Brakes seized on mid journey

Brakes seized on mid journey

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PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,783 posts

243 months

Tuesday 11th May 2021
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No idea how this has happened as the car is being used once or twice a week, the brakes on my car have seized on. Not only that, but they have seized on mid journey.

First I knew was as I slowed at the end of a dual carriageway section and realised I was slowing down v quick. Got to a side street and that’s it. Stopped and stuck.

The only solution I can think of is to lose some brake fluid and gently drive using the gears and handbrake.

But any thoughts as to how this could happened??

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,783 posts

243 months

Tuesday 11th May 2021
quotequote all
Yeah, I left all that out in case there were any general pointers, but as you've asked...

1987 Porsche 928 S4, discs all round, conventional cable handbrake. No clues beforehand that something was awry.

I'm going back to have a look later and see if I can crack the two nuts where the brake lines come into the master cylinder to see if any pressure can be released.

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,783 posts

243 months

Tuesday 11th May 2021
quotequote all
finlo said:
Seized caliper, disc rubs gets hot expands then locks had it on the motorhome.
That would fit. It felt like a rear brake as I can go forwards, we’ll sort of, but not backwards. And the fronts were all looked at only a few months ago when I changed the pads and discs. The rears looked OK so I left them... Doh!

Right, if that’s the case then it should just drive home OK now - all cooked down.

Will report in later...

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,783 posts

243 months

Tuesday 11th May 2021
quotequote all
Went back to the car this evening, and a full cooldown seems to have done the trick. It rolled forward when the handbrake was released, so I used that to get me home.

Tried the brake pedal when I got home, and the first push was squishy, though by the third it was back to normal feel.

Anyway, parked up until I can get to the rears for a proper look.

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,783 posts

243 months

Thursday 13th May 2021
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Thanks all. Well, it seems I can drive the car, albeit for about a mile before the brakes are locked on again. Booked in for a brake strip down and new hoses. Possible that the master cylinder is having a laugh too. As long as it’s not the servo, cos the engine’s in the way...

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,783 posts

243 months

Monday 24th May 2021
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Krikkit said:
PomBstard said:
Thanks all. Well, it seems I can drive the car, albeit for about a mile before the brakes are locked on again. Booked in for a brake strip down and new hoses. Possible that the master cylinder is having a laugh too. As long as it’s not the servo, cos the engine’s in the way...
What's the word them PomBstard? Must admit it sounded like a stuck-on caliper to me.
No news yet - can't get it into the indy specialist for another couple of weeks - there are a multiple 928s being worked on in that place, including a really rather sparkly GTS...

Did have a chat though, and we just won't know until its up on a hoist and being stripped. Looking in the engine bay, there's no way to get that servo out with the engine in place - and having seen one out of the car, I can see why.

I'll keep y'all updated when I know...

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,783 posts

243 months

Thursday 17th June 2021
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Well, got it sorted this week. Brake master cylinder was the culprit - no problem with brake lines or hoses, or the servo - phew!. We’re not entirely sure of the mechanism of failure that caused the brakes to jam on, but oddly it was just the rears that were getting stuck.

Anyway, the 928 Doctor had already ordered one from Porsche Germany a couple of weeks ago when this first happened, so a spare was on hand. thumbup

Should note that this looked like the original master cylinder too - so that’s 35 years old…

So, just the A/C, springs/dampers, exhaust and wheels to go…eek

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,783 posts

243 months

Thursday 17th June 2021
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GreenV8S said:
PomBstard said:
We’re not entirely sure of the mechanism of failure that caused the brakes to jam on
My guess would be scoring or crud preventing the piston from returning to the rest position.
Considering it’s age, that’s our best guess too, just haven’t seen these symptoms of failure before.

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,783 posts

243 months

Friday 18th June 2021
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I’d not seen it in nearly 35 years of driving, owning and working on various cars. And the specialist had never seen it in about 40 years of working on front engines Porsches. But now we have thumbup

Anyway, pic to show why I’m at least pleased it wasn’t the servo - just behind the master cylinder…


PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,783 posts

243 months

Friday 18th June 2021
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Scrump said:
Glad to hear you have it sorted.
That picture of your 928 is a bit of a tease! Can we see the whole thing please? cloud9
Thanks, and whilst it’s entirely the wrong thread, as you’ve asked nicely…