Having left my car covered up for the best part of 6 weeks, I returned home to give her a service and a general check up. Sadly, I have not managed anything like that! Firstly the bolt keeping the oil in the sump was impossible to remove, so I had to go and get some WD40 in the hope that that would work. On the way to Halfords, I noticed quite a loud knocking noise and the brake pedal was moving more than just a vibration. Having returned carefully from Halfords, I have applied the WD40 to the bolt and the suspected brakes, to find that when turning my front left wheel by hand there is rubbing. I have previously had siezed calipers and pads but without the brake pedal movement. Is this something that I can sort with simple tools and WD40 or is it more serious? The previous owner changed all the brake disks and pads in September time, so should I assume its the calipers?! Sorry it was so long winded!
I had the same problem with the sump plug and below is a pic of a spare socket wrench that I filed the square hole out to suit the square end of the sump plug. It then unscrewed easily. Open ended spanners are of no use at all.
It sounds like the brake calipers have seized up on the sliders or the pistons have seized up. You can do it yourself if you know what you are doing or put the calipers in as a part exchange for some refurbished ones. It depends on how your funds are I suppose. The rear calipers have an unusually arrangement for adjusting them that you should make yourself aware off. If you feel that you would like to do your own servicing and repairers etc you should invest in Rod Graingers Manual, it’s worth it’s weight in gold. I will add to this thread a write-up I did on the rear brakes and the handbrake cable when I can find it.
Hi, thanks very much! I am using a socket wrench to try to un do it, but to no avail. When you say you sanded it down, was that to stop the square bit protruding in to the socket bit? My wrench has a good grip on the plug, but I still cannot turn it after an hour soaking with WD40. Thanks again!
