Vw Passat Break Calliper

[sammmo]

I got into my Passat this morning only to find there was no pressure on my break peddle and a message on the panel saying dont drive hydraulics oil problem.. looked around the car and found by my rear nr side wheel a pool of oil. anyway to cut a long story short. i got it to the garage, my brake calliper seal has gone and i need a replacement. costing £376 because its one with the hand break motor on. My questions are ..as ive recently started towing a caravan with this car, could that have caused the calliper to break.. I have only towed for around 300 miles and the caravan is within the allowed weights. also is £376 a resonable price for changing a calliper..

[tonyav]

Hand brake motor, sammmo. Whats one of those ?.

[Buenchico]

It looks like you're being charged nearly a couple of hundred quid above the price of the part:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/vw-passat-rear-caliper
That's around 2 hours labour at a main dealer or about 4 hours at a local independent garage. (I couldn't see my local guy taking much more than a hour, or two at the very most, for the job).

[TWR]

I presume you've had the job done? what the Year of your car? have you checked around for a replacement or have you left it too late.

[TWR]

Looking on Ebay, the price comes up at £180 +.

Also, there is a repaire kit.

VW, BEETLE, EOS, GOLF, PASSAT, REAR CALIPER REPAIR, 38mm - BCS3843A
Fits: VW Passat
Express delivery available £8.99
Free Postage
VW, BEETLE, EOS, GOLF, PASSAT, REAR CALIPER REPAIR, SERVICE KIT, 38mm - BCK3843A
Fits: VW Passat
Express delivery available £15.95
Free Postage

[sammmo]

yes ive told them to carry on and do the work.. the passat is a 55 plate 2ltr saloon. so it looks like im being stung a bit.. does anyone think that the towing of a caravan could have caused this unit to fail?

[tonyav]

I can't see how towing your caravan would cause this to happen, unless the handbrake was sticking on.

[mjwman]

Probably needs only new seals costing only a couple of pounds. An independant garage could do that for an hours labour.