Brake problem

1. Jack Frequent Poster Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 937 NA

   #1 6th October 2012, 17:04

   I need a new brake compensator valve and I would like to know whether they are the same throughout the years/models. I am looking at brand new one on ebay that is advertised for all models up to 1999, at a very good price! Would this fit a 2001 VTR, or did they change the design post 1999?
   
   EDIT: On further inspection, fluid is getting to the rear calipers fine (thus eliminating the compensator valve) but the car failed the MOT on the rear brakes not working well enough. However, the calipers wind back fine so surely they are not seized? Any ideas?
2. user_16747 Banned Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 4328

   #2 6th October 2012, 18:21

   Is the car lowered??
3. blackie_2k5 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B

   #3 6th October 2012, 18:24

   was it the brakes or the handbrake..
4. Jack Frequent Poster Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 937 NA

   #4 6th October 2012, 18:30

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by swampy Is the car lowered??

   No, standard height.
   
   

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by blackie_2k5 was it the brakes or the handbrake..

   Sorry, forgot to add that . It only just passed on the footbrake (somehow) but failed on the handbrake. However, the reading for the handbrake was much better than the footbrake, the footbrake isn't really doing much at the back.
5. Kebabman Regular Poster Joined: Sep 2012 Lancs Posts: 439 Saxo VTS mk1 stage rally car

   #5 6th October 2012, 18:36

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Jack No, standard height. Sorry, forgot to add that . It only just passed on the footbrake (somehow) but failed on the handbrake. However, the reading for the handbrake was much better than the footbrake, the footbrake isn't really doing much at the back.

   As it's the handbrake it's failing on you can rule out anything to do with the fluid etc as the handbrake is cable operated and is totally separate to the footbrake system.
   
   First thing is to check the cable adjustment. Is the handbrake lever quite loose. IE does it come up quite a way when you pull on it?
6. blackie_2k5 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B

   #6 6th October 2012, 18:40

   they probs just need freeing off
   
   id imagine your cables are fucked...they normally rust and dont pull the caliper properly..had similar on mine
   
   get underneath with wd40 and grease and mole grips..free the caliper off first and try again
7. Jack Frequent Poster Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 937 NA

   #7 6th October 2012, 18:42

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Kebabman As it's the handbrake it's failing on you can rule out anything to do with the fluid etc as the handbrake is cable operated and is totally separate to the footbrake system.

   I know this, but the calipers seem to be very reluctant in pushing out under the footbrake (as if they are siezed) but they wind back fine. This is my problem, sorry if I'm not wording it very well.
8. Jack Frequent Poster Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 937 NA

   #8 6th October 2012, 18:46

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by blackie_2k5 they probs just need freeing off id imagine your cables are fucked...they normally rust and dont pull the caliper properly..had similar on mine get underneath with wd40 and grease and mole grips..free the caliper off first and try again

   The cables are fine, one snapped a year ago so I replaced both. Would the piston wind back fine if the calipers were seized?
9. Kebabman Regular Poster Joined: Sep 2012 Lancs Posts: 439 Saxo VTS mk1 stage rally car

   #9 6th October 2012, 18:49

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Jack The cables are fine, one snapped a year ago so I replaced both. Would the piston wind back fine if the calipers were seized?

   It might well do if it's the slider that has seized. Whip the pads out and check everything is moving freely.
10. Jack Frequent Poster Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 937 NA

    #10 6th October 2012, 19:08

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Kebabman It might well do if it's the slider that has seized. Whip the pads out and check everything is moving freely.

    The sliders slide fine. Here's what I did earlier:
    Took out pads, wound callipers back and put it back together (so there was a gap between the disc and pads). Then pumped on the brake pedal which went hard, but the callipers didn't move much at all which implies that they are seized, right? But they wind back fine so that would imply they aren't seized...
    So I undid the bleed nipples on both sides and fluid flowed fine out of there, so fluid is getting to the calliper. I did this on both sides. Can they be seized but still wind back fine?
11. blackie_2k5 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B

    #11 6th October 2012, 19:56

    i replaced my cables a year ago..ones of them was still fucked
    
    because it was a steel cable rather then plastic sheathed one...so one side fucked up again
12. Jack Frequent Poster Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 937 NA

    #12 11th October 2012, 18:57

    I bought two recon rear callipers and fitted them the other day. Re MOT'd it today and it passed, thanks for all the help though.