Rear Brake Sticking, Turns Out It's A Leak

[peterc.lewis@blueyonder.co.uk]

I seem to have a small leak from one side of a rear brake piston/cuylinder. It's the one at the top of the drum brake. The pads are due to be changed soon anyway so I can do both at the same time. The one side is slightly contaminated. I've cleaned it all out but obviously need to get this done soon.

Car is a 98 1.8 GS Estate. I am a reasonably competant (if slow) mechanic.

Anyone got any thoughts? Is it just a case of replacing the seal ?

The handbrake was not releasing on the contaminated side , that lead me to have a quick look and remove the pads for a good look, clean and regrease.

Cheers.

[Q.S.]

I seem to have a small leak from one side of a rear brake piston/cuylinder. It's the one at the top of the drum brake. The pads are due to be changed soon anyway so I can do both at the same time. The one side is slightly contaminated. I've cleaned it all out but obviously need to get this done soon.

Car is a 98 1.8 GS Estate. I am a reasonably competant (if slow) mechanic.

Anyone got any thoughts? Is it just a case of replacing the seal ?

The handbrake was not releasing on the contaminated side , that lead me to have a quick look and remove the pads for a good look, clean and regrease.

Cheers.

I would say if you need to ask, don't do it yourself, not where brakes are concerned.

You quote a Drum but then refer to 'pads', drum brakes have shoes, disc brakes have pads.

If it's a drum brake as you say, you need to fit a new wheel cylinder (and possibly the other side too) and a new set of rear brake shoes (once they are contaminated, they are ruined) Clean out both drums thoroughly with brake cleaner before refitting. Then bleed the brakes when the drums are back in place.

[peterc.lewis@blueyonder.co.uk]

Got a new rear cylinder and replaced the old one (£20). Cleaned it all out and replaced the "shoes" . It looks like the leaking brake fluid was causing the brake "shoe" to come apart in what looked like fur.

Bled the brakes, put it all back together having FORGOTTEN to adjust the adjustment wheels so off with the wheel and hub and get busy with the screwdriver.

Having removed the central console to be able to slacken the handbrake right off (and thereby finding the two screws I dropped down there when I did the stereo a fwe months ago), the whole job took just over two hours . Not fast but I tend to check and recheck.

I agree that this is not a job to do if you haven't a clue . As I said I am a competant enough mechanic so not a job I was too worried about. Even if I couldn't get the names of the parts right .

Did have to use my 10 LB axe rather than the two handed one to get the wheel nuts loose though :)