Freeing up seized calipers (NOT the handbrake mech!)

[tony_ack]

My OSR caliper appears to be stuck partially on. It is slightly noticable when driving and the MPG is suffering a bit. I thought it was the handbrake mech at first as that's a common problem, but the mech appears to move freely. When I lever between the pad and disc to free up the disc, it will lock again whether I use the handbrake or footbrake, so I've ruled out the handbrake mech.

Any idea of how to free up the caliper? I've got some secondhand MK3 calipers coming soon, but I was hoping to get a short term fix as I need to travel on Monday.

[richard s]

unbolt the 2 13mm bolts on the caliper and see if your sliders are still sliding ok
as for the handbrake are you sure they arent siezed have a look if there is any play on the cable where the cable attaches to the arm
if there is get a hammer and some wd40 spray the arm where it goes into the caliper and keep tapping the arm up and down till it is springing back on its own and that should be good for a week or two thats what works for mine

[rubjonny]

i had this on my mk2 after it had been stood for a year. all it was was crud & rust where the pads slide on the carriers. took the callipers off cleaned up where the pads slide along the carriers then gave it a nice coat of copper grease and it was as good as gold again.