Front Disc Brake Binding!!!!!

[woody]

Hi to all
I'm in need of some help again, The Front right disc brake is binding full on and is refusing to run free. The brake caliper is Girling. I have stripped the caliper appart and appear to have a binding slave piston. I have moved the piston in and out with the help of a 'G' clamp but it remains very hard to free up. I suspect that the piston has an 'O' ring that has gone oversize or something worse!! I am reluctant to remove the piston completely as with a knackered 'o' ring it may not be able to get back in.

I have tried to get a repair kit, or replacement 'O' ring without success to date. Has anyone had this problem and found a fix!! Knows the part number for the 'O' ring or can suggest a way forward.

The car is a Renault 4 GTL 1989

Thanks Steve

 

[malcolm]

There's a bit about all the other things that make Girling front brakes seize on here: http://www.renault4.co.uk/tech-brake-discs.htm

Do you mean the actual calliper piston itself is binding? They are normally quite free if you push them with a G clamp squarely. If not a rebuild kit might help if the end of the piston isn't rusty, but I've never tried to buy one. Motor Factors or Der Franzose might be worth a shot.

 

[woody]

Thanks for suggestions Malcolm, It is the actual piston that is binding. Can't find a rebuild kit yet!! Steve

 

[pepper]

If all else fails there are companies around that can resleeve your caliper with stainless steel, that way you don't have the problem again, especially for our older cars where they aren't used as much these days.

I know you're in the Vendee (we have a house there too) but there must be somewhere that advertises doing this job in some where like Gazoline?

There's a chap here in Suffolk that does this full time, all my Morris Oxford slave cylinders have been lined.

 

[woody]

Many thanks Pepper, I,m sure I just need the 'o' ring , If I can get one, I intend to withdraw the slave piston completly. clean everthing up and replace with the new 'o' ring. Its the new 'o' ring I've got to find!!!!
I have had no luck with the local Renault dealer, He just tells me to find a complete replacement brake caliper from a breakers but we do not seem to have many of these around here in the Vendee!! must just keep looking, but my vehicle is only usable over short distances with its binding brake'
Thanks again for your suggestions. Steve

 

[malcolm]

Here's a rebuild kit http://www.franzose.de/en/Renault/R4/Bremssattel/ANR84130/

I'd imagine it is the Girling type as Lucas took over Girling.

 

[pepper]

Woody there's three renault 4s in the scrap yard at Chantonnay if that helps? Well they were there art xmas anyway and they don't clear their yard that often. if you need directions just ask;

 

[woody]

Thanks Malc. Pepper directions please, or details I can put in the Tomtom thingy, I will go and take a look and see what I can find Thanks again ( Steve )