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Seized near side caliper/piston

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civicric84

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Oxford
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Accord CU1
Hi,

After some advice. I had a B service (visual inspection) carried out at honda today. No problems other than the above. Rear discs and pads were changed about 2 weeks ago. The rear piston was slightly difficult to push back, although I didn't have the correct tool..oops. However, after a few rotations it did retract and was easy there after. Brakes have been fine and didnt appear to be sticking.

Honda today have said the rear n/s caliper is sticking which is likely to be piston. The black corrosion protection paint on the disc has discoloured and turned grey I guess due to the increased heat/friction. Honda had quoted £550 not including VAT for parts and labour. When I collected the car I asked about rebuild kits and if this is somthing they could do. They said yes and quoted £230, but onvioisly failed to mention this cheaper option. I refused to pay for the caliper replacement and they said it should be ok for the short term but get it looked at soon.

So i am thinking about cleaning the piston whilst on the car without removing it. So my question is what can I use to clean piston and unseize it?? Any hints/tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Richard.
 
Quite a lot of caliper refurb companies around, like these guys
http://www.biggred.co.uk/index.php
Ask them for a quote

The rubber seals have gone on the piston, letting water in, so its rusted and got sticky. Even if you free if off, it will rust again unless you change the caliper seals.
It's also dragging on costing you more fuel.
 
Thanks. When I changed the discs and pads the rubber seals all looked intact though?? Very frustrating. If I take of the caliper and wind it out I can use brake cleaner can't I? But brake fluid and wd40 are a big no no!
 
Had a look on big red. The rear piston doesn't look the same as original. It doesn't have the cross on the face. How much are the rebuild kits from HH?
 
Please may i ask a question on the same subject.

My rear calipers have been siezed in the past. Every half a year or so I have just been working them back in (and out). But now one of the seals is fully naffed so i pulled it off and threw some grease around the piston to protect from water ingress. Done the job for the mo and in the meanwhile i got a quote from online (the break caliper specialists for around £130 with 2 year warranty for both...

Jusy noticed bigred on this thread now though and that i can get the rebuild kits from them. So the question is, has anyome done this as a diy or is it best left to the pros...

Ps. I am a cycle mechanic and normally do alot of my car work too (with help from here and AOC)...

THANKS for any replies.. the price from HH would be good too for the rebuild kit (if anyone knows)
 
The answer to that q from
civicric84 said:
If I wind the piston out am I going to get brake fluid leaking out the caliper??
Click to expand...
is: if you were to push it back in then you'd need to ensure you open your reservoir lid. However if you mean to push the piston fully out theb the answer would again be no unless there was a leak or hole in the system. Its due to the same principles used in syphoning (ie. If the system is closed then opening ine end , without air getting in at the other end then the fluid shouldn't fall out of a pipe... make sure the break reservoir lid is closed though... again: IMOH
 
Like Rich I've found the easiest option is a refurbished caliper for £70-odd on an exchange basis from someone like Big Red or Brakepartssuperstore - and there are a few others online. A DIY rebuild is cheaper but more hassle.
 
civicric84 said:
If I wind the piston out am I going to get brake fluid leaking out the caliper??
Click to expand...
You'd have to clamp the brake hose and then disconnect it from the caliper to prevent loosing fluid and lots of air in the system.

Are you sure you know what you're doing, dont mess with brakes, its everyones safety.
 
Result!! Purchased a proper piston rewind tool and some big red silicone lube. Cleaned piston with brake cleaner and carefully lifted the boot and cleaned it out. Then used the lube to lightly coat sleeve of piston and the boot. Wound it in and pushed it out a few times. Moves so much easier now and no longer sticks. Took for a test drive no problems and not over heating. Fingers crossed it holds up.
 
Thanks. Well chuffed. Car is having MOT next week and have mentioned this to garage so will see if things are ok. Thanks for everyone's input/advice.
 
I've got this now, my N/S passenger rear caliper is sticking, wheel is hot, you can smell burning etc. Car is 7 years old 75k miles. Looks like this is a weak spot on the Accord.

Honda have quoted me £90 for a refurb caliper, £160 fitted, plus new rear pads £105.
 
richsprint said:
I've got this now, my N/S passenger rear caliper is sticking, wheel is hot, you can smell burning etc. Car is 7 years old 75k miles. Looks like this is a weak spot on the Accord.

Honda have quoted me £90 for a refurb caliper, £160 fitted, plus new rear pads £105.
Click to expand...
Have had the same in mine Rich for a wile now.
I cleaned my rear brakes up and so far it's been ok.
Btw the 8th gen saloon calipers are the same as the 7th gen tourer with related problems
 
Snap, same here....

NS Rear getting super hot and also very smelly.
Cleaned the caliper up re-grease etc and all fine so far (after 2 weeks anyway)
 
That's the exact problem I had. The bad thing was it happened not long after I fitted new discs and pads. So when it over heated its discoloured the black protective coating on the lip. So now it looks like I had old discs again lol. But problem was easily solved by cleaning out the piston boot greasing things up and gently winding it in and pushing it out. Sweet as a nut now and been 2 months with no problems. Happened on both sides at rear.
 
Mine was quite solid also. Just had to persevere with it keep winding it in and pushing back out, cleaning parts and lubing then up.
 
£90 for a refurbished caliper is not a bad price Rich.
Is this directly from Honda
 
Thats a refurb caliper for £90, just from their parts supplier.

A new Honda one is £450!!!!!!
 
This is quite a common problem on the 8th gen.
There's a chap over on Honda Karma who has paid £850 for genuine disks pads and a rear caliper!
My £250 sounds reasonable in comparison.
 
Car in today for the brake work.

Got a Civic hatch 1.6 iDtec. Nippy car, feels a lot more nimble than an Accord, the 1.6 iDtec is very torquey. Nice short throw gearchange also, good quality materials inside, DAB radio etc.

You do seem to sit quite high up, as the fuel tank is under the front seat area. ALso the steering wheel doesnt adjust up very far, they seems to have gone the Peugeot style, small wheel, in your lap, so you can see the dials up above.

Overall impressive.
 
Rear caliper and pads changed £250 all in as promised. Thanks Blade Honda Gloucester. No more hot wheel now......until the other side fails...ha ha
 
Good feedback Rich
 
Why so cheap?? Honda kindlington were quoting me £500 odd without vat or labour to replace rear caliper.
 
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