Brake Bound Up

udayap · March 14, 2015

Guys,

I am having a short term visit to US. As the transportation became a problem had to buy a pretty old Nissan Altima 2001(185000 miles). It run okay up to yesterday, but felt that the rear breaks are not released up after a stop and go (rear wheels). Today, it got aggravated and had to sought for a garage person, near by. He had a bit of test run around the garage and said that perhaps rooters, brake pads like stuff need to be replaced (perhaps costing something equal to what is spent for the car). As i realized he is going to rip me, thought of return back to the apartment.

On my way back things got even worse. Felt that the break got bound up some smoke from the front tires and smell. The car was not moving it self in D drive. So, kept the vehicle for couple of hours and it seems the problem got solved, though I was afraid to move it.

Tomorrow, I am thinking to bring it to the garage... Experts...expecting some thought on the possible cause to get equipped and not get ripped.....

thanks

Rumesh88 · March 14, 2015

Was the car left idle and exposed to rain/salty spray/water for some time? Why I ask this question is you may get brake binds but on all the wheels at the same time is somewhat unlikely or at least that is how the brakes are designed. If possible put the gear to neutral, jack up the car and see if you can rotate the wheels by hand. If it is due to rust in brake cylinders it will cost you a lot to repair the calipers. (BTW if you are in US you better be prepared to pay US prices. Car may cost you less than what you pay for an equivalent one here in SL, but the maintenance cost will be exactly opposite).

The Don · March 16, 2015

Rumesh, in my experience the big issue of brake binding is not rust on the brake cylinder but rust on the sliders. One of the major reasons for this is lack of lubrication the the sliders and some use copper greese on them which apparently is the wrong type of grease to use on sliders.

The issue is separating this from the cylinder being stuck is not easy without disassembly. Sometimes you can tell by applying the brakes and observing the movement of calipers. Sometimes you can release them by a few strategically placed hammer blows, though lubrication is best down by taking the caliper off.

In the UK and probably the US, its not economically viable to repair calipers using the caliper repair kit like SL. They nearly always replace with refurbished calipers which are exchange units (so you send the old ones back for a discount).

Splat · June 8, 2015

This triggered a story in my mind. once when my Dad was driving a motorbike he saw a line of broken wheel nuts on the road and 15m in front was a loud bang the wheel of a Leyland lorry that was driving fast on the road had come out. Many people were excited and came to help. It was a break bound issue as the friction produced immense heat that heated the rim and hub, cracking the wheel nuts off by expansion leading the wheel to fly off. many experienced skin burns after touching the very hot wheel rim and wheel nuts that had fallen along the road. I think you are very lucky.

recently I changed my wheel cylinders on my test drive I touched and inspected my steel rims for any heat to identify and friction by unwanted rub. In any situation if you hear any strange sounds coming from your wheel the first thing to do is to touch and check for heat on rims to identify any friction before going ahead.

I hope you find a good honest mechanic who can fix it all up. Take care