L400 Brake Calipers Seizing

CREGAN · Post by **CREGAN** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 10:13 am

Is it just me or do L400's tend to seize in the front brake calipers quite regularly? I just had my second caliper seize since purchasing, 1 year and 3 months since replacing the calipers, pads and rotors. Just seems like either a design flaw or poor quaility of replacement parts.

When I was driving about two months ago I noticed that there was a squeeking coming from the driver side brake area. In the past week or so I am noticing the smell of burning brake pad and it sounds like it is rattling/scraping on that side (pad is gone. ) Passenger side seems to sound and smell fine.

I am looking at taking it to a shop here and I wonder if I should just source out all the parts (pads, calipers, and rotors) to minimize downtime.

Anyone else have crappy brakes?

Craig

Mr. Flibble · Post by **Mr. Flibble** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 10:33 am

Had the same problem myself. Calipers only 4 months old, front right seized so badly my rotor was glowing cherry red. Had to drive a long way slowly to get home.

I remember reading something on the forum about a pin getting rusty or something, happens often with road salt. I think Jesse said something like lubricating the pin to keep it from happening; but I can't remember.

jessef · Post by **jessef** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 10:53 am

It's common and the fault lies with the crappy rubber boot that is supposed to keep moisture out from the sliding pins. But it doesn't and eventually they seize. Also luck of the draw on whether the calipers were rebuilt properly (piston seal seated properly).

djelica · Post by **djelica** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:03 am

Yes, this has happened to me also.

Any way to prevent this from happening again?

Cheers, Darren

CREGAN · Post by **CREGAN** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 5:16 pm

Well- went to Apex Specialized in Edmonton and have so far had a troublesome experience. Many things to discuss but I am going to wait and discuss it with the manager when my van is complete. Quote for driver side front caliper refurbish, rotor, and pad is $420. No time frame on completion because they say they are waiting for the rotor to come from "the Vancouver area". A week or so is what I was quoted. Feeling frustrated so i think I am going to cool off a bit and maybe when I am in a better mood things will go better.

I hope all you greater Vancouver area Delica owners appreciate how lucky you are to have a few shops that specialize in Delicas and do good work. Maybe one of them wants to expand into the interior? I would line up to be their first customer.

Craig

403delica · Post by **403delica** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 5:29 pm

My vote is Coombs expands to Calgary !

psilosin · Post by **psilosin** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 5:30 pm

Bummer man, you have had enough things go awry with your van already...from brakes to injection pump to Mardy popping naked out the back hatch like a stripper from a cake. Hope everything gets sorted. I am looking forward to the full rant version as you have a way with colourful adjectives that I appreciate.

CREGAN · Post by **CREGAN** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 9:15 pm

I have had a decent string of "good" months and a small but very worthwhile expense of a tune-up at Coombs. Just so frustrated with the customer service aspect of everything here in Alberta. There is so much oil money around these parts that businesses don't seem to give two squats about pleasing a customer. "More money will walk in the door as you walk out" is the moto they seem to live by. I think I am done with taking it to so called "import experts" around this province. If it isn't a subaru or volkswagen they just don't care. I think I am going to take it to the local village shop where I work and start training the mechanic to love Delicas. I taught his kids and had a pretty good repour with the family so maybe that is the way to go. I am sure you will enjoy the details Psilosin, but I think there are more being written as it goes on. I said a lot of F-words and C-bombs today on my ride home, and I hope I don't have to say them to someones face when I pick up my van...... whenever that is.

Craig

Coombs- if you are watching, I second the expansion and would be very happy to help manage, or even just mop it for you.

403delica · Post by **403delica** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 11:45 am

Cregan i second the motion of "import" shops working on our vans, I teach high school automotives and tried to have a shop replace my axel seal, they butchered it after Coombs supplied them with the proper seal and they did not even use it! I ended up just doing it myself the second time around. I have worked for just under 10 years in automotives and was appalled at the attitude of techs, hence the transition in to teaching.

X2 on Coombs Calgary Auto part two!

Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club