Ford Focus MK1 front brake caliper repair, seized caliper, seized brake cylinder repair

Hi all

Ford Focus 2004. Mrs noticed a grinding noise and noticed some friction while car was rolling slowly and then it stops like you gently use your brake.
It appears to be front LHS caliper.
As caliper was not to bad I ordered caliper repair kit, the simplest and the cheapest - just some grease and rubbers.
Below step by step how to fix it and save some money

 Repair kit (around 10 pounds)

 There are 2 bolts holding the caliper. Allen key is needed and it is not standard size so make sure you have  the proper size before you start your fixing ;)

 Remove plastic cap protecting bolt

 Remove anti-rattle spring

 Take of the caliper from disc

As you can see piston is corroded and below all rubber collar is in  very bad condition

 You will need to push out the piston. Simply pump the the brake pedal until it leaves the cylinder. KEEP AN EYE ON BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AND TOP UP IF NEEDED AS YOU MAY GIVE YOURSELF AN EXTRA BLEEDING WORK.

 Cylinder inside looks not that bad. Does not need to be replaced

 Using sandpaper  (I used 1000 grit) you will make both piston and caliper shiny new. Make sure you properly clean piston and caliper as you don't want any metal or stones left inside the caliper. This is very important

 Use the new rubber collar and provided assembly grease. This will help you to push the piston into the cylinder

 Make sure cylinder is very tight and slightly push it back. I used the caliper tool

 Check if the collar is on it position

Check the brake fluid level and top it up if necessary 

There is another sachet in kit. Use it too 

Caliper bolts torque: 28Nm
;) Allen key: 7mm

Last thing: bleed the brake system.

Thanks!

BMW E39 radiator replacement, Radiator fix, leaking radiator fix, radiator swap

Today's patient is BMW E39
The problem is leaking radiator.

Radiator is fitted with 2 bolts as on picture.

 Cracked radiator. As you can see glue did not stop the leak. You can try in this happen to you, however it may be not successful. If the leak is coming from metal part of the radiator it can be easily fixed using EPOXY glue for metal. Just give it enought time to dry off and get hard. You can use hair dryer for better results

 You will need to disconnect few wires

 And reservoir tank, As you can see in here the tank is damaged and supposed to be replaced or at least properly glued and sealed

Reservoir has two pipes coming from bottom
As owner of the car used water to top up the coiling system you can drain it on the ground as it is just pure clean water

 Another pipe to be removed. On the RHS of this picture you can notice bleeding bolt

 In order to remove the radiator you will need to remove the fan first. This model has 2 fans. You are dismantling the one between engine and radiator

 Shelf for rubber supporter mounted on both sides of the radiator

 New one

 Bleeding hole

 Here you can see the second bleeding bolt.

Bleeding: There is few methods but keep it simply and universal for all types of cars:

Top up the necessary amount of coolant and release slightly bleeding bolts. When you notice these are dripping tight them. Keep topping up the system until correct level. Do not put cap on the reservoir tank. Keep it open.
Then start the engine and keep it running for about 5-10 minutes after engine achieve the normal working temperature (radiator should be hot).
You will see some air bubbles in reservoir tank.
Stop the engine. Let it cool. Then check again the coolant level.
You are good to go!


Thanks