Sticking rear caliper

bd2012

Hi folks. 2002 a6 1.9tdi 245.000 miles.

I'm dropping the car off to the mechanic in the morning with what I think is a sticking rear driver side caliper.

Handbrake wasn't holding the car properly in the last couple of days. Came home from a short drive today and the wheel was hot and uneven pad wear (pad on drivers side more worn than those on passenger side).

Discs and pads done about 6 months ago. Just wondering what am I looking at. i.e new caliper? Or can it be adjusted? Not mechanically gifted in any way I'm afraid to say. Are parts easily got if required? Have a drive up to Dublin Wednesday that I need the car for.

Thanks.

biko

It can vary. Maybe just a good clean and regrease will be enough.
Cost of a replacement caliper can be anywhere from 50 to 150 depending.

bd2012

biko wrote: »

It can vary. Maybe just a good clean and regrease will be enough.
Cost of a replacement caliper can be anywhere from 50 to 150 depending.

Thanks man. Here's hoping. Being devils advocate here but I'm thinking a drive from Kerry to Dublin and back with said caliper sticking ain't a good idea? Hoping my guy can sort it tomorrow. Tends to have trouble sourcing parts sometimes

biko

The sticking caliper won't cause the car to burst into flames or anything but it will bring down mpg big time.
I had this exact issue myself for a while but removed caliper and cleaned it with a brush and file and greased it up good and it's working fine now.

I also filed down pads a little to allow them to move more freely inside caliper.

bd2012

biko wrote: »

The sticking caliper won't cause the car to burst into flames or anything but it will bring down mpg big time.
I had this exact issue myself for a while but removed caliper and cleaned it with a brush and file and greased it up good and it's working fine now.

Cheers. I was kinda thinking along the lines of wheel locking up or brake fluid cooking or the likes. Wheel was fairly hot and smelly after a short 10 miles today

But the bursting into flames image is a good one

biko

Yeah, don't be driving around unless you have to. It will make whatever is wrong worse.
Any local mech will be able to help you out tomorrow.

bd2012

biko wrote: »

Yeah, don't be driving around unless you have to. It will make whatever is wrong worse.
Any local mech will be able to help you out tomorrow.

Cool man. Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.

bd2012

Update- just got the car back now needed a new caliper and a pad. Another job done. Thanks for your help Biko

GTE

I had sticking rear calipers on my 2000 Golf after it being used rarely over the course of four months.

What caused the problem initially were sticking sliders on the rear caliper. I drove the car some distance which meant that the total work that had to be done was a new set of pads, cleaning of all the sliders and a replacement of one caliper as the old one got cooked.

The route of the problem may also be the handbrake. As the car was parked for so long, it may not have come fully off. On the rear calipers, there is a place to fit a handbrake spring which helps ensure the handbrake comes totally off.

Through my jaunts in the scrap yards, I noticed that Audi cars generally had these springs installed where VWs did not. It is worth checking that you have them. If so, you can probably rule out any handbrake issues as the main cause.

bd2012

bbk wrote: »

I had sticking rear calipers on my 2000 Golf after it being used rarely over the course of four months.

What caused the problem initially were sticking sliders on the rear caliper. I drove the car some distance which meant that the total work that had to be done was a new set of pads, cleaning of all the sliders and a replacement of one caliper as the old one got cooked.

The route of the problem may also be the handbrake. As the car was parked for so long, it may not have come fully off. On the rear calipers, there is a place to fit a handbrake spring which helps ensure the handbrake comes totally off.

Through my jaunts in the scrap yards, I noticed that Audi cars generally had these springs installed where VWs did not. It is worth checking that you have them. If so, you can probably rule out any handbrake issues as the main cause.

Thanks bbk.

The car hasn't been sitting up at all but i take your point re the handbrake. Also old age could be a factor. 12 years old 246,000 miles/ almost 400,000 km.

Anyhow. Jobs done for now but it is something I will be keeping an eye on

Thanks again.