Author Topic: Mk3 rear caliper issue  (Read 3242 times)

Offline ImIMK3

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Mk3 rear caliper issue
« on: 05 February 2015, 16:25 »
Hello all. I recently received my new brake pads front and rear. I took it to my local garage to install and they advised the fronts have gone in with no issues however they were unable to get the rear caliper off as the bolts were too rusty. Can someone advise what will be the next course of action to remove please?

Offline gasketface

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Re: Mk3 rear caliper issue
« Reply #1 on: 05 February 2015, 17:40 »
If it's just the rear pads that you are having fitted then i would take it to a garage that knows what it is doing as they are simple to change.The 2 bolts that hold the caliper to the caliper bracket are unlikely to seize.

BUT,if they are replacing the rear discs at the same time then they are likely to have found seized bracket mounting bolts which are cap screw type as opposed to the 8mm/13mm spanner size that are used to hold the caliper to it's bracket.

To replace the discs AND pads they will need to remove the caliper and it's bracket.if it's just the pads then the bracket stays where is is.

The caliper mounting bracket bolts (cap screws) are notorious for seizing and can be a pain to remove.If you start to do this job without being aware of this issue it is quite easy to round off the bolts allen key shape which leaves you having to drill them out,cut

Offline madmanmart

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Re: Mk3 rear caliper issue
« Reply #2 on: 05 February 2015, 17:42 »
As above, next course of action should be finding a better garage.


Mk3 Golf 3dr GTI 16v
Mk3 Golf Cabriolet TD
20vt Corrado track car project

Offline gasketface

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Re: Mk3 rear caliper issue
« Reply #3 on: 05 February 2015, 17:50 »
..... Oops,hit wrong button !.

I'm surprised that your garage cannot deal with this,they should be able to sort this problem with easily.

Another way to get them out is to find a suitable "Torx" type socket that is slightly smaller than the head of the cap screw.Fit it to a short extension bar and hammer it on to the head of the cap screw,nice and straight with a club hammer,apply heat with a blow lamp (pouring the hot contents of a boiled kettle or using a hot air gun will assist anyone trying this at home  :smiley:).

A competent garage would have oxy set up to do this.They could even burn the heads off as a last resort.

Sounds like your garage has lost the plot  :whistle:

Offline ImIMK3

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Re: Mk3 rear caliper issue
« Reply #4 on: 05 February 2015, 17:51 »
They were doing the discs and pads on the rear and couldn't get the caliper off to replace them. Does anyone know any vw specialists in west London?

Offline gasketface

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Re: Mk3 rear caliper issue
« Reply #5 on: 05 February 2015, 17:54 »
As above, next course of action should be finding a better garage.

Let hope they know to wind the pistons in and don't start trying to bang them in with club hammer and a big chisel  :laugh: :grin: :rolleyes:

Offline gm8

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Re: Mk3 rear caliper issue
« Reply #6 on: 05 February 2015, 18:17 »
bet they rounded it then gave up

Offline Foreveryoungaus16v

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Re: Mk3 rear caliper issue
« Reply #7 on: 05 February 2015, 18:38 »
Had same issue yesterday,  but as I take my car to a reputable company like TSR they managed to sort it. Take it elsewhere.

KW V2, TEAM DYNAMICS PRO RACE 1.2, EIBACH ARBS, DS 2500 PADS, BLACK DIAMOND DISCS, LIGHTENED FLYWHEEL, CHIPPED ECU, VIBRA TECHNIC MOUNTS, JETEX DECAT,  FULLY POLYBUSHED
163 BHP (TSR POWER RUN)

Offline gasketface

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Re: Mk3 rear caliper issue
« Reply #8 on: 05 February 2015, 19:49 »
bet they rounded it then gave up

I'd bet on that !.Plenty of head shaking and teeth sucking going on no doubt ,not to mention the whoosh of the "passing of the buck "  :smiley:

Offline madmanmart

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Re: Mk3 rear caliper issue
« Reply #9 on: 05 February 2015, 20:45 »
Mine rounded when I did them a while back, I used a stilsons to undo it.



Mk3 Golf 3dr GTI 16v
Mk3 Golf Cabriolet TD
20vt Corrado track car project