Front brakes - 1986 Maestro 1.3LE

[Peter Davies]

On a 30mile journey last night the car felt sluggish, so I checked the wheels on arriving home. Both back wheels were cold but the front wheels very hot, viz binding brakes BOTH sides.

I renewed the rear shoes about a fortnight ago, but cannot think how that would effect/apply the front callipers; anyway yesterday was the first time I noticed a problem.

The car was recently MOT'd when there is always a possibility of master cylinder problems due to the abnormal amount of force applied during the test. But then I would expect ALL brakes to bind if that was the problem.

Any ideas?

Peter

[MaestroMatt]

Very odd, that - could be seized callipers. Although you would expect callipers to seize every now and then on a car of this age (I had it happen on a 1.3L of mine which is what makes me think of it), it would be odd for them to both seize at once although I suppose it is possible during, as you say, the excessive pressure applied at MoT. I would see if you can ease the callipers backwards with some big pliers (those ones plumbers use) - if you can't then they may be seized and need renewing (the parts are fairly cheap from Lucas although you can get an assembly with disc, pads and calliper on from Ledbury for £35 per side - ask F153 JUE for details).

[E_T_V]

Seized calipers seem most likely and should be easy to fix. Copper grease is your friend. I lubricate everything with it as it doesn't seize or wash off and doesn't melt either. A tip for those with brakes that squeal is to coat the back of the pads with it to reduce or eliminate the noise.

Another possibility is air in the system, and duff seals in the master cylinder
Air expands when it heats so applying pressure to the pads. this pressure should be released by the seals in the mastercylinder but if the pedal does not sit right at the top or the seals are knackered (sometimes turned inside out), then this pressure isn't released and so the brakes bind. I beleive a certain race maestro had this problem not long ago or something similar.

On a more flippant note you don't live at the bottom of a big hill do you? Then they are bound to be hot when you get home as mine often are!

[tony]

Originally posted by Peter Davies
On a 30mile journey last night the car felt sluggish, so I checked the wheels on arriving home. Both back wheels were cold but the front wheels very hot, viz binding brakes BOTH sides.

I renewed the rear shoes about a fortnight ago, but cannot think how that would effect/apply the front callipers; anyway yesterday was the first time I noticed a problem.

The car was recently MOT'd when there is always a possibility of master cylinder problems due to the abnormal amount of force applied during the test. But then I would expect ALL brakes to bind if that was the problem.

Any ideas?

Peter
did you bleed the back brakes at all or just change the shoes?
i would check the front ones to see if they are siezed at all, but bleed all 4 wheels ,if you haven changed the fluid in a while now would be a good time to do that as well

[Simon]

Sometimes worn brake pads that are starting to break up can give these symptoms, and that is what happened on my Rover 214. The front wheels were as hot as hell, so hot in fact that I thought a tyre might blow. A change of pads cured it, so check yours.

[Peter Davies]

Thanks for the help. I have checked the front callipers which were fine.

However, when taking the top off the reservoir, brake fluid spilled out, which makes sense when thinking through the history of the car.

It was my mother-in-law's, and rather than scrap it when she stopped driving at 88, we took it over. 15 years old, 31000 miles on clock.

Within the last year I have replaced the original pads as the brake material was corroding off the pad back. Then two weeks ago I replaced the original rear shoes. Car has now covered 42000.

Seems to me that the fluid level has been topped up over the last 15 years as the brakes have worn and renewing the pads and shoes has created a slight pressure in the system.

And no, I haven't changed the fluid as a matter of course and never have done in forty years of motoring, although I have often generously added new fluid whenever the brakes need bleeding. I belong to the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it school', BUT I am responsible and don't ignore any signs of trouble, be it at the brake pedal or wherever on the car. The moment I have any sponginess or abnormal brake performance the matter is tackled. Lives depend on it.

Everything seems fine now, but it may be a week or so before I travel 30 miles again and can test it properly.