Piston Seized

[curriedb]

As you gather, folks, I'm looking for a little help:

Noticed brake dust building up on my offside rear wheel last week. Checked disc after a 3 mile run and it was VERY HOT. So had a look at it today. Caliper moves on slide pin OK... but it took a wrecking bar - and all my strength - to rewind the piston one complete turn.

Cleaned everything off checked handbrake cable and reassembled. And you've guessed it: As soon as I braked in earnest the pads started sticking again! Shoppers at Tesco's carpark, in Skipton, looked a little bemused as I gave the rear wheels and discs a quick touch up!! Anyway, looks like I will be needing a replacement offside caliper.

Did a quick search - on the Club site - and didn't spot anything. Google seem pretty barren too...

Anyone out there know of a good source for a replacement? Or maybe info on a refurb kit? (2003 6 speed)

Typical egh...the sun comes out and the MR2 is holed-up in the garage !!

Any help will be appreciated!

Dave C

[BridgeMR2]

Bad luck mate - I had similar happen to mine but was lucky that I got it fixed under warranty. They seem prone to rusting up quickly... especially if the car has been sat for an extended period. You could maybe ask over at the MR2roc site - maybe someone has one lying in a garage/shed somewhere.

MR2ROC site

[curriedb]

Yep...might as well try MR2Roc as well...you never know!

Just in case any other owner suffers my misfortune...here's the first quote I've had come in from Parts-King:

"The price of a rear caliper is as follows

Caliper 278.38 retail, our price 244.97

Carriage 10.00

Sub total 254.97

VAT 38.25

Total 293.22

I'm afraid Toyota don't do an overhauled version, only new. You can buy a piston and seal kit if the housing is not too badly corroded."

[curriedb]

second quote from: cheaptoyotaparts: £259.99 - unsure if that price includes VAT & del., but I do know it isn't cheap

[curriedb]

Update

Quote from Toyota for refurb kit:

Caliper kit (enough seals for both sides) 49.04

Pistons 75.58 EACH

The above prices EXCLUDE CARRIAGE AND VAT

Have now had a couple of quotes for having the rear calipers refurbished @ circa £100 per caliper which - to me - means it's hardly worth going down the D.I.Y. refurb route...

[curriedb]

Oh dear...the saga continues. A mechanic friend rang last night to say he'd sourced one from his local motor factor. UNFORTUNATELY he hadn't taken a note of which side it's for and yes - you guessed it - "sods law" came into play IT'S THE WRONG SIDE! Anyway @ £73 (inc VAT) It makes sense to buy as SOME mechanics recommend replacing both units...

So it was back to the internet. And, hey presto I found a supplier after several hours' searching!! Refurbished unit for £104 (inc VAT). So placed order and payment went through OK.

This morning received an email headed: "order tracking info..." Great I thought it's on its way! On opening it I got a polite message from the Customer Service Manager telling me there was a mistake on the website - and they did not have the part in stock...

So, it's back to the drawing board...looks like I will end up having to take the old unit off and send it away...as the old guy in the Fast Show says: "b***er"

[Bob Brown]

This is in my cars history too, cost a previous owner £257+VAT to be fixed. Hope its not too common!

[curriedb]

For the sake of other Roadster users I hope it's not a common problem too Bob!

Anyway, after failing to get hold of a refurbished caliper I've taken my old unit off for repair. Given the weight of the part I've put it through a local motor factor - rather than pay postage costs...and it should save me a couple of days being off the road (fingers crossed). I've been quoted £80 (inc VAT) for the work.

I notice that several people on MR2 websites say that all rear calipers for the MK III Roadster are the same. However, most motor factors I spoke to said that a different caliper is listed for cars manufactured post Sept 2002. It may just be the position of a bracket that's changed. However it's worth noting...

As you can see from this thread no one was able to point me in the right direction for getting an exchange caliper.

SO, IF YOU FIND A COMPANY CURRENTLY STOCKING REAR CALIPERS FOR ROADSTERS (2003 ONWARDS) THEN PLEASE POST THE INFO HERE. IT WILL HELP OTHER MEMBERS!!

Happy motoring!

Dave C

[curriedb]

Collected my refurbished caliper yesterday tea-time - now back on the road...thanks to my local motor factor's quick turn around of the part! Was looking forward to having a run out in the Dales with the top down today...but it's raining!!

[GIDDLEPIN]

Nice one Dave

Sunny here ;)

[curriedb]

Well, Les, they say the sun shines on the righteous ;) ...it's only just made it here, today, which explains a lot :)

By the way folks, just for info, I bought new rear discs and pads from: www.Brakes4u.co.uk

They WERE NOT the cheapest supplier the last time I bought discs (set of fronts from Unipart) ; but with free postage and an extra 5% discount given by using code: s060104j they are a good starting point...

Happy motoring

Dave

[GIDDLEPIN]

Well, Les, they say the sun shines on the righteous ;) ...it's only just made it here, today, which explains a lot :)

By the way folks, just for info, I bought new rear discs and pads from: www.Brakes4u.co.uk

They WERE NOT the cheapest supplier the last time I bought discs (set of fronts from Unipart) ; but with free postage and an extra 5% discount given by using code: s060104j they are a good starting point...

Happy motoring

Dave

Surprising as it might be, the last set of discs & pads I bought were from Mr T :o they worked out cheaper than any of the motor factors ;)

[curriedb]

...Steps back in amazement!

It's strange how prices can vary Les. My last pair of front discs cost just under £40 (inc VAT!) from Unipart. OK so they were bought nearly two-years-ago.

However, this time round the two rear discs cost around £85 (inc VAT) and Unipart were even dearer! A friend - who is a mechanic tried his local motor factor for me - and was quoted £64 for each disc!!

I, initially, tried the supplier you used a couple of years ago (the one where you have to email your details for a quote!). Their current price is £100 per pair. If my memory serves me right you paid around £85 INCLUDING a set of pads! Looks like RAMPANT inflation is alive and kicking - despite the recession

(DBC's advice on how to avoid your business suffering during the recession = sell less charge more!)

So, SHOP AROUND is certainly the best policy...but I must say I didn't think to contact Mr T!!

Cheers

Dave

[curriedb]

Anyone unfortunate to suffer a seized piston in a caliper could try here - for starters - for refurbed units. I found this site AFTER I'd sorted my problem out...

Hope it helps someone: http://www.toyota.car-brakes.co.uk/#

Happy motoring

Dave :)