Dragging brakes

[Ton-up]

Got out of my T5 Kombi a few months ago to the horrible smell of hot brakes. Why do these things always happen at inappropriate times? As usual, it was the Thursday evening before leaving Essex to go to Cornwall on Saturday for our holiday!
Ordered a new calliper Friday morning, picked it up in my dinner break and fitted it in the evening before packing the van for an early start on Saturday. Been fine ever since.

 

[Edward Teach]

I wouldn't touch chinese calipers. I bought 2 rear for ford. Got into a problem and only got the faulty side fixed. I said other side could wait as it was OK. All good then went on holidays a week later. Pulled on handbrake and it pulled up full. I was raging, I said I'm stupid i should have done both sides, looked underneath and it was the new chinese one. Pure scrap, took them straight back and they gave me trw calipers. I will only fit good brand calipers now. The chinese was a new caliper were as the trw was reconditioned.

The choice is yours,
You pays yer money, you takes yer chance,
I go on my personal experiences,
There are more slating reviews then encouraging comments.
As I said, 'time will tell'.

 

[Edward Teach]

It wont stop completely, it'll still drip and some bottles aren't suitable. A proper brake pipe clamp is better. I only cover with bag if removing hose and it can't be clamped or if your trying to put an end on a long one under the car.

It may well drip,
To be truthful,
It will drip,
But may well help stop the Master Cylinder from emptying its content on the garage floor,
FFS, that was a good idea !
Where's that left handed hammer,
I'm going to beat my good hand to death with it,
Just to make the job in hand excessively difficult

 

[Bobupndown]

I will give the cheap Chinese ones a miss I think. Local motor factors around £200 all in for both front calipers and new hoses. TPS looking £164 + vat for each caliper so for around the same price I can do both fronts as these things are probably best done in pairs.

 

[bricol]

I will give the cheap Chinese ones a miss I think. Local motor factors around £200 all in for both front calipers and new hoses. TPS looking £164 + vat for each caliper so for around the same price I can do both fronts as these things are probably best done in pairs.

My theory too - after all, the originals have been on the same length of time and done the same amount of work in similar conditions, so it's either just about to fall apart too, or at the very least, not work quite as well as the replacement on the other side.

Brakes international have bene very helpful in the past - Lancia rear calipers are only used on integrale evo versions - many companies claimed to have them, but really have non-evo ones - which don't fit. Brakes International went and photographed what they had on the shelf claiming to be evo calipers . .. they were, I bought 'em.

 

[Bobupndown]

New shiny bits and hoses both sides, sorted