Brakes intermittently sticking on

[DMC63]

Took the Z out for a top down spin today. It's a Z4, 2003 2.5i, I noticed after half hour of driving that the brakes were slightly stuck on. The car would roll on a very slight incline (not hill) but stop prematurely as if I had my foot ever so lightly on the brake. The brakes stayed like this until I got home, and the brake pedal felt sligthly hard while this was happening. I jacked up the car and checked all the wheels. It seems the 2 front are sticking a bit. By the time I'd put the jack away and moved the car it was back to normal again. This has happened a couple of times before but I never really gave too much thought until today. It doesn't happen all the time. Any ideas?

 

[Jl-c]

I would guess heat. Remove pads all round, clean the sliders and wire brush the calipers where the pads sit/ slide. Lubricate sliding surfaces with ceratec or similar and reassemble. You should be ok. If not then you may have to consider a refurb of calipers.

 

[Jembo]

Seized caliper is a very common issue, had it on my ole 3.0 E85.

Recommended cure, go find yourself a set of 330i calipers from the scrappy in reasonable condition - great guide in the how to section

U can then upgrade your front discs & pads to 325mm to have the same spec as the post facelift 3.0... makes shaving off speed far more relaxed

Meyle discs, pads your choice

 

[DMC63]

Thanks guys, budget is tight atm so I'll have to look into the all round clean for starters.

 

[Cees Klumper]

Many times this is caused by the brake hoses swelling up on the inside. Not visible from outside. The pressure forces the pads onto the discs, and then due to the restrictions in the hoses the pads won't retract. If it's been a long time since your hoses were replaced, try that first.

 

[DMC63]

Many times this is caused by the brake hoses swelling up on the inside. Not visible from outside. The pressure forces the pads onto the discs, and then due to the restrictions in the hoses the pads won't retract. If it's been a long time since your hoses were replaced, try that first.

Thanks for the info...I've been watcing a few vids on youtube regards internal swelling/corrosion of brake hoses. It totally surprised me and seems to be likely the cause of my fronts sticking (hopefully). The car is 16 years only and has original hoses on. So, it's hose change time and I'll report back.