Brakes seize after washing

Brakes seize after washing

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Discussion

iandews

Original Poster:

2,890 posts

184 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
I'm sure (hope) this is a common issue, but I generally wash my car weekly, usually late Sunday as I don't need it during the week. When I come to drive it a few days later, I always find the car is locked in position and requires a fair bit of higher revs and rocking to get it moving, usually with an uncomfortable bang.

I have read this is quite common on VAG cars, but just wanted to check on here. Is the only real option to drive the car around the block a few times and warm the brakes a little before parking up? I guess that will dry them and reduce the build up of that nasty orange rust?

willmac

1,816 posts

177 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Very bad idea, as your finding out, to park a car up for any length of time just after washing it.
As you say , it will need a drive to displace the water.

nsm3

2,831 posts

209 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Drying the brakes off by going around the block is the way to solve the locking problem - but you have to wait until they are properly dry, or you end up with a trail of black, sludgy brake dust/water which will centrifuge all over your nice clean wheels!

kayc

4,492 posts

234 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
iandews said:
I'm sure (hope) this is a common issue, but I generally wash my car weekly, usually late Sunday as I don't need it during the week. When I come to drive it a few days later, I always find the car is locked in position and requires a fair bit of higher revs and rocking to get it moving, usually with an uncomfortable bang.

I have read this is quite common on VAG cars, but just wanted to check on here. Is the only real option to drive the car around the block a few times and warm the brakes a little before parking up? I guess that will dry them and reduce the build up of that nasty orange rust?
Should always drive it to dry the brakes after washing as you will get the problem you have mentioned..usual problem is you then have to clean the wheels again as all the wet brake dust mucks them up...baby wipes work!!

itsybitsy

5,538 posts

198 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
never put a car away with wet discs!i always wash the car then lightly hose the wheels and discs to remove the crap then clean the wheels and take for a drive before putting away.there might be a few spots of crap on the inner wheels but is easily removed with a damp rag(great thing about spyder wheels you can get your hand in between the spokes to clean)

Waitforme

1,302 posts

177 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
I wash mine then just push it into the garage, I never use the handbrake when leaving in the garage whether it's been washed or not. I have found in the past the brakes stick if left for any length of time

supersport

4,406 posts

240 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Drive it round the block, especialy since modern discs rust as soon as you walk past a car with a bucket of water.

Martian O

2,734 posts

175 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Or buy PCCBs! biglaugh

mikecassie

643 posts

172 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Use the wife's hairdryer to dry the discs if you don't want to take the car for a short spin round the block. It worked for me, until she moved out.....

stubbsy996

785 posts

226 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
kayc said:
Should always drive it to dry the brakes after washing as you will get the problem you have mentioned..usual problem is you then have to clean the wheels again as all the wet brake dust mucks them up...baby wipes work!!
What he said! Always take mine round the block when I've washed it but wait until Ive done this before finishing wheels off (inner and outer rims).

MrC986

3,635 posts

204 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
The other option is to try not to soak the discs with water - You will find that it is a common service response amongst certain dealers to say that the inside face of the discs is corroded otherwise. If you can't drive the car after washing it on a regular basis, you might also find that the pads leave a mark on the face of the discs and worse still might start to almost bind.

willmac

1,816 posts

177 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
mikecassie said:
Use the wife's hairdryer to dry the discs if you don't want to take the car for a short spin round the block. It worked for me, until she moved out.....
That one made me chuckle........ Been there

Nurburgsingh

5,317 posts

251 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Turning it on its head....

Instead of washing it after you've used it for the weekend, how about washing it at the. Whining of the weekend just before you go for the drive you were going on anyway?

MadMark911

1,755 posts

162 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
mikecassie said:
Use the wife's hairdryer to dry the discs if you don't want to take the car for a short spin round the block. It worked for me, until she moved out.....
Or for those that aren't hairdressers - a heat gun set low! wink

willmac

1,816 posts

177 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Another option is one of these here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dog-Pet-Grooming-Hair-Dr...
A tad expensive I suppose , but I got one to save having to dry off the whole car, not only the brakes. Get a good layer of wax on the car, then using one of these the water just runs off and you get all the water out of the usual water traps round the lights and door shuts etc. No chamois, no drying cloths, no swirls in the paint. Works a treat but the neighbours do think you look a tw*t !

bobsan

495 posts

232 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
i've found toothpaste works well smeared on disc surface,stops rust attacking if vehicle's left wet overnight, colgate seems slightly better than say crest or sensodyne......

iandews

Original Poster:

2,890 posts

184 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Nurburgsingh said:
Turning it on its head....

Instead of washing it after you've used it for the weekend, how about washing it at the. Whining of the weekend just before you go for the drive you were going on anyway?
Valid question but the car lives outside under a cover, so needs washing before I put the car to bed for a few days rest!

Trev450

6,534 posts

185 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
bobsan said:
i've found toothpaste works well smeared on disc surface,stops rust attacking if vehicle's left wet overnight, colgate seems slightly better than say crest or sensodyne......
Novel idea. I suppose the cavity filling versions though would turn your drilled disks into solids!

red_slr

18,828 posts

202 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
I used to have this problem on my 997.
I used to wash the car, incl cleaning the wheels, would then take her round the block - about 1/2 a mile, do a couple 30-10mph slows.
There was often a bit of brake dust sludge but I would wipe this off and then wax the wheels. Park in the garage and leave in gear, handbrake off.

I would sometimes clean out the brake vents on the discs with a drill and my air line - but it was a long messy job and they would be full again a few weeks later so gave up on that idea.

iandews

Original Poster:

2,890 posts

184 months

Wednesday 24th October 2012
quotequote all
willmac said:
Another option is one of these here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dog-Pet-Grooming-Hair-Dr...
A tad expensive I suppose , but I got one to save having to dry off the whole car, not only the brakes. Get a good layer of wax on the car, then using one of these the water just runs off and you get all the water out of the usual water traps round the lights and door shuts etc. No chamois, no drying cloths, no swirls in the paint. Works a treat but the neighbours do think you look a tw*t !
Does that kind of system work well, never thought about that! Fortunately my drive is hidden from view so won't feel like too much of a d!ck. Annoyingly I've just spent £15 on a drying towel!