Valiante

Hi all,

I'm fairly new to S2000 ownership (just a few weeks now) but I have my first problem I'd like to get checked out.. a sticky brake... the car comes to a stop by itself at low speeds, as though I'm lightly on the brakes when I'm not, and after a longish drive, the NSF wheel gets fairly hot, so I'm pretty sure that's the culprit - haven't had a chance to jack it up to verify.

The last time I had a car like this (an imported MR2 GT Turbo) I used a local Toyota specialist to handle all servicing & repairs, thus maintaining a fairly respectable service history in the process. Since selling the MR2 in 2006 I've had fairly run-of-the-mill cars and have either taken them to a local mechanic for servicing & MOT, occasionally swinging by Kwik Fit for simple stuff like tyres, exhaust & wheel alignment - their customer service of late has actually been surprisingly excellent.

So now I'm back in something a little more niche, which has a combination of Honda main dealer and TGM Sport Racing (Mugen specialist) service history; In order to maintain this, I'd planned to look for a local Honda specialist (South Essex) but it's not due a service until late spring, so hadn't worried until now. But now I have this issue, I'm wondering if it even warrants a specialist, or if I should just take it to my local independent mechanic, or even (perhaps controversially) Kwik Fit!

Would really appreciate your thoughts on this.

Val.

s2k4tony

Hi Val...

If you're competent at DIY, strip it down and check for a seized piston.Inspect the piston boot for possible water ingress that could cause the seizure. Normally it's better to make sure you've identified the easy stuff first, before you start looking at other reasons for it dragging the caliper. You know what garages can sometimes be like looking for faults, despite your trust in them (i.e charging you for their labour).
If it's a seized piston, see if you can free it up. There's a few threads on rear calipers if you search, with many solutions to different issues. I just did one of these on my Mk5 Golf a couple of months ago, turned out it was dragging due to a split rubber boot holding the piston. Alas, the piston was knacked so fitting a recon caliper & bleeding the brakes turned out to be super easy. I even used the wife to press the brake pedal whilst bleeding! you see there are uses to women!

Valiante

Alas, therein lies the problem. I'm mediocre at best, and when it comes to brakes, I steer well clear and leave it to the pros. Definitely want to take it to someone, just trying to work out who.

unclefester

Wouldn't worry about the piston first , it's the caliper sliders and the grease boot covers that you need to check / inspect. Plenty of threads on how to do that

PaulF

Assuming you don't fancy having a crack at it yourself I would use a specialist to do the work before I went to Kwik Fit and the like. Remember, whilst the S may not be massively quick by modern standards, it's still a performance car; I would choose my service agent accordingly. If you know of a decent specialist I'd use them.

BenRNBP

It's good that TGM have looked after it in the past, top notch work but too far for you to travel. I'd consider getting a recon caliper (see the favourites sticky thread for ideas on where to get them from) then getting a local garage you trust to fit it, it's not really a Honda specialist job

Valiante

That, I suppose, would be my next mission. I've read mixed opinions about DMS, who seem to be the local favourite, but some have sworn never to return.


That's kinda what I was thinking. If it were a full-on service, or a major job, then no question. But for a sticky brake?

Thanks for the replies thus far.. will check out the recon caliper advice.. is there any reason besides price not to buy new?

AlexGJ248

Pretty sure DMS don't exist anymore?!

BenRNBP

it's mainly price - check our new from Honda and you'll understand
There was a thread recently that had a few of the remanufactures part codes that might help at an autofactors

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/110...t__p__23436780

lovegroova

And all in the forum Favourites sticky! https://www.s2ki.com/...st__p__23172406

Don't forget that you won't get a new carrier or slider pins with a reconditioned calliper.

For basic brake stuff, most local garages will be fine. It's bread and butter to them.