New Discs & Pads, Handbrake Still Rubbish??

[krisavant]

As title, renewed all discs and pads and my handbrake is still rubbish, it's so bad I cannot use it on the slightest of hills.
Anyone with some knowledge on the b6 braking system could help?

(Off subject also, changed temp sensor and stat this week and what a difference in car and fuel).
If it ain't sitting at 90 or just under, change them.

 

[jimmyb592]

Are the caliper pivots working propperly?

 

[Mike.M]

Either need the brakes bleeding or the rear calipers have seized solid......had to change both on the wifes Mk5 golf recently, but hers were stuck on.

 

[krisavant]

Are the caliper pivots working propperly?

Yes the pivots/sliders are all working fine.

 

[krisavant]

Either need the brakes bleeding or the rear calipers have seized solid......had to change both on the wifes Mk5 golf recently, but hers were stuck on.

My rear drivers side wheel does got hit after a drive but I've checked and stripped the calliper and everything moves freely.
Could it be something to do with handbrake itself?

 

[krisavant]

My rear drivers side wheel does got hit after a drive but I've checked and stripped the calliper and everything moves freely.
Could it be something to do with handbrake itself?

*hot

 

[AudiLeon]

Park on flat ground, apply handbrake, put foot on top edge of each rear tyre and push forwards. See if the disc moves through the caliper. When you find the side that does. Look under and you'll see the hand brake lever on the caliper is fully applied. This is your knackered caliper.

 

[Mike.M]

Sounds like a seized caliper to me. My wife's rear alloys were really hot due to the brakes being seized on all the time.

I had stripped the calipers down and rebuilt them but had to replace them in the end and been fine ever since.

 

[krisavant]

Thanks for the info guys.
I think the calliper has had its days, when I parked up yesterday I could smell the brake burning and it was smoking, even the alloy was really hot.
New calliper it is then.

 

[spartacus 68]

Doesn't necessarily need to be a new caliper. Anyone handy with tools then a rebuild with Big Redd seals, and handbrake adjustment can transform the brakes. I'd replace the brake fluid too. If you are replacing, then ensure you replace both rear calipers for new exchange units from Audi.

More details here if you opt to rebuild. http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/inside-the-rear-caliper-of-a-b5-a4.182572/

 

[krisavant]

Thanks Spartacus.

The only thing that's bugging me is that this only started happening after I replaced the discs and pads??

 

[Cobra88]

Hi Kris

It happens when the handbrake adjustment gets disturbed.
If the mechanism is sticky it will leave you with crap handbrake after you fit all the new bits.

 

[Mike.M]

The piston was most probably corroded due to being out far on worn pads for a while. and when wound back in the rust etc got the piston stuck.....seized caliper.

As mentioned you can rebuild and have done so myself in the past, but find it comes back

New caliper for peace of mind and less messing about too In my opinion.

 

[spartacus 68]

As mentioned, fitting the new pads and discs didn't cause the issue. The rear calipers were probably an issue months ago. You will have had to rewind the piston to fit the new pads, that probably did it. It could be there is corrosion there, damaged 'o' ring seal, etc.

All in if you opt to rebuild you can do it for £50 or so, that's £30 for Bigg Red seal kit, a litre of DOT4 brake fluid, and £10 for tool to remove circlip. Assuming you have tools, decent grease for handbrake mechanism such as Starbrite, and you lube slider pins with Lockheed Red Grease then the rebuilt is perfectly acceptable versus cost of exchange units.