Brake caliper not rewinding on one side.

JesseJames_2

Citroen C5 2002 HDI 2.0

Had the car off the road for 6 months with the handbrake off.
The front drivers side brake was jammed but loosened of when driven forward. (I have a feeling that it was beginning to jam before I put it off the road, so could have been tight to the disc for that time).

Anyway, decided to replace brake discs and brake pads.

Did the passenger side AOK, and also rewound the piston back in with a rewind cube on a ratchet - easily rewound (clockwise) with my other hand simply holding the caliper.

So, did the same with the driver's side, but the rewind tool did not work.
Tried the handbrake, and it worked fine, and caliper piston came out easily.
Did the same with the foot pedal, again easily came out.

So then bolted the caliper back on the car so I can get more purchase with the ratchet. Bleed nipple slackened too.

It very slightly moved but no more.

So piston is not seized, but it won't rewind (anti-clockwise).

What is the problem here, and can it *practically* be fixed without getting another caliper?

Strider590

I can't say for sure, but you may need to bleed the brakes as you do this.

facade

You have tried the other way? They rewind opposite ways on opposite sides, is it possible you have 2 left hand callipers fitted?

JesseJames_2

facade wrote: »

You have tried the other way? They rewind opposite ways on opposite sides, is it possible you have 2 left hand callipers fitted?

Thanks, I've just tried your suggestion, but no, it did move slightly in the opposite direction, but then no more.

So it appears that in normal brake operation the caliper is not returning, and the piston is not rewinding either.

facade

Never messed with one, but at a guess I'd say it was something to do with Citroen's idea of a handbrake.

I'd make sure all the handbrake mechanism is free and returning properly, and matches the side that works.

Then I'd be inclined to just try and blow the piston out with the brake pedal, and try and figure out what is wrong by looking inside the calliper, on the grounds that if it was put together, it should come apart and re assemble.

However, this is a good way to immobilise the car until you source a new calliper if it goes pear shaped.

arcon5

Use the foot brake to pop the piston out and see where it's being jammed

JesseJames_2

facade wrote: »

Never messed with one, but at a guess I'd say it was something to do with Citroen's idea of a handbrake.

I'd make sure all the handbrake mechanism is free and returning properly, and matches the side that works.

Then I'd be inclined to just try and blow the piston out with the brake pedal, and try and figure out what is wrong by looking inside the calliper, on the grounds that if it was put together, it should come apart and re assemble.

However, this is a good way to immobilise the car until you source a new calliper if it goes pear shaped.

First of all, I do not need the car just now, but thought I'd get it on the road while the weather is good, so OK if I mess it up.

I have no idea how the mechanism works but the handbrake cable actuates and when released the external spring returns OK.
So I guess the problem must lay inside, but I'll check both sides as you suggest and see if both have the same external movement. And if so will then pop the piston out.

Thanks