S60 Brakes: - 2005 S60 D5 94k miles - Hot rear drivers side whee

Edinburgh101 · Oct 19th, 2018, 18:41

Hello,

I was hoping for some urgent advice. I noticed this morning that my my rear drivers side wheel was radiating heat and a smell of brakes. This was after a short 5 minute trip and to my shame I then realised that my handbrake was not completely off. I released the handbrake fully and thought that was the end of it but i noticed this evening that the wheel was very hot (after a 30 minute drive).

I have no mechanical knowledge and I am due to drive up to a remote area of Scotland tomorrow morning (5 hours drive).

Can someone please help me and tell me what i should do, is it safe, is the worst case scenario just damage to the disk? Sorry for my ignorance.

Thanks a lot.

Gordon

tommyweaves · Oct 19th, 2018, 19:04

Sounds like a sticking caliper.

Edinburgh101 · Oct 19th, 2018, 19:33

Hi Tommy, thanks for your response. If that is the case is there any point in me taking the wheel off or would I need mechanical knowledge? What would happen if I were to continue driving?

Thanks

tommyweaves · Oct 19th, 2018, 19:42

Little you can do if you don't really know what you're looking at; however:

Chock the front wheels, on a level surface of course, and then jack up the rear. With the handbrake off, see if you can turn the offending wheel by hand. If the wheel turns then the caliper is not sticking. I suspect however that you'll find it hard to turn if not downright difficult.

If the caliper is sticking then it's your risk as to whether you drive it or not. People probably drive for months with a sticking caliper and don't even know it, but it's not recommended!

tommyweaves · Oct 19th, 2018, 19:50

If you're going up into remote areas I imagine it will be hilly, and therefore you really need your brakes working properly.

As a minimum (assuming it IS a sticking caliper) then I'd try and get hold of a mate this evening who knows how to undo a caliper and see if, between you, you can get some movement in the caliper piston and/or the sliders, depending which bit is causing the problem. It's about half an hour's work. At least then you'll know how bad it is and can make a better assessment of risk.

Sorry I'm too far away to help you in person!

Edinburgh101 · Oct 19th, 2018, 20:10

Hi Tommy, thanks a lot for your advice. I am have jacked up the the car and the wheel does turn but definitely not freely. I can see that the disk is looking very rough/pinkish but I really dont know what I am looking at. The car has been driving normally so I am not sure how long this has been the case for. My main concern is what happens when it overheats, is the worst case scenario that I just ruin that one disk and caliper or could it start a fire if it get's really hot?

Thanks for your help. I think I will get someone to look at it in the morning.

tommyweaves · Oct 19th, 2018, 20:22

The roughness will be from the brake pads not pushing on disc (because caliper is not moving) and the disc is getting rusty. If you can turn the wheel then they're not stuck on hard.

Worst case scenario IS a fire! However I think that's an extreme case. If you see smoke then you've got a problem.

Most likely worst outcome is you wear out your pads and overheat your disc which could lead to warping. Also you could boil your brake fluid in the caliper leading to even worse performance on a brake that's already not working at all well.

My honest guess is that it'll continue getting hot, but not catastrophically.

If you really MUST go on your trip then go gently, leave decent braking distances, brake gently and use engine braking as much as possible. Take a route that has least stopping requirements, i.e. motorways or at least A roads.

tommyweaves · Oct 19th, 2018, 20:25

Incidentally, if that disc is "b*ggered" then you need new discs and pads on both rear wheels! Never replace brake pads or shoes on just one side.

tommyweaves · Oct 19th, 2018, 20:39

FWIW

If you like your car and intend keeping it for a few years then I'd replace both rear calipers, discs and pads, as well as new handbrake shoes and levers/springs. If one side is tired then the other side will follow before too long. On a V70 if the handbrake shoes delaminate it can trash your whole hub, which then becomes a much more costly issue! I expect an S60 to be the same.

Refurb calipers are not expensive and decent brand matching discs and pads (e.g. Mintex) are reasonably priced. It's cheaper in labour to have it all done in one go: To replace the discs you have to have the caliper and carrier off anyway, and if you have the discs off you can replace the handbrake parts at the same time. I'm an amateur and could probably do one side in half an hour, so a competent garage would be an hour's labour. Source the parts yourself!

Edinburgh101 · Oct 19th, 2018, 20:59

Hi Tommy, thanks again for your response. I am either going to have someone else check it out in the morning or try and get the use of another car for my trip. Really appreciate your help.

Oct 19th, 2018, 18:41	#1
Edinburgh101 Junior Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2019 09:26 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Edinburgh	2005 S60 D5 94k miles - Hot rear drivers side whee Hello, I was hoping for some urgent advice. I noticed this morning that my my rear drivers side wheel was radiating heat and a smell of brakes. This was after a short 5 minute trip and to my shame I then realised that my handbrake was not completely off. I released the handbrake fully and thought that was the end of it but i noticed this evening that the wheel was very hot (after a 30 minute drive). I have no mechanical knowledge and I am due to drive up to a remote area of Scotland tomorrow morning (5 hours drive). Can someone please help me and tell me what i should do, is it safe, is the worst case scenario just damage to the disk? Sorry for my ignorance. Thanks a lot. Gordon

Oct 19th, 2018, 19:04	#2
tommyweaves Premier Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 19:55 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sleaford	Sounds like a sticking caliper.

Oct 19th, 2018, 19:33	#3
Edinburgh101 Junior Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2019 09:26 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Edinburgh	Hi Tommy, thanks for your response. If that is the case is there any point in me taking the wheel off or would I need mechanical knowledge? What would happen if I were to continue driving? Thanks

Oct 19th, 2018, 19:42	#4
tommyweaves Premier Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 19:55 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sleaford	Little you can do if you don't really know what you're looking at; however: Chock the front wheels, on a level surface of course, and then jack up the rear. With the handbrake off, see if you can turn the offending wheel by hand. If the wheel turns then the caliper is not sticking. I suspect however that you'll find it hard to turn if not downright difficult. If the caliper is sticking then it's your risk as to whether you drive it or not. People probably drive for months with a sticking caliper and don't even know it, but it's not recommended!

Oct 19th, 2018, 19:50	#5
tommyweaves Premier Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 19:55 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sleaford	If you're going up into remote areas I imagine it will be hilly, and therefore you really need your brakes working properly. As a minimum (assuming it IS a sticking caliper) then I'd try and get hold of a mate this evening who knows how to undo a caliper and see if, between you, you can get some movement in the caliper piston and/or the sliders, depending which bit is causing the problem. It's about half an hour's work. At least then you'll know how bad it is and can make a better assessment of risk. Sorry I'm too far away to help you in person!

Oct 19th, 2018, 20:10	#6
Edinburgh101 Junior Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2019 09:26 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Edinburgh	Hi Tommy, thanks a lot for your advice. I am have jacked up the the car and the wheel does turn but definitely not freely. I can see that the disk is looking very rough/pinkish but I really dont know what I am looking at. The car has been driving normally so I am not sure how long this has been the case for. My main concern is what happens when it overheats, is the worst case scenario that I just ruin that one disk and caliper or could it start a fire if it get's really hot? Thanks for your help. I think I will get someone to look at it in the morning.

Oct 19th, 2018, 20:22	#7
tommyweaves Premier Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 19:55 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sleaford	The roughness will be from the brake pads not pushing on disc (because caliper is not moving) and the disc is getting rusty. If you can turn the wheel then they're not stuck on hard. Worst case scenario IS a fire! However I think that's an extreme case. If you see smoke then you've got a problem. Most likely worst outcome is you wear out your pads and overheat your disc which could lead to warping. Also you could boil your brake fluid in the caliper leading to even worse performance on a brake that's already not working at all well. My honest guess is that it'll continue getting hot, but not catastrophically. If you really MUST go on your trip then go gently, leave decent braking distances, brake gently and use engine braking as much as possible. Take a route that has least stopping requirements, i.e. motorways or at least A roads.

Oct 19th, 2018, 20:25	#8
tommyweaves Premier Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 19:55 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sleaford	Incidentally, if that disc is "b*ggered" then you need new discs and pads on both rear wheels! Never replace brake pads or shoes on just one side.

Oct 19th, 2018, 20:39	#9
tommyweaves Premier Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 19:55 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sleaford	FWIW If you like your car and intend keeping it for a few years then I'd replace both rear calipers, discs and pads, as well as new handbrake shoes and levers/springs. If one side is tired then the other side will follow before too long. On a V70 if the handbrake shoes delaminate it can trash your whole hub, which then becomes a much more costly issue! I expect an S60 to be the same. Refurb calipers are not expensive and decent brand matching discs and pads (e.g. Mintex) are reasonably priced. It's cheaper in labour to have it all done in one go: To replace the discs you have to have the caliper and carrier off anyway, and if you have the discs off you can replace the handbrake parts at the same time. I'm an amateur and could probably do one side in half an hour, so a competent garage would be an hour's labour. Source the parts yourself!

Oct 19th, 2018, 20:59	#10
Edinburgh101 Junior Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2019 09:26 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Edinburgh	Hi Tommy, thanks again for your response. I am either going to have someone else check it out in the morning or try and get the use of another car for my trip. Really appreciate your help.

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