Leaky Brake Caliper (on a GOlf)

johnboy_78 · Post by **johnboy_78** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 9:10 am

Not sure if this should be here, but I'll ask anyway

Having problems with our rear caliper on our Mk4 Golf. Details are here: http://www.vx220.org.uk/forums/index.ph ... opic=50894
Anyone had similar problems or able to offer any pointers. I'd be most grateful for any assistance.

John

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:11 am

Jack it up take the wheel off and give it a damn good degrease

Then stick a willing body in the drivers seat start the engine and get them to push like buggery on the brakes. Once you know where the leak is it gets alot easier to fix

johnboy_78 · Post by **johnboy_78** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:15 am

Cheers! - sounds like a plan. Off to Halfrauds tonight for some degreaser

And then I've got a wife that will happily fulfill the role of "willing volunteer/body!"

Brunty · Post by **Brunty** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:49 am

I've not heard of the hose washer leak before. But Goodridge hose kits use copper washers...

I have had a rear caliper similar to the Mk4 Golf caliper develop a leak for no apparent reason, the leak appeared to come from the handbrake mech iirc. I just replaced the caliper. You can find them on ebay, or euro car parts do them on an exchange basis.

Brunty

johnboy_78 · Post by **johnboy_78** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:13 pm

Brunty - it's hard to see where the leak comes from at the moment as mentioned, but it could be the handbrake mechanism, or the pipe where the brake hose joins the caliper, or somewhere completely different!

The hose leak is apprently a well known fault on older Mk4 Golfs, and is due to an aluminium washer being used where the hose joins the caliper (replacement hose kits still come with alu washers too!!).

I'll know more once i've degreased the whole thing and had a play around.

Thanks

Tim S · Post by **Tim S** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:39 pm

John

We had similar problem on our 99 Seat Toledo - same as a Golf underneath. On that, the brake pipe sprung a leak where it joins the caliper.

Wife was driving at the time. Not far from home so when she knew there was a problem drove home slowly using handbrake. When she parked up the brake fluid was dripping onto the ground.

Got a new pipe and fitted and has been OK since.

Tim

johnboy_78 · Post by **johnboy_78** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:29 pm

Tim - sounds exactly like our problem, wife driving and everyting! Onnly reason my wife knew she had a problem was because the warning light on the dash came on, but oddly, the brakes still seem ok, no sponginess or anything and the leak is only a very slight drip that leaves a small damp patch when left overnight.

Plan to have a look at it tonight or tomorrow.

Brunty · Post by **Brunty** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 9:28 pm

A small damp patch when left overnight

Where's Shug?

johnboy_78 · Post by **johnboy_78** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 9:58 pm

johnboy_78 · Post by **johnboy_78** » Tue May 01, 2007 8:48 am

Managed to find the source of the leak at the weekend. It's coming from the join between the rubber brake haose and the caliper where the two bolt together. Just need to order the new part and then get it fitted.

Anyone know if there are any online diagrams of a Golf/Seat rear caliper that I could look at before starting the work

Cheers,

John

Brunty · Post by **Brunty** » Tue May 01, 2007 9:02 am

Don't think you really need a diagram for that!

You'll need something like an 11mm and 14mm spanner

Brunty

johnboy_78 · Post by **johnboy_78** » Tue May 01, 2007 9:24 am

Brunty - thanks. I see how that end of the pipe attaches to the caliper, but how does the other end of the flexi hose fix to the metal brake pipe:?:

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue May 01, 2007 9:58 am

Magic...

And another union, requiring spanners....

johnboy_78 · Post by **johnboy_78** » Tue May 01, 2007 10:01 am

RICHARDHUMBLE wrote:Magic...

johnboy_78 · Post by **johnboy_78** » Wed May 09, 2007 3:50 pm

Having purchased a new flexi hose, I proceeded to fit it last weekend (ensuring that i clamped the rubber brake hose beneath the car before starting - car side of the new hose) and then pressure bled the rear passenger side caliper afterwards. This process all went to plan and as expected there was some air in the caliper after fitting the new hose (fluid ran clear after 30 seconds or so of bleeding with a Gunson Eezibleed).

Unfortunately now the pedal in the car is really soft and spongy and you need to press it fairly far before the brakes apply - but when they do, they seem to work effectively It seems as if there is air in the system, but I cannot understand how it could be anywhere other than at the caliper where the new hose was fitted (fluid never fell below the max level before or during the bleeding process)

It has been suggested that both rear calipers might need bled at the same time, or that there might be air in the ABS unit (but I can't see how that would be possible). I have also tried bleeding all calipers just in case (no air found that way), although I couldn't bleed the front drivers side caliper as the nipple is completely rounded off.

Sorry for the long post, but i would be grateful for any suggestions as to how to get the air out

Many thanks

John