Mk.1 C5 Front caliper question

[citroenxm]

Hi all..

Got an issue with a C5.. can the front calipers hydraulically work but mechanically not??

A car brakes very well indeed yet when the hand brake is on it doesnt hold very well on the nearside.

Neither cables are siezed in the guide or sheeth ends and neither caliper is siezed though the nearside caliper has little movement on the hand brake lever... should a caliper change help me here ?? Off side caliper holds well on hand brake.

[ekjdm14]

Is there any way the lever could be mounted wrong, or the pads fitted wrongly allowing the handbrake part to be at the end of it's adjustment/travel? Knowing bugger all about C5 brakes that's my best guess...

[Stickyfinger]

NO, I bet the caliper will be buggered inside or the slide bolt(s) is jammed, how are the pads, even in thickness ?

[citroenxm]

Fairly recent.. evenly worn too... currently..

[Stickyfinger]

Disconnect the handbrake cable, move the arm ?....how much, the same on both ?.
Do BOTH cables move fully ?

[citroenxm]

Yes yes and yes...

[Stickyfinger]

Jack it both sides, leave wheels on, spin the wheels by hand with a 2nd person clicking on (one at a time) the handbrake....check the operation
Are both cables the same length on the adjuster in the car ?

That's all I have, but LEAVE it in gear, I had a C5 end its life one night in a big hole when it decided to jump to its death.

[Gibbo2286]

I suspect that you have the same problem that occurs frequently on C5s, there has been water ingress past the calliper lever seals causing it to partially seize up (it will come on but not release) this stops the self adjuster from working and can cause the brake to drag.

Unhook the cable from the lever put plenty of WD40 around where it enters the calliper and work the lever (Mole grips) on and off until it returns to the stop without help, finish by putting some light lube oil on in place of the WD40.

Before reconnecting the cables start the engine and press the footbrake firmly a few times to get the adjustment right.

It's a good idea to give the levers a frequent spray with lube as the lever seals are pretty inadequate on these callipers, easy enough to do, just set the suspension high turn on hard lock and reach under.

[Stickyfinger]

Gibbo, he says they are working and the leavers move.....but internals all gummed up is still my bet.

Recon Calipers are good value, and if its going inside, there is no stopping it getting worse only slowing it....then it sticks on and you blow a disk....99% of the time.

[Gibbo2286]

Gibbo, he says they are working and the leavers move.....but internals all gummed up is still my bet.

Recon Calipers are good value, and if its going inside, there is no stopping it getting worse only slowing it....then it sticks on and you blow a disk....99% of the time.

I read this "though the nearside caliper has little movement on the hand brake lever... " so assumed it to be 'the usual'

[Stickyfinger]

And me, Disconnect the handbrake cable, move the arm ?....how much, the same on both ?.
Do BOTH cables move fully ?Yes yes and yes...