The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

my 1500 (stood mostly for past 25 years but now tying to get it back on the road) seems to have sticking front brake calipers. when you apply the brake the pads dont release unless you wack them with a hammer. any ideas to help resolve this appreciated

Replace the flexi hoses, front and rear.

Buy new pistons, seals etc, strip and rebuild the calipers, hope everything works.
Or
Get a set of reconditioned calipers from the club.

Overhaul them with new pistons and seals, or take them off and exchange them for fully refurbished ones through the Club.

It might also be your flexi hoses acting like a valve as they are breaking down.

Have you replaced the fluid, or is that 25 years old and crystalline; it could be that.

Have you had the pads out? They could be seized in the caliper...
But as above, change all flexi hose's and fluid regardless of what they look like, or it might be a tree that stops car

Tony.

If its been stood for 25 years the master cylinder will need replacing as well as the seals will be knackered, particularly if you have single line brakes, they don't give you much warning when they go, ask me how I know!

How do you know?

Jeroen

When I was 18 (30years ago) I bought my first Sprint that had been laid up for a few years as it had front end damage after a minor accident. I repaired it, gave it a full respray and got it back on the road. After driving it for about 2 months without any problems I hit the brakes and the pedal went straight to the floor I manage to pump the pedal and grab the handbrake but I still went into the back of a 2L Ghia Capri. Light damage to the Capri but the Sprint needed a full front panel again. The seals in the master cylinder were the problem and gave me no warning they were on their way out. So my advice if in doubt change it.

soe8m wrote: ↑Thu Jun 21, 2018 9:19 pm How do you know?

Jeroen

There's always one!

In 2009 when I put this dolly back on the road it had new seals fitted to the MC, thought it would be OK. Passed the MOT. 100 yards from the house, went to brake, foot to the floor. I kept it there rather than pump, thinking pumping might empty the brake fluid from wherever and keeping the foot pushed through the bulkhead might get some braking. Eventually the car stopped with the handbrake. Even though I just had to drive a few hundred yards back to the house I found it almost impossible with just a handbrake. The MC was goosed. Bought a new one from Rimmer.

The club do re-con ones now. I was lucky, no traffic and no schoolkids crossing the road.

who do i contact re re-conditioned calipers via the club please?

Me.

Or the spares ordering line.

hi - i tried the spares line but number unobtainable. i want quite a few bits actually can i pm you please

Try dialling the correct number, as published in Dolly Mixture and in the members-only section, or send an email to the spares team.

are you sure its the callipers sticking and not the pads sticking on the pins?