Brake caliper 1980 345

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S10NPH
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Location: Cambridge

Brake caliper 1980 345

Post by S10NPH » 16 Jul 2013 01:53 pm

When driving home from St Neots on Saturday, the nearside brake started squealing and was extremely hot. The diagnosis is a seized caliper seal, and so a new caliper is needed. My local garage are saying they can't easily source a single piston caliper, and want me to confirm that is what I need as opposed to a double piston caliper. I am almost certain it's single piston, but I'd be grateful if someone with greater mechanical confidence could confirm.

Does anyone have a preferred supplier for them?
1977 Volvo 343 DL 1.4 Vario TUJ 247R
1980 Volvo 345 DL 1.4 PGH 590V
1981 Volvo 345 DL 1.4 ECR 312W
1985 Volvo 340 DL 1.4 Vario B168 DTU
1982 Volvo 245 GLT 2.3 Auto VKN 137X
1997 Saab 900 Convertible P290 DDF and 2018 VW Tiguan S10 NPH

macplaxton
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Re: Brake caliper 1980 345

Post by macplaxton » 16 Jul 2013 02:50 pm

Whip the wheel off and confirm it's indentity for sure. (Post up a pic, in fact do both sides in case someone has been at it. You never know sometimes!)

I would rebuild/replace in pairs. Years ago, I replaced front wheel cylinders on one side of a Wolseley and it pulling far better on the new side so the balance was out by more than 25% for the MOT. Left it with the garage and they didn't have much luck with the balance...but it got me the ticket in the end.

Preferred supplier, once you know for sure, (something tells me the 80MY is the twin floaty type, but I'd need to check) for me is Brakes International. Just phone up the Rochdale number. The online catalogue is good, but not exhaustive, so just get on the blower and they can check the shelves.
72 DAF 44 Estate 78 Volvo 343DL Black BeautyImageImage
82 Volvo 343DL CVTImageImage 88 Volvo 340DL Diesel

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Speedy88
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Re: Brake caliper 1980 345

Post by Speedy88 » 16 Jul 2013 03:09 pm

Is a refurb or rebuild out of the question?
'88 340 Williams (Sold)
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S10NPH
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Location: Cambridge

Re: Brake caliper 1980 345

Post by S10NPH » 16 Jul 2013 03:17 pm

I'm not sure to be honest. I'm ashamed to say that I called the AA out to see if they could adjust the brakes to stop the squealing and heat, because I didn't fancy my brake burning off on the dual carriageway on the way home. He played around with the piston, but it just kept sticking slightly on after the brakes were applied so he concluded that the caliper seal had seized up. He suggested either a refurb or the safer option of a new caliper.

The caliper looks exactly like Andy's on his XKW thread from my memory of it since Saturday. I haven't looked on the driver's side.
1977 Volvo 343 DL 1.4 Vario TUJ 247R
1980 Volvo 345 DL 1.4 PGH 590V
1981 Volvo 345 DL 1.4 ECR 312W
1985 Volvo 340 DL 1.4 Vario B168 DTU
1982 Volvo 245 GLT 2.3 Auto VKN 137X
1997 Saab 900 Convertible P290 DDF and 2018 VW Tiguan S10 NPH

macplaxton
Posts: 3283
Joined: 09 Feb 2008 02:29 am

Re: Brake caliper 1980 345

Post by macplaxton » 16 Jul 2013 04:06 pm

macplaxton wrote:(something tells me the 80MY is the twin floaty type, but I'd need to check)
:oops:

Here's the early one. Fixed, two opposed pistons. Little square pads. Crap. Used to MY79:
Image
300_early_front_caliper by macplaxton, on Flickr

...and the late one. Floating, one piston. Larger pads. Better. Used from MY80:
Image
300_late_front_caliper by macplaxton, on Flickr
72 DAF 44 Estate 78 Volvo 343DL Black BeautyImageImage
82 Volvo 343DL CVTImageImage 88 Volvo 340DL Diesel

macplaxton
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Joined: 09 Feb 2008 02:29 am

Re: Brake caliper 1980 345

Post by macplaxton » 16 Jul 2013 04:12 pm

S10NPH wrote:My local garage are saying they can't easily source a single piston caliper, and want me to confirm that is what I need as opposed to a double piston caliper.
I would have thought it the t'other way round?

Shove "volvo caliper 340" into fleabay and loads of single floaties turn up. Shove in 343 instead of 340 and I see one remanufactured pair of oldie calipers for 130 quid.
72 DAF 44 Estate 78 Volvo 343DL Black BeautyImageImage
82 Volvo 343DL CVTImageImage 88 Volvo 340DL Diesel

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S10NPH
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Location: Cambridge

Re: Brake caliper 1980 345

Post by S10NPH » 16 Jul 2013 04:16 pm

That's exactly what I was thinking Rich, how strange. I'll give them a call later to confirm. It's definitely the single piston floating type that my '80 has. The difference in brake pad size does explain why my '79 has terrible brakes in comparison to the '80!
1977 Volvo 343 DL 1.4 Vario TUJ 247R
1980 Volvo 345 DL 1.4 PGH 590V
1981 Volvo 345 DL 1.4 ECR 312W
1985 Volvo 340 DL 1.4 Vario B168 DTU
1982 Volvo 245 GLT 2.3 Auto VKN 137X
1997 Saab 900 Convertible P290 DDF and 2018 VW Tiguan S10 NPH

macplaxton
Posts: 3283
Joined: 09 Feb 2008 02:29 am

Re: Brake caliper 1980 345

Post by macplaxton » 16 Jul 2013 04:32 pm

RJ mentioned, with the older brakes, use OEM Volvo asbestos pads. I think the idea of that is to make the best of a bad job :lol:

As you can see, they are 20 quid upwards.
72 DAF 44 Estate 78 Volvo 343DL Black BeautyImageImage
82 Volvo 343DL CVTImageImage 88 Volvo 340DL Diesel

classicswede
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Re: Brake caliper 1980 345

Post by classicswede » 16 Jul 2013 07:43 pm

I keep late type single piston calipers in on exchange basis. If anyone has some early calipers available for rebuild I would be interested in them
Dai

Please email me directly on dai@classicswede.co.uk

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