Polo GT handbrake problem

[cjb44]

My wife's Polo GT, 14 plate, has just been serviced and MOT by a local independent. MOT passed but advised that the handbrake on one rear calliper is not fully releasing. Apparently, the arm that operates the pad and goes into the calliper is stiff and not fully returning, it was not a failure but incidentally was also mentioned last year. They are telling me that the calliper needs replacing to cure the problem and cannot be repaired because it is integral with the calliper. They have always been good and not done unnecessary work in the past and have always been instructed to carry out any work necessary but to 'phone me if the job is major, for approval, before carrying out any work; they are also competent mechanics and not just fitters.
Now I am not conversant with modern braking systems and now am too old and unfit to drag wheels off to check if this item can be repaired or not. In the old days, something like this could be serviced to eradicate the problem however, I am suspicious that replacing the calliper is the easy option and am guessing it will come with a VW premium price; I am not however prepared to sacrifice my wife's safety for not doing the job properly.

Has anyone had this problem, are the callipers sealed for life or can they be stripped to ease the movement of this arm, and of course would that not be cost effective. I am mindful that if the calliper is replaced that new pads will be required and I would suggest that the pads on the other calliper be replaced at the same time.
Any advice or experience on this would be welcome.

TIA

[Paynewright]

Lots of these calipers have the handbrake actuation being applied to the back of the piston inside the caliper, so need seals on the mechanism.

Just checked Eurocarparts for a new 2014 polo caliper - £77 which I didn’t think was too bad. I think the time and repair kit to fix your existing one would be more than this with no guarantee of a cure.

If pads were still good I’d refit them.

[Polome]

Had the same problem with another polo…squirted a bit of oil on the spindle of the brake operating lever at the rear of the calliper and operated the handbrake a few times …he presto the lever worked nice n free again. Worth a try….just take care where where you squirt the oil !

[cjb44]

Thanks for the replies guys, and yes I have always felt that there would be an operating arm pivot that could be lubricated. But as said previously I am now not capable of doing this, may have to co-opt someone else to give it a try.

[Polome]

To add , the lubrication can be done by lying on ground and stretching under car from rear , no need to remove wheels. I understand you have mobility problems so might be difficult.

[kev b]

Probably a good idea to check that the cable is free before changing the caliper?

[cjb44]

Thanks, guys for all the replies, I will try on my back from behind as suggested, perhaps with WD40 for a start. Just hope I can up again otherwise my wife will not be impressed!!