Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Sticking brake calipers

When starting off, usually when hot( I.e. When I have driven pretty spiritedly) I get a shudder through the chassis - only for a second or so, and either in first or reverse. It is a 2009 plus4 with the Caparo brakes. I think it is the pistons in the calipers sticking. Has anyone else had the same experience?

I was thinking of removing the calipers and putting some copper grease on the pistons. What is the wisdom of the forum??

Cheers!

I would be thinking along the lines of checking to see if the rotors are not warped.

any kind of grease in the braking system, heating up to liquid measure when braking is not to be recommended..

its rather like the lubrication system on early Morgans, oil being pumped out and down the king pin, straight onto the disk brake rotor. Not a good idea, I say this from first hand experience...

even check to see if all the bolts are very tight, a simple one to do. Even the wheel could be slightly loose on its splines?

Tread carefully and stay away from grease on anything associated with the brakes Robbie..
Just take your time.

I assume this is not after washing the wheels (a common problem)

corrosion on the discs
no big deal

And: did you (let) have a look at the brake pads yet? The brake pads are larger than the outer diameter of the disc, so their outer edges should be chamfered.
So they don´t contact the outer diameter of the disc anymore..

Robbie
I think you mean copper slip, not grease. Copper slip on the back of the brake pads is ok to stop the calliper piston squeaking against the back of the brake pad.
David

If you think that the pistons are sticking, take both wheels off, take all four pads out, keeping them in order.
Then press gently on the brake pedal, and you will sense the pressure moving the pistons. Don't overdo this or one will pop out and you'll have to bleed that side. Look at the pistons and how far they have emerged. The one furthest out is loosest, so you can retract the piston and replace that pad. Hold it in place temporarily with masking tape - they have been known to drop out during this process. Look at the remaining pistons and see which has moved least. Give it a small squirt of lubricant. I've useed WD40 for years with no ill effects - but keep it away from the discs. You could also use silicon spray lubricant. Once sprayed, retract the piston, and keep doing this to each piston until they all emerge at the same rate. Replace the pads and put a smear of coppaslip on the backs.

What's probably happening is that the pads are sticking to the discs, which is common after a wash, as mentioned above.

Thanks for the comments, guys. Iwould only put a smear of of copper grease on the piston, so no chance of getting on the rotors. I'll check the pads too. The shudder is when the car has been driven, not from cold and not after washing. I hope the rotors are not warped as the car is only 2 yrs old and only has 16000 kms on the clock!!

Cheers!

Bear in mind that there have been a couple of reports that the rear linings (which are glued) have become detached, and ridden over the remaining lining, which has locked the rear brakes (at low speed). So if everything else checks out, whip the drums off and have a look inside.

Thanks, Dave. I'll check the drums too

Cheers!