Frozen Brakes

[Guest ratherhaveanewone]

Well its -5 outside and the rear drivers side brake is frozen solid (again) !

 

In the old days water in the brake fulid was the usual suspect

 

So

 

a) Anything I can do to un-freeze them

 

:angry: Why is it happening

 

John

[Andrew T]

A more likely culprit is the handbrake mechanism which acts on the rear brake pads. Gentle application of heat from a hairdryer on the actuator lever then manipulation of the lever with molegrips should shift it. You can do this without jacking up, by crawling under the rear bumper.

 

I had a problem with the handbrake seizing last summer, and I found that both handbrake actuators were caked with dried mud. Maybe you're suffering from frozen mud ? I now make a point of directing the jet wash lance at the back of the brakes when washing the car and haven't the problem since, although I tend to leave in gear if it's on the drive rather than on the handbrake.

[toneinblack]

Ive also had this problem ( not frozen but sticking ) And as above said, its the handbrake sticking at the rear wheel end, And i also crawled under the back and you can push the lever up to release the brake. I also now leave the car in gear when parked and dont pull the handbrake all the way up .

[Andrew T]

You can effect a permanent cure for very little work.

 

Crawl under the back, break all the mud off with a screw driver followed by a wash with a stiff brush. Direct some spay oil (

[Guest ratherhaveanewone]

Whats spay oil ?

[Masked Marauder]

WD40 etc, but I prefer spray grease or spray-on motorbike chain oil as it won't wash off with the roadspray.

[gregers]

would silicone spray not be even better?seems to take ages to wear off