What Is It With Front Calipers?

[ESL57]

Why are they so crap?   These were recon units and now the handbrake mech will not work on one of them. You can pull the cable to full on and lever moves, but no braking. I can turn disc with my hand.

   Now have all the pallaver of exchanging old one for new and the hassle it brings with deposit etc.

      Anyone opened that mech up?  My caliper is spot on except for handbrake.

I was going to get an old caliper to mess with but scrappy wants £25....nope!

[paul.h]

http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/7552-replacing-front-brake-pads-c5-to-2008/

 

http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/6901-c5-bleeding-brakes-and-replacing-front-brake-caliper/

 

The above topics are worth reading if not already done. You have to follow specific procedures when replacing the front brake calipers to avoid the handbrake not working. If replacing the pads the pedal needs to be used to adjust the caliper before the handbrake cable is connected back up.

 

coastline taxis has posted on how to free a seized handbrake lever http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/15045-seized-caliper-fix/# . I have now pinned this topic and included it in the Common Problems topic. You could also send him a message since he often has spare parts.

[ESL57]

Thanks Paul.

[ESL57]

Well after doing all the stuff in sticky, yes my handbrake mech was stiff.  However, what has happened is that the plate that goes over the splined pinion is worn with no splines left on it.  The plate has obviously been turning on the stiff shaft every time handbrake has been operated.  Should there be splines in the plate, or is there a bit missing?

    I have driven the plate over the pinion and I will put two tack welds on to hold it.  I  don't see any other way. less I can get a good plate with splines.  The hand brake  pinion can be turned with mole grips now and it gives pressure to stop wheel turning.