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[Impact Pete]

Think I know the answer to this but before I change anything just checking!!

Part of MOT failure was brake imbalance, found a very stiff caliper on front offside, when this happened on my old astra I bought a service kit with new piston and seals.
Is this the best route? I assume if I stripped and cleaned old parts they will last a few weeks before rusting up?

[neilr]

try checking the slides first before removing pistons easier fix just remove them clean and lubricate i wont suggest anything as it causes debate

[dbug]

Agreed check the slides first - easy to do and no cost fix 

[osealy]

Changed discs and pads just before christmas. Discovered one slide was seized solid. Tried everything it eventually sheared. Had to rob caliper holder off spare car. So be warned if you need to drive to work next day.
I'd like to know the name of the part the caliper sliders fit into so I can get my backup car going again.

[Impact Pete]

Agreed check the slides first - easy to do and no cost fix 

Hi what do you mean by the slides? I may well call them something else and already be doing that.

[neilr]

Agreed check the slides first - easy to do and no cost fix 

Hi what do you mean by the slides? I may well call them something else and already be doing that.

the slides are the bolts with the rubber concertina boots on them. hope this helps

[Impact Pete]

Agreed check the slides first - easy to do and no cost fix 

Hi what do you mean by the slides? I may well call them something else and already be doing that.

the slides are the bolts with the rubber concertina boots on them. hope this helps

Thought that was what you meant, no they are fine, perfect working, the piston/caliper with rubber boot on is the slightly seized bit.

[Andy H]

Until I started driving Carltons & Omegas I often fitted new seals to brake calipers.

Most of the calipers have chrome plated pistons. Once the chrome gets pitted or starts to flake off then there isn't much point in fitting new seals unless you also fit new pistons. If you do fit new seals it is essential to get the groove that the seal sits in absolutely clean before fitting the new seal(s).

The Omega has a protective gaiter over the piston. Most of my other cars and motorbikes didn't have these which is why the chrome gets pitted and flakes off.

For your piston to have seized I suspect that either the gaiter has split or old brake fluid has absorbed water and promoted corrosion inside the caliper.

If youre pistons are clean and undamaged there is no reason why they shouldn't last the life of the car if you fit new seals (with a little 'red rubber grease') and change the fluid occasionally.

I did once buy a seal kit for the rear calipers on my Carlton but didn't have to fit it because the problem was that the pads had rusted in to the caliper, the pistons were still moving freely.

HTH

[Impact Pete]

Slightly Baffled now...

Stripped caliper down, after leaving it overnight for penetrating fluid to work I pushed hard on piston of caliper and it moved instantly, took piston slider out and not a single pit on it or inside caliper.
 :-?

[Impact Pete]

Rebuilt caliper, re attached, bled system and all working perfectly....

Will have to monitor it assumming it now passes it's mot!