Caliper forze? HELP

[CarTrader29]

Something is wrong with my brakes. I think my driverside rear caliper froze up or something. This morning I went to drive the car and it snowed over night. Anyway once I started to drive it felt like my e-brakes were still on. I checked like 2 times to make sure it wasnt and started to drive. After awhile it got better but it still is alittle locked up cuz I can smell my brake pad burning. Car brakes fine and I even tried to brake hard to see what would happen. Did the cold do something to the brakes? How can I fix this without repairing the caliper or replacing it?

 

[jtmcinder]

After driving a bit, check the temp of the caliper. This will tell you if it's the regular brakes that have seized (the caliper will be warm or hot) or the parking brake (the caliper will not be hot, but the rotor will). It seems much more likely that you had some water in your parking brake line and it is what seized. Brake fluid is rather difficult to freeze.

- Jtoby

 

[TSiAWD666]

Is there fluid in the parking break system? I just guessed it was all cable driven, but I've never actually inspected the whole thing from the handle to the drums... just the ends which are cables, hehe.

 

[jtmcinder]

No, there is not supposed to be fluid in the parking brake, but that doesn't stop water from getting in there and freezing. You see, water has no access to the internet, so it can't do a search for "do I belong in the parking brake cable housing?" before deciding whether or not to go in there. Most water molecules have their acts together and stay out even without anonymous advice in the form of 0s and 1s, but there's always one smart-ass around - have you noticed that? - and he or she can cause the cable to freeze and seize.

- Jtoby

 

[CarTrader29]

so it shouldnt be something I should worry about? It only happened today cuz last night it got really cold out and started snowing. Other than that I never had this problem. Also, wouldnt it go away as I drive?

 

[TSiAWD666]

... but there's always one smart-ass around - have you noticed that? - and he or she can cause the cable to freeze and seize.
- Jtoby

I'm guessing you are The One? hahaha

 

[jtmcinder]

so it shouldnt be something I should worry about? It only happened today cuz last night it got really cold out and started snowing. Other than that I never had this problem. Also, wouldnt it go away as I drive?

Well, I can't much value in worrying about it, but, at the same time, I can't see it fixing itself until spring. And everytime that you drive with one or both parking brakes on, you aren't doing your car any favors, especially if it's only one.

Tomorrow morning, pump the parking brake on and off a few times. (Make sure that nobody is watching, however, as this action could be misinterpreted if seen from a distance.) See if it seems to be loose when lowered, as in stuck at the on position. If it is, then my guess is correct and you really ought to fix it. You see, it takes a while for any heat to get to the cable housing (given where it is), so as it gets colder out, this problem will only get worse and worse ... until it suddenly fixes itself (belying something in the above paragraph), but that is when you have toasted your parking-brake pads.

- Jtoby

ps. Yeah, I'm The One, although I can't for the life of me remember if this means I took the red or the blue pill

 

[CarTrader29]

thanks I'll try that out. Amazingly today it did it again but after about 15 mins of driving it went away.... its probably gonna come back tomorrow so I'll try and see whats up.