OFFTOPIC -- Brake problems in my gti

[Harbinger]

Just today my 99 VW GTI started rapdily loosing brake fluid from the drivers rear caliper, basically rendering my brakes useless. I have a puddle off brake fluid under the car in about 5 minutes. The leak seems to be coming from a nut on the back of the caliper. What Do I have to do to fix this?

 

Sorry this isn't a Pathy question, but I figured you guys might know more about disk brakes than I do. I've already posted in a VW forum I'm part of, but I haven't had much luck getting help from them with anything so far :-)

Edited April 16, 2005 by Harbinger

[Precise1]

Sorry Bud, but that picture isn't very good... I'd guess that the fluid is coming out from behind the arm ? I'm assuming thats the e-brake setup ? Not knowing the system, I can only think of 2 ways it would work. 1 is rotational (it compresses fluid inside the caliper via piston, etc. 2 it is somehow wormgeared to push a piston directly into the caliper. Either way, there have to be seals and they are blown. With some luck the shaft, piston, or caliper body is not damaged or worn beyond a good seal's ability to close the gap and merely need changing. I'd find an exploded view, that would help a lot. Does that arm that the nut holds on seem at all loose (bad sign)? Its hard to help remotely like this, but better picts would help a lot. Can you pull it and get a side view ? I'm kinda going out on a limb with my diagnosis; dont have enough info to go on...

 

B

Edited April 17, 2005 by Precise1

[Harbinger]

I am sorry for the poor pics, my cheap lil largan camera doesn't seem to like close range stuff!

 

As far as I can tell that nut is holding on the E-brake assembly, as the only things between this nut and the caliper housing is the bracket and arm attatched to that cable. The only guy who got back from me on the VW site said that it may be a seal where the e-brake mechanism passes through the caliper, but he wasn't sure if it went all the way into the housing or not?

 

Thanks for the help, this is my first ever go at working on brakes. And has me continuing to curse buying a VW, but we all have to learn somehow right?

 

And are Hayne's manuals this incomplete for all vehicles? Flipping though the one for My VW makes me wonder! pssd

 

I'll continue the search for any info/ exploded views, in the mean time thank god I have my Pathy :-)

Edited April 17, 2005 by Harbinger

[Harbinger]

Update:

 

Had a buddy who used to work for les schwab (heaven forbid) come over and look at it. Its definatley leaking from the e-brake nut, so now I'm on a search to find a new caliper (VW parts = $) or a way to replace whatever seal gave way inside the caliper.

[Precise1]

Yeah, the assembly must pivot on the shaft that goes into the caliper. Exploded view is important at this point... If you cant find one anywhere, go talk to a parts guy (stealership is prob best) and he'll show one to you and give advice. If you don't need the VW immediately, you can always pull the caliper, it's not hard. The big thing is if the hole in the caliper is ovaled or rounded out (bell shaped), you need a new body, if not a seal should do it... If you can afford to be patient, you can save some $... I'll help if I can, GL...

 

B

[Harbinger]

Ok, an Update!

 

I'm going to be picking up a new caliper as soon as money allows (figures, I need money to fix the car the same week the car payment is due). Is there anything I need to know before replacing it? I've never worked on brakes before. Is it as simple as taking the old one off, and replacing it? Will I have to bleed the brakes? How is that done? :help:

[Harbinger]

OK! So my ebay caliper finally arrived so I was able to get to work. Seemed easy enough.

 

I got it all put back together and drove around town for about 15 minutes taking it easy. When I got out of the car I could smell that burning brake smell. I don't think I did any major damage, but what did I do wrong?