Sticking front brakes, right side only.

[Cushing]

Right hand side (lhd car) brakes not releasing, swapped caliper, checked piston, bled system? Why ?

[CarBuff]

Could be a swollen rubber brake hose.  (Swollen on the inside, where you can't see the issue.)

 

Have yours ever been replaced?  If not, buy some SS braided ones...

[Cushing]

Thanks for the reply,  I’ve installed braided , the problem wasjust a sticking caliper piston, got a mate to help me today to pump it in and out a few times and now it’s as good as new, I just need to use it a bit more.

[Glyn Harper]

I had a sticking calliper on my old brakes before I moved to brembo ones.

The sliding part of the caliper and the body of the caliper that holds the piston are different metals and they react to make a layer of corroded material on the sliding surfaces. This builds up and deforms the shape of the caliper squashing the piston and preventing it moving.

I thoroughly cleaned the surfaces where the two halves of the caliper meet with a wire brush and a file, and it returned to a normal shape and no longer trapped the piston.

Worth checking this if it binds again as it’s an easy fix really and your caliper will then be good for years more to come.

[Cushing]

Which car did Lotus take the calipers from ? 

[CarBuff]

In 1988 they were ~ 1985 Toyota Celica Supra (6 cyl) front calipers. (Supra RH calipers on the LH side, & vice-versa)

 

Regards hoping they won't stick again, HMMMM.   As Glyn said, internal corrosion can cause a bind at one spot, so you are taking a chance that they won't start overheating later. Best to either strip and clean and refurbish on the inside, or buy refurbished units.

 

Regular flushing of brake fluid (every year or two) seems to keep the calipers 'limber'.

[jonwat]

4 hours ago, Cushing said:

the problem wasjust a sticking caliper piston, got a mate to help me today to pump it in and out a few times and now it’s as good as new, I just need to use it a bit more.

I'd pop the piston back out & replace the seal,  if you don't do it now then you'll be doing it before too long.