Saturday, August 25, 2007

Brakes


Type 2 brakes
Originally uploaded by Phil_Parker.
Fixing a squeaky brake is supposed to be an easy job. In essence you take the brake calliper to bits, clean the pads and pistons and put it back together. Total time just over an hour.

Taking the brake to bits was easy enough. The pads took a little levering to get them out but nothing major.

The problems started when I pushed the brake pedal to extend the pistons. These came out and we duly cleaned. All I had to do is lever them back into place and finish re-assembly. But they wouldn’t go in.

I levered and pushed. Bashing a screwdriver in worked a little but the best I’ve been able to get them in is about 5mm – not enough to put a pad in place. Even loosening the bleed screw to reduce the pressure doesn’t work.

So the next plan is to remove the calliper and get a G-clamp on the pistons to pull them back in. Of course the two bolts (19mm if you are contemplating the job) are seized so the van now stands broken again. And every few hours I soak the bolt heads in penetrating oil.

No comments: