Driving on seized brakes?

[Conor D]

Is this likely to cause any more damage? I have calipers ordered but the mechanic I normally use is a good 10 miles away. The front right is sticking pretty bad and I had a bit of a red hot disc the last time I took it out.

If I took it the 10 mile, is it likely to do anything other than destroy the pads? Could it warp the disc, destroy fluid etc?

[E30M3SE]

It could do both.

[iva cosworth]

The only answer to this is.

Do not drive with faulty brakes.

End of thread.

[John D.]

Not sure I'd fancy that. What happens if it locks completely?

I think you are right that it will cook the fluid if you drive for prolonged time on it.
A calliper seized on my 300 CE last winter. Fortunately it released by pumping the pedal a little; presume you have tried this?

[poing]

Just drive like this to the mechanic:

[Conor D]

John D. said:

Not sure I'd fancy that. What happens if it locks completely?

I guess, yea could leave me stranded.

FWIW the drive is a straight road with a hard shoulder at either side the entire way, with plenty of turn offs if it did happen to get too bad.

[Eggman]

It won't leave you stranded - the engine should be able to overcome a seized brake (unlike a collapsed bearing, where it really can lock solid with no warning). You may, however find yourself with a CU10 and 3 points for driving with defective brakes.

If you took the thing to bits you would most likely find it's either the pads sticking or the mechanism that allows the caliper to slide. 30 minutes and a bit of work with a wire brush and you'd be sorted with no need for new calipers.

[Conor D]

Eggman said:

If you took the thing to bits you would most likely find it's either the pads sticking or the mechanism that allows the caliper to slide. 30 minutes and a bit of work with a wire brush and you'd be sorted with no need for new calipers.

I had it looked at before, water got into the piston before and it was poorly repaired. Piston is now badly rusted.

[davepoth]

Conor D said:

Is this likely to cause any more damage? I have calipers ordered but the mechanic I normally use is a good 10 miles away. The front right is sticking pretty bad and I had a bit of a red hot disc the last time I took it out.

If I took it the 10 mile, is it likely to do anything other than destroy the pads? Could it warp the disc, destroy fluid etc?

Calipers are really not that hard to change - two bolts, one hose union and a bit of bleeding is all.

[Conor D]

I've considered doing it myself, but I don't really have the tools and I'd hate to mess up something. I've looked online, and it does look somewhat straight forward.

[KieronGSi]

Conor D said:

I've considered doing it myself, but I don't really have the tools and I'd hate to mess up something. I've looked online, and it does look somewhat straight forward.

In my youthful and ignorant beginnings i did exactly what you are asking about and snapped the disc.

[Conor D]

KieronGSi said:

Conor D said:

I've considered doing it myself, but I don't really have the tools and I'd hate to mess up something. I've looked online, and it does look somewhat straight forward.

In my youthful and ignorant beginnings i did exactly what you are asking about and snapped the disc.

From doing it yourself? Or driving on seized brakes?

[davepoth]

How did you snap the disc? It took me half an hour of smacking the st out of one with a hammer to do that, and I was doing it on purpose. (don't ask!)

[Fish981]

Knackered pads, discs, wheel bearing, possible fire. In roughly that order.

[thinfourth2]

Its easy

Beat 7 shades of st out of the calliper so it is off the disc

Drive to the garage hopping you don't have to brake

[Dale Bland]

You could get a mobile mechanic to do the job or ask your regular garage for advice, they may have a tow truck

[davepoth]

thinfourth2 said:

Its easy

Beat 7 shades of st out of the calliper so it is off the disc

Drive to the garage hopping you don't have to brake

Don't forget to tie the calliper to something before moving the car. Failing that just ask the garage nicely and they'll know someone who can tow you for £60 or so.