Sticking brakes/handbrake?

inkey$

Lifer
 Sevenoaks & Suffolk
Okay, so havent driven the car since last Monday and went to reverse the car out of my garage tonight. In the past the car has, if been sat for a few days, been reluctant to reverse before a twang from the back wheels almost like the brakes were ceased slightly on the disks and then after some revvy reversing freed up and all was well again.

This evening it was bad enough to the point that when I tried to reverse the car reared up at the back, didnt move and felt like I was trying to reverse up a kerb - thats the only way of describing it. Revved more, still no movement. Revved a lot harder and after a loud mechanical twang she finally started reversing normally.

Now I know some sticking is normal but this seems slightly ridiculous.

Any ideas? Really dont like the experience, sound etc and surely this cant be normal right?
 
Sticky callipers? Or maybe shot brake pads? Mine did it once or twice after a week's rest but it wasn't that severe. Noticed anything out of the ordinary with your brake discs after it's done it? Hope you get it sorted soon mate.
 
Sticky brakes:
I had this fault once, -my fault, I had washed the car and put it straight in the garage.The car was not used for about a week, and when I did try to drive it the n/s/r brake was seized solid ! ( Drove it 1st and then reverse to free the brakes ) Now I always give the car a good run to dry out brakes after washing. No sticky brakes now !
 
Cheers fellas. I'll check the discs tomorrow. Not noticed anything out of the ordinary but will take a closer inspection. Funnily enough, when I drove it Monday it was about 20 yards to wash it then 20 yards back again to the garage so that may have made the problem worse. Will take for a brake drying session next time I wash her.

It's truly a horrible sensation and sound. Feels like I'm doing real damage :cry:

EDIT: Parking with handbrake off tonight to see what happens tomorrow too.
 
You do realise the handbrake operates on drums inside the top hats of the disks, not the calipers?

Drive the car for 100m with the handbrake manually pulled up enough to cause resistance and it will smooth any rust off. If that fails they need stripping down for a look.
 
Thanks Cj. Funnily enough I just found and old post from you explaining the whole drum bell/shoe thing so will take that advice and that of not using the handbrake too much and see if that rectifies the issue. :thumbsup:
 
Mine used to do this now and then, but now I just park it and leave it in gear with the handbrake off.
 
mmm-five said:
Mine used to do this now and then, but now I just park it and leave it in gear with the handbrake off.

My sister has to do that with her VW Polo. Despite having taken it to VW to get it sorted. Then last week she forgot to leave it in gear and it rolled into a wall :headbang:

The poor girl is pretty upset since she's currently earning peanuts :(
 
mmm-five said:
Mine used to do this now and then, but now I just park it and leave it in gear with the handbrake off.


I'm the same, its a habit now, cant remember the last time I used my handbrake.
Had a one time, never again experience of parking a car for 2 weeks in winter with the handbrake on........ :lol:
 
inkey$ said:
20 yards to wash it then 20 yards back again

There's your problem!

Like you suggest - take it for a little drive to get some heat into the brakes (including handbrake) before you put it away.

Good luck.

:thumbsup:
 
All sorted and a lesson to anybody. Dont wash your car and then leave the handbrake on for any length of time! Now Ive just got to get used to not using the handbrake instictively :P

Blacklines - hows that new motor of yours? No more points I hope :thumbsdown:
 
Except for 17mpg I am loving it.

Different beast to your car. I feel older and more sensible but it is fun and fast and gadgety and cool and grin inducing and expensive!

web.jpg
 
I remember washing our e46 xmas eve couple of years ago then reversing straight back into the garage and leaving until the day after boxing day-wouldnt budge rocking back and forth in first and reverse-must of took 10,000 miles off the clutch -burnt smell in the garage for days after-i never did that again! :cry:
 
I've always had that problem after washing the car. If I can't pop the brakes it 1 quick pop, reverse can sometimes do it. If it's bad I chuck water over the back brakes and the problem goes... Shame you can't just spray some wd40 on it and be done with it...
 
Back
Top Bottom