Problem with brake heating up.
Discussion
Hi guys, have a problem with my V70 P2 2001 2.4i. I was driving home, a 13 mile journey when towards the end, after a fast bit, I flt the car start to quiver, as if one rear wheel had thrown its weights, it became hard to maintain speed on a light throttle. I was sure I'd had a puncture so I pulled in once I found a safe place.
I got out the car and walked round it to check things. The rear nearside wheel well was pumping out smoke, pad material stinking and the disk was glowing cherry red. I let the disk cool befoe I moved off again, did the final two miles to the house at @30 and disk was dull red when I stopped. Only thing different was that I had to pull the handbrake lever up a lot more for it to be effective
Left it overnight, but had to go to work next morning at 7 AM. I drove like Miss Daisy for the 13 miles to work, set the handbrake which went up about 10 clicks instead of the usual 5 clicks, I checked the wheel which was cold to the touch and no cherry red glow. I have had to do the same journey for the last 4 days, with no time for taking off the wheel for a look, with no overheating issues. I haven't readjusted the handbrake or done anything at all.
My main question is, is the problem coming from the handbrake shoes heating up the brakes, transferring heat to the disk and making the caliper stick? It hasn't stuck since and the brake pedal is firm with no travel to suggest a sticking caliper. I have ordered a new caliper anyway, on the assumption that if it gets warm, it shouldn't jam, so it is probably on the way out.
Could a too tightly adjusted shoe make the whole thing heat up enough to make the caliper stick?
I can't take a look at the state of things for another 4 days, but it is all running OK at the moment.
I got out the car and walked round it to check things. The rear nearside wheel well was pumping out smoke, pad material stinking and the disk was glowing cherry red. I let the disk cool befoe I moved off again, did the final two miles to the house at @30 and disk was dull red when I stopped. Only thing different was that I had to pull the handbrake lever up a lot more for it to be effective
Left it overnight, but had to go to work next morning at 7 AM. I drove like Miss Daisy for the 13 miles to work, set the handbrake which went up about 10 clicks instead of the usual 5 clicks, I checked the wheel which was cold to the touch and no cherry red glow. I have had to do the same journey for the last 4 days, with no time for taking off the wheel for a look, with no overheating issues. I haven't readjusted the handbrake or done anything at all.
My main question is, is the problem coming from the handbrake shoes heating up the brakes, transferring heat to the disk and making the caliper stick? It hasn't stuck since and the brake pedal is firm with no travel to suggest a sticking caliper. I have ordered a new caliper anyway, on the assumption that if it gets warm, it shouldn't jam, so it is probably on the way out.
Could a too tightly adjusted shoe make the whole thing heat up enough to make the caliper stick?
I can't take a look at the state of things for another 4 days, but it is all running OK at the moment.
Yes. But not a lot of point in posting 'I haven't a clue' in answer to your question.
You need to start by stripping & examining the area in question to check that all is free & nothing is sticking - handbrake cables/levers etc - and that the shoes aren't worn unusually on the wheel in question or that a lining has detached.
I've always found that just looking at it & hoping for divine inspiration rarely works
You need to start by stripping & examining the area in question to check that all is free & nothing is sticking - handbrake cables/levers etc - and that the shoes aren't worn unusually on the wheel in question or that a lining has detached.
I've always found that just looking at it & hoping for divine inspiration rarely works
Edited by paintman on Sunday 30th October 10:28
Hi Guys, thanks for the replies. I'm still on 12 hours night shifts so no time to look at the car yet.
It has new disk, handbrake shoes and fitting kit, and new pads. I did notice the caliper was very rusted when fitting the new parts. All parts were fitted about 3 weeks ago in preparation for the MOT. The problem is that the disk drags, but sometimes frees especially if cold and not going fast. I have no idea why the new handbrake parts would suddenly need adjustment, unless the heat from the caliper caused drag on the shoes. I'm not sure which part is heating up first, but I suspect the disk caliper, as it's the oldest part. I will just have to wait util the part arrives and I'm off work to have a look, and in the meantime, keep the speed down.
ETA - supplier has emailed saying the courier has lost the parcel containing the caliper. Brilliant.
Another delay. At this rate, I'll probably be able to shave with the disk. 
Eta - Caliper arrived and fitted - feels a lot better, local motorway has 40mph average speed cameras all over it, so I'll have to find somewhere else to check it has stopped overheating.
It has new disk, handbrake shoes and fitting kit, and new pads. I did notice the caliper was very rusted when fitting the new parts. All parts were fitted about 3 weeks ago in preparation for the MOT. The problem is that the disk drags, but sometimes frees especially if cold and not going fast. I have no idea why the new handbrake parts would suddenly need adjustment, unless the heat from the caliper caused drag on the shoes. I'm not sure which part is heating up first, but I suspect the disk caliper, as it's the oldest part. I will just have to wait util the part arrives and I'm off work to have a look, and in the meantime, keep the speed down.
ETA - supplier has emailed saying the courier has lost the parcel containing the caliper. Brilliant.
Another delay. At this rate, I'll probably be able to shave with the disk. Eta - Caliper arrived and fitted - feels a lot better, local motorway has 40mph average speed cameras all over it, so I'll have to find somewhere else to check it has stopped overheating.
Edited by Tunku on Thursday 3rd November 17:52
Edited by Tunku on Thursday 10th November 14:14
Edited by Tunku on Thursday 10th November 20:58
Have this problem on our Honda occaiaionally ours is the caliper sticking slightly and I dont think the garage made sure the caliper was wound fully back when they did the rear pads 11 months 14k miles ago.
I will do it this time and clean and grease the sliders thoroughly with copper grease and have invested in a wind back kit from ebay. If the caliper sticks the heat generated can effect the Handbrake operation too so when its off check and get it completely clean.
I will do it this time and clean and grease the sliders thoroughly with copper grease and have invested in a wind back kit from ebay. If the caliper sticks the heat generated can effect the Handbrake operation too so when its off check and get it completely clean.
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