Seized calliper, red hot brake. Where to get seal kit pls?

[rusty244]

Smelt burning whilst driving the car on a short low speed journey recently and noticed the rear offside brake was scorching hot. Throwing a bucket of water on it confirmed my theory that it was hotter than the sun and the brake is stuck on.

Just spoke to my tame mechanic on the phone who said we can either:
1) Replace the calliper or
2) Strip, clean up and fit a new seal kit - his preferred approach and also likely to be more cost effective

Any ideas where I can source a good quality new seal kit asap?

Thanks!

James

[classicswede]

Most cost effective solution is to replace the caliper with a recon unit.

The seal kits are best part of the price of a recon and you will still have the old piston. If the piston is worn/pitted then you will have wasted your money on a seal kit. A recon caliper will have a new piston.

Consdier replacing both while you are there. Brakes and suspension parts are best replaced as paires

[Antz]

I never bother with seal kits, just fit new calipers each time. Far easier than fannying around with a solution that might not work

[rusty244]

Thanks a lot folks, pair of callipers look to be in order then.

Any ideas on where I should try to source callipers as speedily as possible?

[GEORGEROV]

http://brakepartssuperstore.org.uk/ . For calipers , pistons , seal kits .

or :http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/ for cheap calipers .

[coaster22]

Just done this job , I managed the seal kit route but my advice is don't bother get return calipers from Euro car parts. Cheers.

[Steve940estate]

It's more than likely the caliper is the problem but it is also worth checking the handbrake isn't stuck on that side.

[frielp]

Check your brake hose also..

[Volvorama]

Brake hose is the thing to check first I reckon. A seized caliper should release after a while as the brake pads wear out. A blocked hose means the brakes get pushed on more as temperature rises in the caliper and increased pressure pushes the brakes on more.
Handbrake also possible, as said above.
Check for seized caliper by trying to lever the pistons back in. If undoing the bleed nipple makes it easier then the hose could be the problem.

[Clifford Pope]

Originally Posted by Steve940estate

also worth checking the handbrake isn't stuck on that side.

That's the first thing to check after levering the pistons back in - will the wheel now turn?

Handbrake shoes rust and the linings come apart, jamming the drum.
Also the levers inside the drum seize up.