Allroad 2002 2.5TDI AKE Auto - right rear break sticking

[ceilidhalfie]

Hi all. Last couple of days I noted squealing from the brakes at low speed. Press brake pedal it disappears, release and brakes squeal again. Fault is intermittent - I think it appears after car has sat under our pergola for a couple of days. I checked the temp of the brake discs and it is definitely a problem with the right rear (have the blister to prove it!).

Other than changing the brake fluid every 2 years (last done this April when I serviced the car - all brake pads looked fine with plenty of life left), I have never touched the rear brakes. I did replace the front disc and pads in April 2010 and the local garage replaced rear discs and pads for mot in Oct 2010. Car has done low mileage since then.

Can someone recommend a repair procedure please. Not sure if I should just try to give everything a clean with brake cleaner - and/or remove the pads - and/or remove the piston etc. or replace the whole calliper. I have the calliper wind back tool for this job. Also, could it be a problem with the handbrake mechanism? If protective cap for piston is defective or guide pin covers damaged, do I buy a repair kit and try to fix?

Any advice would be most welcome.

[nigel63]

Hi,it could be the handbrake lever on the caliper sticking,if you look under the car with the handbrake off check to see if the handbrake has released fully on each rear caliper,if it is sticking remove the wheel and spray the lever with wd40 and work it manually with a pair of grips until it returns to the fully off position on its own,remember to leave the vehicle in gear or park if auto before going underneath,that is a common fault on a rear caliper with the handbrake lever sticking slightly on.

[ceilidhalfie]

Hi,it could be the handbrake lever on the caliper sticking,if you look under the car with the handbrake off check to see if the handbrake has released fully on each rear caliper,if it is sticking remove the wheel and spray the lever with wd40 and work it manually with a pair of grips until it returns to the fully off position on its own,remember to leave the vehicle in gear or park if auto before going underneath,that is a common fault on a rear caliper with the handbrake lever sticking slightly on.

Nigel. Many thanks. Will try your suggestion tomorrow - fingers crossed! Will post update on outcome.

[Peter D]

I have also come across relatively new pads but water/salt has got under the pad paint and corroded and swollen up making the pad stick in the guide rails. Regards Peter

[ceilidhalfie]

Thanks for your input guys. Took the right rear wheel off and had a look. Handbrake mechanism looked ok but rubbed it down with wire brush and sprayed in some WD40. Took it for a test drive and after about 5 mins brake started to squeal again.
Wheel off again and this time I could not move the rotor! So took calliper off and had to prise off the pads - they were covered in crud and rust. Cleaned them, the calliper and the brake arm with a dremmel. Smeared some copper grease around the edges of the pads and reseated and reattached the calliper. Rotor now turns freely. Wheel back on and successful test drive!
Now, as a precaution, have to schedule doing the same with the left rear!

[Peter D]

What did you rub down with a wire brush then spray with WD40. The seal in the handbrake shaft requires either a litle hydraulc fluid or ideally hydraulic grease. WD40 can cause the seal to swell up. Regardfs Peter

[bagpipingandy]

I recently had to strip both rear calipers on my allroad and the same on my wifes A4 (exact same rear caliper) as the pistons were sticking, noticed it with the handbrakes were rubbish and pads wearing quick, I removed the calipers, popped the pistons out and gave them a thorough clean, the groove for the seal had corroded badly pushing the gaiter off and the actual piston seal harder and sticking it & a lack of rubber grease, I had to scrape loads of corrosion out of one of the grooves for the seal on the allroad, I had to free of handbrake levers too they would hardly move!! that one had also worn the brake pads down in less than a year!!All back together wheels turn.... and stop when they should and I got another 2 MPG RegardsAndy

[ceilidhalfie]

Peter - I only rubbed down the handbrake lever on the calliper and then sprayed it with WD40. Before I did this I could see the lever was working ok and going back to its stop when handbrake was released. Thought I wold try this easy fix first.
Andy - the piston looked ok - pulled the rubber cap back with a paper clip to see no corrosion on the piston. As I said, it was the pads sticking in the calliper. The pads have had little wear on them so it looks like I nave noticed the squealing early on. Cannot really hear it when the windows are closed - so one to look out for folks!
I certainly intend to add this job to the annual service.

[adamss24]

I have a pair of refurbished calipers from PAGID, i had the same issue with my rear brakes, ended up replacing them at high expense, if they are any good to you i will let them go for £50 each...will sell them separate. Only took them off due to rear brake upgrade...

[ceilidhalfie]

I have a pair of refurbished calipers from PAGID, i had the same issue with my rear brakes, ended up replacing them at high expense, if they are any good to you i will let them go for £50 each...will sell them separate. Only took them off due to rear brake upgrade...

Just finished a 50 mile round trip this morning. No sqealing so I think the pads and calliper just needed cleaning. ADAMSS24, will keep you in mind if I have any more problems with rear brakes.