Frank996

I have now had my 2002 C4S for 2 weeks and driven it four times (two short trips for about 5 min and two longer trips over 1 hour). Yes I know, but the weather has not been good to me and I work long hours but I look at it everz single evening I come home from work

So basically, I only get to drive it on Saturdays/Sundays (i.e. last two weekends)...

I noticed the second time I took it out it felt like the brakes did not release straight away in the sense like they had been frozen to the braking disc (as I did give it a good wash the night before and the temp dropped to well below zero). The car did move with a little hesitation to start with but then all was fine after that.

Took it out again the next day and smooth release from lowering the hand brake and no resistance at all.

Now a week later and 7deg C warm outside, the same happened. It was like the brakes had freezes to the braking discs (like water freezing on metal) and made a sound corresponding to what one would believe sounded like something. Nothing loud or a sound that would indicate something breaking but never-the-less a "worrying"(?) sound. I drove off slowly and when braking for the first 2 or so times it sounded a little "rough" but not unpleasant in the sense like something was going horribly wrong, but like some dirt or whatever was stuck in there. Then it went all fine the rest of the 5 min drive to the store.

I checked each of the brakes (the red types if it makes any difference) when parking at the super market and nothing looked, smelt (I try to smell everything if something seems odd) or felt different from usual. No further sounds or strange behavior on my return. Brakes are responsive and sensitive depending on how much pressure I apply and no waring lights came on...

The car has just had its MOT (bi-yearly compulsory EU check) passing with flying colours, so any idea what it may be? Should I be worried?

Mark I

Frank: moisture plus time will result in a film of rust on the discs that the pads remove with brake application, which is probably what you are describing. If if persists outside of those conditions, it could be a sticky caliper...but, odds are just the first.

nymart

Frank, this happens to me every single time I wash the car or I have driven in the rain...the next morning when I back out of the garage it's "sticky" and then I stop at the end of the driveway it makes a little scraping sound...after that, no issues whatsoever...so I would guess it's just rust film as Mark I has stated.

Ubermensch

Agreed. Totally normal when driving in cold/wet conditions. It even happens when I wash my car and then let it sit for a day or two. You'll break it free and the surface rust with be scrubbed off with the first application or two of the pads.

Mark I

@Frank...Ok, es ist jetz einstimmig...habe keine Sorgen; fahr einfach weiter u. veil Spass!

Rob996

Agreed.. Whenever moisture is present combined with lack of use can do this for the first few minutes of driving. It happened to me after washing my car.

Not to worry

Frank996

Thanks all... I really appreciate your replies so no more sleepless nights Feel less stressed indeed.

Have a great weekend...

F

Pac996

Could of sworn I read the hand brake is seperate from the foot brake. Different pads are used. You could just lightly drag the pads while rolling out the driveway or when driving away to clean them off if you think there's offending crud hanging on.

02TX996Cab

IMHO what you are experiencing is the parking brake "sticking". This happens to me also after I wash my car, unless I take it for a drive right after washing it. (A "spin" dry )

Note, the parking brake is indeed separate from the normal discs. It is actually a "drum type" brake located in the rear hubs.

Goldenwarrior1

As others stated, happens to me every time I was the car and then leave it parked in the garage. The rear rotors are called "hat" rotors as they resemble a top hat with the inside of the rotor having a machined surface for the parking pads.

Frank996

Another grear piece of information I was not aware of You live and learn

PS. Am I bit weird in wanting to wash my car after each time I have driven in it?

street rod

^^^No but what I do it always take my car for a spin right after I wash it to avoid this.

Barn996

Exactly!^^

Ed99

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