Front brakes seized on!!!

[DANNY 52]

The O/S/F brake has seized on my 89' 1.2 Nova (74,000 miles), I had the discs and pads replaced last July so I am putting it down to a hose or a caliper. I don't know much about brake caliper replacement to be honest but I would like to know if there is a repair kit for the piston or whether there is a general problem with the calipers at a certain age or mileage? Also would I be best off replacing both fronts at the same time? Thanks for any response you can give. Danny 52:thumb:

[Ben]

I imagine they are original nova 1.2 items, try and find some cheap cheap 256mm astra/cavalier gsi brakes if you have 15" wheels or some nova gte/gsi ones if smaller.

[Adam]

They will be old Delco calipers with pins, they always seize on...

Better off fitting the brakes off a later nova, with ATE's

[DANNY 52]

Ok thanks for the advice.

[DANNY 52]

I am currently running 14's but I was looking to get larger wheels. Looks like it will be soon rather than later...thanks for the help.

[jimbob-mcgrew]

id probably take the wheel off, undo the caliper retaining bolts and knock the caliper away from the disc with a hammer, then get a big ass pair of grips on the piston and work it in and out with use of brake pedal and big grips, should free it

[DANNY 52]

I took the wheel off today and have taken out the pads and disc, so I will have a go and try to get the piston working with the aid of some brake cleaner. Thanks for your help.

[MattBrown]

You say you had discs and pads fitted, don't take this to heart.

Brakes are only to be messed with if your 100% able to, if you didnt fancy changing the disks and pads, I seriously advise against breaking into the hydraulics, as any sort of "Fk up" can lead to a serious accident!

Get them fitted properly fella:thumb:

[DANNY 52]

I agree with you 100% Matt as I have never fancied messing with the brakes before on other cars, but I have been reading the Haynes manual religiously and feel I could do the discs and pads fine...its just this caliper issue. I am going to clean the caliper and all brake components aswell as the rods and shocks/springs within the arch as they are all filthy and covered in gunk. If this does not sort the binding I will take it to a mechanic. Thanks for your feedback...but I would not mess with the brakes too much as I carry by kids in the car. Thanks again.

[MattBrown]

No probs fella, I did it on a motox bike when alot smaller, ill leave it at the wall hurt!


So did telling my dad I had bent the forks lol

[DANNY 52]

Just to update...I have sorted the caliper problem by taking out the pads and discs then cleaning, wire brushing, cleaning, wire brushing and working the piston in and out which did the trick so it must have been full of crap which I have now removed. I even went into OCD mode and cleaned the wheel arch including the shocks, wishbone, anti roll bar etc. I might do the other side tomorrow (weather permiting). Anyway thanks to all the gave me advice. Danny