Sticking brakes.

Dogman

Member
 Northern Ireland
My car is garaged all the time with the handbrake on. It has been sitting for a couple of weeks now and when i went to move it today it was if the brakes were stuck. I assume that if it was wet the last time it was driven that the discs and pads rust up. It freed after I tried giong backwards and forwards with a large metal bang type noise. Is there any way to prevent this, as it only does it in wet weather. 07 2.0 with only 8500 miles. I have thought of not applying the handbrake and putting chocks at the wheels.Thanks in advance.
 
If you're going to leave it parked up for a while (eg, few weeks), leave the handbrake off and just put it in gear.
chocks are a good idea also.

The "normal" brakes won't stick (or if they do, it won't be with any force) in those kind of situations.
 
Dogman - just to add to SK93's comment the handbrake actually operates old style brake shoes inside the rear rotors. It is these that stick on. It's also not so much rust as damp that bonds the lining to the steel of the hub and it won't come lose when you take the handbrake off as it only has fairly weak spring to pull them back.

Advice is good to never leave the handbrake on for extended periods.
 
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