Scottish Elises

Car unfortunately failed MoT this morning because handbrake wasn't working on driver side. Looks like the calipers' had it. I believe the rear caliper is the same as that from a Mk 1 Laguna. Does anyone know what the (Renault) part number is for a new rear caliper ?

Your advice would be much appreciated....

Garry

Very interested in the response to this as my car nearly failed on the same thing but the friendly mot'er said it was just within tolerance.
I have done a wee bit of research (SELOC Techwiki) and a refurb seems a possibility but I think it could be a bit hit or miss. Seems like a job for the winter as if it doesn't go according to plan it could mean the car being off the road whilst parts are sourced.

The pads are the same but i think the caliper is a much higher spec. If you can't adjust it or free it off then get a seal kit and refurbish it.

Always fancied making a set of brake calipers if anyone has a set of drawings I can "play" with it could be nice to see them

Quick update....

Sourced a rear caliper from a c1998 Renault Laguna (2.0ltr, non-abs) from my local factors - cost £110, against £250 from Lotus. It's a refurb job, but the seals etc are all new, the body of the caliper has been blasted and, to be honest, I don't know if there'd be any difference between an exchange part and brand new (which I think the £250 Lotus part was)....

Anyway, the guy who does my mechanical stuff (me being inept at such things !) is pretty sure it'll fit fine. He's probably going to do the job later today.

I shall let you know what the outcome is !!

Thanks for your help so far....

Please do - there has been confusion for some time about just what part the rear caliper is... Some folk tell you it's the Laguna one, some folk claim to have tried seals from and they didn't fit.

Would be good to have the definitive story.

Shug - will do. I intend to take photos of the new part before it's fitted. On the assumption that it does work out, I'll post the pictures at that stage, along with any comments from my mechanic. Have to say, the new caliper will certainly make things look nicer at the rear - the existing caliper looks grotty ! Of course, that means I might need to get one for the other side...!!!

Garry

keen to hear about this as well, as I'm gonna need at least 1 new caliper at the next brake fluid change. combination of torn boot, and seized bleed nipple on the near side.....

incidentally, can you drill the bleed nipple out and heli-coil it??

get it nice and hot first before WMD-ing it, it should come out eventually...

I would not helicoil it, it'll never seal under the hyd pressure.

RICHARDHUMBLE wrote:get it nice and hot first before WMD-ing it, it should come out eventually...

I would not helicoil it, it'll never seal under the hyd pressure.

cheers

The Ali will expand more than the nipple freeing it off. Apply the heat the the nipple and it will also get to work on the siezed bits of the thread too. Remember that ali melts at a relatively low temp though....

Brake fluid will be truely fecked after though, also make sure that you remove the flame before trying the nipple, hot brake fluid will be fun with flames about...

(Of if you donb't, at least have the decency to film it for YouTube)

RICHARDHUMBLE wrote:
(Of if you donb't, at least have the decency to film it for YouTube)

Oh yes - chop chop Tom :thumsbup

In my experience this problem is with a seized handbrake cable, not the caliper...

Ironside recently found a caliper re-furbishers called biggred http://www.biggred.co.uk/

Also, EBC do a re-con service as well.

Brunty

As promised, I wanted to get back to you with the outcome of my S2 rear caliper saga......!

When I left you, I had just collected a Mk1 Laguna rear caliper, which appeared (at first glance) to fit the bill. Unfortunately, this proved not to be the case - it was not the right part ! My friendly mechanic then went to the local factors himself with the original (Lotus) caliper and went through a number of possible candidates from the Renault Laguna. Again, nothing seemed to fit the bill - either wrong "shape" or the caliper wasn't wide enough to accomodate the disc & pads. To that end, I am therefore unable to add anything to the "which rear caliper from a Laguna is it ?" debate.

Eventually, I bought one from MMC for an eye-watering £220 ! That did include a set of pads, mind you !

However, the story doesn't end there. After fitting the new caliper, my friendly mechanic still wasn't happy with the performance of the handbrake. Turns out the handbrake cable was siezed on the side that was causing the problem. That cost me a further £22 (that's more like it !).

As of today, the car is now operating perfectly, although can't get it MoT retested until Thursday. What I'm left wondering is whether I needed a new caliper at all - or just a hanbrake cable !!

One original (rather rusty !) offside caliper and set of OEM rear pads available to a good home.....!

Garry