why its not coming off, never even had this, do the drums rotate?

Its usually a case of pull the drum whilst hitting it at 3 then 9 o'clock and away them come.
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 07 November 2018, 18:57:47
Cant see why its not coming off, never even had this, do the drums rotate?

Its usually a case of pull the drum whilst hitting it at 3 then 9 o'clock and away them come.


Been working all day so just seen this lot ...................

Drum rotates on bearing.
Definitely not the pads catching on the drum.

Looking to me like some oppswit has windy gunned on the 32mm nut which secures the drum / bearing onto the spline and with the heat from the worn bearing, its seized onto the shaft.
The 3mm play I have is definitely the bearing breaking down in its cage.

Like the idea of angle grinding a couple of slots @ 3 / 9 o'clock and seeing if I can get a crowbar / couple of pry bars in there  :-\
If that doesn't work, i'll remove that side shock and pull the full unit off and work on it in the shed  :-\

All tomorrow unless I get dragged into work  ::)

If the worse comes to it, Mini Me will have to buy a backplate and abs sensor (if I knacker it) and i'll just rebuild the lot up with the new cylinder / shoes / drum and fit it as a complete unit

As always, thanks lads  :)

 
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 07 November 2018, 18:59:22
Out of interest is it rust that's stopping the drum from coming off or that there's a wear ridge in the drum that's stopping it clearing the shoes?Best rust buster I've found so far-without resorting to a gas axe-is a 50/50 mix of atf and acetone[nail varnish remover]mix it well and apply by brush/drip it on/trigger type spray.

Bearing seized  :(
Any rust would have turned to powder with the amount of abuse it got yesterday  :y ;D
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 08 November 2018, 00:06:59
Second link is for genuine new stub axles :y
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 08 November 2018, 11:25:51
Second link is for genuine new stub axles :y


Gotcha  :y
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 08 November 2018, 11:31:35
Well after more heat / abuse and burning out my last grinding disc i've just ordered this one off eBay for 11 quid delivered so that's on its way  :y

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-CORSA-C-00-06-O-S-OFFSIDE-REAR-BRAKE-DRUM-WITH-REAR-WHEEL-BEARING-ABS/263993331435?_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140328180637%26meid%3D76e96f376861443690dab26bbb99dcac%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D332641060445%26itm%3D263993331435&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

I'll strip it, clean it up and rebuild it with new cylinder, shoes, nail kit, drum and bearing and bolt it back to the car.


I've been led to believe that the recommended torque value for this nut is 175nm  :-\
Can anybody confirm this please ?
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: henryd on 08 November 2018, 12:55:27
Well after more heat / abuse and burning out my last grinding disc i've just ordered this one off eBay for 11 quid delivered so that's on its way  :y

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-CORSA-C-00-06-O-S-OFFSIDE-REAR-BRAKE-DRUM-WITH-REAR-WHEEL-BEARING-ABS/263993331435?_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140328180637%26meid%3D76e96f376861443690dab26bbb99dcac%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D332641060445%26itm%3D263993331435&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

I'll strip it, clean it up and rebuild it with new cylinder, shoes, nail kit, drum and bearing and bolt it back to the car.


I've been led to believe that the recommended torque value for this nut is 175nm  :-\
Can anybody confirm this please ?

Yes autodata says 175Nm as well
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 09 November 2018, 10:36:33
Well after more heat / abuse and burning out my last grinding disc i've just ordered this one off eBay for 11 quid delivered so that's on its way  :y

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-CORSA-C-00-06-O-S-OFFSIDE-REAR-BRAKE-DRUM-WITH-REAR-WHEEL-BEARING-ABS/263993331435?_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140328180637%26meid%3D76e96f376861443690dab26bbb99dcac%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D332641060445%26itm%3D263993331435&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

I'll strip it, clean it up and rebuild it with new cylinder, shoes, nail kit, drum and bearing and bolt it back to the car.


I've been led to believe that the recommended torque value for this nut is 175nm  :-\
Can anybody confirm this please ?

Yes autodata says 175Nm as well



Cheers  :y
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 13 December 2018, 14:40:53
Ello peeps  :D
Apologies for the delay in updating this but its silly season in retail and quite frankly, the cars hardly been touched  :(

Right, all the rear brakes have been totally rebuilt with new parts.
All put back together and the handbrake works perfectly but we still have major problems with what I can only describe as "No Pedal"

All the rear brakes have been drained of what little fluid was left and new Dot 4 pushed all the way through to the point of all we now get is virgin fluid and no bubbles but regardless of the engine running of not, I get no brakes (or pedal) until I have pumped the peddle down at least twice  :(
I have also bled the front callipers to the point of no air and steady fresh fluid there too.

Again the peddle is the same.  >:(
I have tried to actuate the abs pump using that code reader which shall never be mentioned by name with the reservoir cap off to see if I have a air lock in the pump but it made no difference  :(

Anybody have a clue what the problem is ?

Apologies in advance if I don't reply quickly. 
I very rarely get near the pc at the moment but I will answer asap  :)


Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: deviator on 13 December 2018, 14:56:48
Have they always felt like that?

Have anyone pushed the pistons back in without the res lid removed?
This can cause an issue with a rubber seal, it escapes me which one, I want to say master cylinder.

I tend use a compressor driven vacuum bleeder, which avoids a lot of problems. Have you tried doing a full bleed with the engine running?
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 13 December 2018, 15:07:31
Have they always felt like that?

I always use the same mot man and according to his brake testing rollers, the little corsa's brakes are better then the omega  :o :y
Brake pedal has always been firm but with very good feel  :y

Have anyone pushed the pistons back in without the res lid removed?

Not to my knowledge  :-\
This can cause an issue with a rubber seal, it escapes me which one, I want to say master cylinder.

I tend use a compressor driven vacuum bleeder, which avoids a lot of problems. Have you tried doing a full bleed with the engine running?

No
Rapidly running out of fluid / nearly 1 ltr used already

Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 14 December 2018, 12:05:27
Have they always felt like that?

Have anyone pushed the pistons back in without the res lid removed?
This can cause an issue with a rubber seal, it escapes me which one, I want to say master cylinder.

I tend use a compressor driven vacuum bleeder, which avoids a lot of problems. Have you tried doing a full bleed with the engine running?



Anymore info on this please ?

More importantly how the opps do I find out were the problem is and how do I fix it ?  :)
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: aaronjb on 14 December 2018, 12:16:06
I think, in your position, I'd be swapping the master cylinder out - as far as I know that's the only way to determine if it has failed, once you've eliminated the rest of the system, which you appear to have done.

Only other thing would be to blank off the master cylinder outputs and press the pedal, if it still required >1 press then it's definitely master cylinder - but that's just as much work as swapping it out..
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: deviator on 14 December 2018, 12:17:38
If the cap was off when the pistons where pushed back, it shouldn't be an issue. I just remember this coming up on VVOC when I was a Vectra owner.

If you are 100% happy everything bleed correctly & the new parts aren't faulty, then it leaves 3 possible places to investigate.
1. Master cylinder.
2. Servo
3. ABS Pump

Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 14 December 2018, 12:24:47
Jesus, why couldn't mini me break it in the friggin summer  ::) ;D
Its a strange one  :-\
Brakes was fist class before this.
I know he hammered the pedal when it happened basically to stop as he was reversing out of a parking spot into the road at the time  ::)

My next thought was I had air in the abs pump  :-\
If so, how do I clear it ?
I have never pulled a master cylinder apart before so reluctant to strip that first  :-\

Again, 'dangle berries' its friggin cold outside  ::) :'( :D
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 14 December 2018, 14:26:15
Usual is that the rear auto adjuster is not working and the handbrake shoes are having to travel a lot to make contact with the drums.
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: deviator on 14 December 2018, 20:19:35
Usual is that the rear auto adjuster is not working and the handbrake shoes are having to travel a lot to make contact with the drums.

Good idea! I didn't consider the obvious.
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: Nick W on 14 December 2018, 23:57:09
Usual is that the rear auto adjuster is not working and the handbrake shoes are having to travel a lot to make contact with the drums.

Good idea! I didn't consider the obvious.


It's worth considering on anything that has auto adjusters on rear drums. Which is pretty much anything designed in the last fifty years. Freeing off the adjusters was one of the first things I used to do on any Capri I had anything to do with: that instantly cured the long pedal that others had all sorts of complicated and expensive cures for.
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: henryd on 15 December 2018, 00:41:45
Pull up the handbrake and try the brakes a couple of times,if pedal becomes good then adjustment  is the answer,if not the master cylinder is probably at fault through a seal failing  :y
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 15 December 2018, 11:35:20
Just had a word with mini me who i've made do most of the work on his own car for a change  :-X
I can now confirm that both the adjusters were wound all the way back for drum fitting and i've just had a look under the handbrake to find the cable is still slackened off totally  :-[

Thanks for all the input lads and if it isn't too cold tomorrow, i'll tighten the cable and see if I can get to the adjuster via the back plate and take it from there ............  :)


Right, off to work  :'(
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 14 January 2019, 16:47:28
Ello peeps, hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year  :) :y

Another update on this sack of shite Corsa  :)
Basically due to work and the friggin cold, it wasn't touched for weeks.

After much pissing around with the rear end, I came to the conclusion that the master cylinder must be fubar'd  :(
Mini Me ordered one off eBay which due to mini me been a tit and not reading the advert properly  ::) turned out to be the wrong friggin one  >:(.
Anyway with some fine pointers from dad he ordered the correct one next time  :-X :D

That one was fitted today and everything bled AGAIN just for good measure.
The short version is we now have a very good pedal and the car now stops again  :y :y

The rear brake adjustors need winding off quite a bit because the cable is tight and the rear brakes are definitely holding on but a least things are getting there (and mini me is learning hopefully that dad isn't always going to fix his car for him  ;))

As always, thanks for the help  :-* 
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 14 January 2019, 17:15:08
Don't forget to wash the wrong master cylinder before sending it back :D
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 January 2019, 12:45:11
And there MUST be slack in the handbrake cables when released (which is a piece of piss to adjust from inside the car when the handbrake boot is removed)
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 19 January 2019, 10:04:34
Don't forget to wash the wrong master cylinder before sending it back :D




All ready collecting bubble wrap  :y ;D
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 19 January 2019, 10:10:41
And there MUST be slack in the handbrake cables when released (which is a piece of piss to adjust from inside the car when the handbrake boot is removed)


Gotcha   :y

The muppet had been tugging on the handbrake with the cable too tight in the first place and now the the bloody shoes have adjusted that far you now have no clearence in the drum at all  ::) :(

Question, can the adjuster be wound back from the back of the drum with a screwdriver OR is it drum off time ?
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: cam.in.head on 19 January 2019, 11:20:24
The adjusters inside the drum wont have gone too tight because they only move up one tooth when that tooth is available .if that makes sense .if the shoes are dragging and causing heat there is a small bimetallic expander that may have opened.
If I were you I would just back off the cable so there is some slack in it. That may be all that’s wrong.
If not ,back the cable off COMPLETELY then check drums are free to turn. Press brake pedal hard a few times with a 5 sec waiting time between. If the drums are self adjusting up you should hear a click as they go up tooth by tooth. If not they are either already up or there’s an issue inside .
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 21 January 2019, 11:55:28
The adjusters inside the drum wont have gone too tight because they only move up one tooth when that tooth is available .if that makes sense .if the shoes are dragging and causing heat there is a small bimetallic expander that may have opened.
If I were you I would just back off the cable so there is some slack in it. That may be all that’s wrong.
If not ,back the cable off COMPLETELY then check drums are free to turn. Press brake pedal hard a few times with a 5 sec waiting time between. If the drums are self adjusting up you should hear a click as they go up tooth by tooth. If not they are either already up or there’s an issue inside .


Yeh i've send mini me out complete with 10mm spanner to totally wind off the cable at the handbrake end......... 
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 22 January 2019, 12:18:56
The adjusters inside the drum wont have gone too tight because they only move up one tooth when that tooth is available .if that makes sense .if the shoes are dragging and causing heat there is a small bimetallic expander that may have opened.
If I were you I would just back off the cable so there is some slack in it. That may be all that’s wrong.
If not ,back the cable off COMPLETELY then check drums are free to turn. Press brake pedal hard a few times with a 5 sec waiting time between. If the drums are self adjusting up you should hear a click as they go up tooth by tooth. If not they are either already up or there’s an issue inside .

Plus of the cable is to tight, the adjusters don't work  :y
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 22 January 2019, 14:56:15
The adjusters inside the drum wont have gone too tight because they only move up one tooth when that tooth is available .if that makes sense .if the shoes are dragging and causing heat there is a small bimetallic expander that may have opened.
If I were you I would just back off the cable so there is some slack in it. That may be all that’s wrong.
If not ,back the cable off COMPLETELY then check drums are free to turn. Press brake pedal hard a few times with a 5 sec waiting time between. If the drums are self adjusting up you should hear a click as they go up tooth by tooth. If not they are either already up or there’s an issue inside .

Plus of the cable is to tight, the adjusters don't work  :y



Well he finally got the near side drum off to find the spring type bar which fits vertically onto the left hand shoe of which the top horizontal spring clips onto has disappeared  ::) ;D
Mini Me swears blind that he fitted it and it must have been abducted by aliens or something  :-X
Personally, I think he has clipped the spring directly onto the shoe but hey, what the break do I know  ::) ;D
Anyway, a new one has been ordered from VX and fingers crossed he can sort it when he next has a day off  :-\

I've always believed in tough love but this episode would try the patience of a saint  ;) 

We will get this side sorted and then pull the drivers side down and find out wtf is happening in there  ::) ;D
Title: Re: Corsa C rear brake problem
Post by: tigers_gonads on 26 January 2019, 17:23:59
Okay the cars back on the road with brakes this time  ;D
Pedal a little soft for my liking but it stops pretty well and in a straight line  :y
Handbrake is adjusted and will hold the car to a stall on 3 clicks  :y

I'll probably push a little more fluid threw the system when I get chance to see if I can firm up this pedal  :y

As always .............. thanks for your help lads  :)