Overheated rear brake disc. |
I was in
a hurry the other day to get the dog to the vet. It was not until I was part way up
the bypass that I realised that the handbrake had stuck on. Even though the
hand brake leaver in the cab was completely off, the smell of brake linings was
overpowering. It's just as well the vets was not too far, even so the back
wheels were so hot you could not touch them. Just before we made the return
journey I slipped under the van and pulled back the little arms that operate
the handbrake on the back of the callipers. Man, they we tight! This does not
bode well for those new wheel bearings that were fitted earlier in the year. A
sticking hand brake is one of the reasons why the bearing failed in the first
place!
Showing handbrake arm on Calliper |
With the
back of the van up in the air and both the wheels off, it is time to get to
grips with sorting this problem out. On further investigation it turns out that
the shaft that sticks out of the back of the calliper with the handbrake
actuation arm on, has rusted tight. Even though there is a little rubber cup
that sits between the calliper and the arm to protect the shaft from the
weather. I believe this is its downfall because once the water gets behind the
seal it remains there helping the rust to build up causing it to seize.
Handbrake arm spring old and new |
There is one
last thing to do as a suggestion before you box it up and that is to get some
white grease and push it in behind the little rubber seal that protects the handbrake arm shaft this will help to keep things moving and the weather out.
I have used
this method on my van and so far, the hand brake has not stuck on again.
Can you tell me where you got the handbrake spring (and its part no. if you know it please)? I've got the same problem with my van. Every morning drive to the level bit on our road, switch off, stick van in gear, let handbrake off, get out trusty bit of 2"x1" and give the rear caliper handbrake arms a tap to stop the pads binding. Amazing how much fuel you save. I recon this is the main reason why people think vivaros have high fuel consumption.
ReplyDeleteI got the new springs from the main agent. They had one in stock and had to order the other in. Cost about £3 each. Sorry Graham did not make a note of part number. Changing the springs may not cure the problerm by it's self.
DeleteDont know if people still read this thread but been to Vauxhall, Renault and a few different suppliers, all say they cant get the spring and you have to demand the calliper. A joke really Vauxhall wanted £280!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that Mick but the vauxhall agent I went to could not be more helpful. They had one spring in stock and I had the other the following day.
DeleteIt is fare to say some main agent parts department are not there to help the customer only there mates in the workshop.
This is a popular blog judging by all the hits it gets.
It is the same one as the vw transporter
ReplyDeleteHi Lee are you referring to the caliper?
Deletei like many others before me have had the exact same problems on my 2008 model,overheated smell from rear wheel area, screech on stopping, and hand brake lever not returning on spring at caliper. I replaced my worn main handbrake cable and then one rear o/s caliper, now time to replace the other n/s caliper as it also has started playing up.
ReplyDeleteonce the caliper starts sticking its more than likely you are close to replacing the calliper,you can try lubrication etc as a temp fix and i know you can fit a repair kit to them with a new piston and seals for around £20 or less but for around £40 you can get a new calliper with a 2 year warranty just check out eBay, this was my option and i have no regrets works great and not paying silly money to a dealer or eurocarparts.
You are right in the end you have to replace the calipers. Which we did the following year.
Delete