XM front brakes sticking

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Sep 2011, 16:08

The brakes on the front of the XM are sticking, it was an intermittent problem but now they are just about seized.

The handbrake works fine and releases fine at the calipers, with the pads removed the piston pushes out very easily when operated and it can be wound in half way but then it stops and no ammount of force while turning gets the piston to move further in.

It had new front discs and pads a while ago by a local garage who is generally ok. We would have done it but it was a busy time. They do know Citroens and so I guess they know how to fit pads but the pad was not lined up with the notch in the piston.

Im wondering if they have not wound the piston all the way back would this cause the problem? Or If they have used force just to push the piston back without turning it backwards?

Both sides are doing the same thing, which appears a bit odd. Now the pistons are out too far to get the pads back in.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Sep 2011, 16:23

I have just been out to jack the back up to check those and the back brakes are stuck on too. Possibly the doser brake valuve is faulty.

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 10 Sep 2011, 16:58

Yes, check the clearance on the brake valve and actuator arm, you will have to get the scuttle out as you know but you can do some gardening while your in there, thats where i would start anyway Chris.

D

xmexclusive · Post by **xmexclusive** » 10 Sep 2011, 17:53

If the pip on the back of the front pads are both not aligned with a notch in the piston then the handbrake auto wind on the caliper has no restraint so just winds up the pads until they lock solid on the disk.
Usually takes a few weeks of brake applications for this to happen.
Common problem with XM's as many pad sets have pips on only two of the brake pads.

John

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Sep 2011, 20:53

Hi Dean and John, thanks for that.

Since all of the brake had stick it was something else and not the pads. I eventually tracked the problem down to the control rod under the scuttle, it had become dry and seized. Its now lubricated and working perfectly again, after 30 or so miles this evening the problem has not returned.

We did realign the pads and bleed the brakes too, the pads are Valeo ones andhave both notches on them.

So its back to normal now, ill use it for my commuting this week to give it some use.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 11 Sep 2011, 11:08

i have seen this very same fault on an AX were the remote linkage's had seized, so the brakes were not comming off after the pedel was released,

regards malcolm

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 13 Sep 2011, 22:14

An odd one, though its still fine, I have been using it the past few days with no problems. Quite a simple thing really.