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Front brake Caliper Siezed
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PaulW View Drop Down
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    Posted: 31 Dec 2010 at 8:09pm
Have any of you folks experienced a seized front brake caliper piston and know how to free it? Pads and disk are fine. I have removed the caliper and noticed that the dust cover seal around the head of the piston has come away and possibly allowed some dirt to accumulate behind the seal.  Is this retrievable or does this mean a new piston and seals or worse a new calliper?
Paul
2003 E46 M3 Titanium Silver
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Points: 6625 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cabrio Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jan 2011 at 11:47am
Paul - regrettably if it wint free through driving then its needs to be removed an worked back and forth - initially dont need to release flexi - and you will then see condition of piston, check seals - also then can check flexi is not the problem (carefully push piston out with pedal - put something or the pad in the caliper to stop piston popping out)  etc - lubricate and replace - if that does not work it will need stripping - the dealer wont repair as tend to exchange for new one - good luck
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PaulW View Drop Down
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Hi Neil,  Thanks for the reply.  Caliper is off, although not disconnected from flexi pipe as you have described.  Piston appears free.  As i had mentioned the dust seal was not engaged with the caliper body and was only held in place on the piston itself.  The dust seal is proving impossible to re-instate with the caliper.  I think the seal has not been in place for sometime, possibly having been dislodged during a previous service!!  I will try and purchase a new seal and see if that is easier to install.

Thank again for your advice.

Best wishes for 2011.
Cheers
Paul 


Edited by PaulW - 02 Jan 2011 at 5:55pm
Paul
2003 E46 M3 Titanium Silver
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GARYNT View Drop Down
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Points: 153 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GARYNT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jan 2011 at 12:52am
The piston needs to be out of the caliper before you can fit the dust seal in the caliper. My mate has a e46 m3 which the rear piston was sticking on so I took the caliper off and put a high pressure air line in the hole where the brake pipe fits and blowed the piston out cleaned the piston with fine emery paper and it hasn't stuck scene.  
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PaulW View Drop Down
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Points: 247 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PaulW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jan 2011 at 11:39am
Hi Gary,
Thanks.  Thought i had sorted it yesterday having cleaned everything up and re-assembled.  Looks like the caliper will have to come off as you have suggested as the piston is still sticking. 
I disconnected the wear pad sensor from within the cover box located on the inner wing to move the brake pad right out of the way while I accessed the piston, taking care as the cable look fragile.  Having reconnected it, the brake wear indicator light is now illuminated on the dash. Confused 


Edited by PaulW - 02 Jan 2011 at 11:42am
Paul
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Points: 6625 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cabrio Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jan 2011 at 12:30pm
Paul - check plug not loose or spring on the pad is home properly
E30 Register joint coordinator - Competition Secretary - Contact name Neil for PM and Email - cabrio_e30@yahoo.co.uk - be aware addicted to E numbers
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PaulW View Drop Down
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Points: 247 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PaulW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jan 2011 at 6:07pm
Appreciate your responses and advice.  Illuminated brake pad wear light solved; bad connection. Piston appears to be improving with diligent cleaning and lubrication.  I'll give it one more attempt before I resort to removing the caliper from the car. 
Paul
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GARYNT View Drop Down
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Points: 153 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GARYNT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jan 2011 at 10:42pm
The wear indicator light in the dash will stay on for a few miles and then go off its self. Did you clean the piston with emery paper.
 
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Cleaned the piston with fine emery.  Think the dust seal must have been dislodged for some time as the piston was quite badly corroded.  In the end fitted new caliper.
Paul
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GARYNT View Drop Down
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Points: 153 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GARYNT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jan 2011 at 11:30pm
New caliper; thats expensive.
 
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Mike C View Drop Down
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Points: 16 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike C Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jan 2011 at 10:54pm
Hi,bit late now but I've had this on both my E36 and E46 M3's.
Bought a seal kit from BMW for about £10 and refurbed it myself.
No problems since then.
To get the pad light to go off you have to open the driver's
door with the ignition on and leave for 30 seconds.
It's something like that,try a google search!
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