Oh boy, seem to be running into a new problem with my FFRR every week.......

Todays problem is:

Had a long run on Monday in heavy rain, got near home and saw white smoke behind. Got home and car smelled of burning brakes (lorry clutch burn type of smell!). The rear off side disc was really hot so I knew it was probably caliper problem as all other wheels ok.

Took wheel off and was surprised to be able to push caliper apart so it hadn't seized, pump the brakes and it moves back and seemed ok. Took for a test drive and same problem. Took wheel off again and took caliper off, brake pads out and liberal coat of copper slip. Checked caliper piston, all moves, seems ok. Took for another test drive and same problem again....handbrake works fine by the way.

Do you think this could be:

A) shagged caliper
B) Problem with the connecting hose (not allowing fluid back through?)
C) Handbrake shoes binding

Any help greatly appreciated, I really love my FFRR but I have had so much trouble recently (rear bushes, stereo, air susp. valve solenoid £550!, air susp. compressor - still waiting to afford that one!) that I'm starting to lose heart.........

Also can anyone tell me what to expect to pay for a caliper if it is indeed that and would you replace in pairs?

I have read other posts on this issue but none I could find had the same symptoms exactly......

Thanks all  FFRR Vogue 2003 4.4V8 - Epsom Green & Ivory
Ducati 999S

Last edited by Pedrochellie on 29th Jun 2012 5:30pm. Edited 1 time in total

Rear calipers were around £70 each for my TD6, flexi pipes are different depending on the fitting I was around £150 for all 4, but the cheaper ones are around £70 for set of 4

Finally solved it -

Clamped the back caliper so it was 'disconnected' and test drove carefully for a few miles and checked disc - all cold, great so it's not a binding hand brake. Then cleaned caliper thouroughily and replaced and test drove again with all working how it should - disc got hot again, damn it! Next replaced the brake hose (£80 with postage ) bled the system and test drove again - poblem solved - no hot rear disc And here we are 2 weeks or so later and all working fine.

Never would have thought the hose could do this!!

Hope this may help someone in the future!  FFRR Vogue 2003 4.4V8 - Epsom Green & Ivory
Ducati 999S

How odd?

The same wheel has just started binding on mine with the hub/disk/wheel getting hot and smelling of "Clutch" !

I guess I will have to take wheel off and have a look but for some reason I suspect binding handbrake (Manual Style) any tips on checking this?

Hi Gaz,

This was awhile ago now but in the end although the hose worked for a few more weeks the same thing happened again - this time I took the caliper off and had it reconditioned and it worked fine ever since. apparently they all seize left rear caliper at some point in their life - who knows why and always the left rear! Bizarre!

My FFRR was sold awhile ago, just couldn't put up with the unreliability and bills.......real shame as boy did I love that motor, and still do

On another note my mate just bought a 2007 TDV8, 94k full service , mint etc etc - two months after turbo goes, sucks all oil out of the engine and the motor is a write off!!!!!!!!

I was planning on buying one of those in the future but that's it, never again after mine and my mates experience - got to be the worst motor on the planet. FFRR Vogue 2003 4.4V8 - Epsom Green & Ivory
Ducati 999S

Mine seized on the RHS.....! Stolen / Gone: 2006MY Supercharged LPG Autobiography - Zambezi Silver with Sand/Jet/Jet Oxford Leather.....

good ol RR  FFRR Vogue 2003 4.4V8 - Epsom Green & Ivory
Ducati 999S

Mine is also Drivers Side (RHS)

Both mine have seized, cheap pagid one form ecp works fine as a replacement, did mine on the drive. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6