Brake seizure

Patrick Garland · May 11th, 2020, 20:04

My J reg 240SE failed it's MOT two years ago with some major rust on various structural bits underneath. It's been sat waiting for me to make a decision on it's fate. The mice have completely chewed all the rubber on the ignition leads. However, despite the lack of insulation on the leads, when I charged the battery up it fired up first time. The engine sounds fine apart from the water pump, which is squealing.
I know it's probably folly but I can't bring myself to scrap it and want to take it to a garage, when lockdown ends, to see about getting it welded up and back on the road.
Unfortunately the brakes have seized on even though I hadn't left the handbrake on. Could anybody give me some pointers on how to free up the brakes and get them functional again.
Thanks in advance.

heckflosse · May 12th, 2020, 07:31

Have all four stuck on? Take a wheel off in turn, try and push the brake pads back with a lever bar. Sometimes you can undo the caliper bolts and wiggle the caliper free to get a tyre lever in between the pads. Dont disturb the hydraulics though.
As for the hand brake, sometimes a whack on the bit of the disc where the wheel sits can shock the shoes loose. Otherwise its a case of slacken the cable adjuster and try to get the rear discs off for a clean up inside.
With patience it is possible to free it all off (usually).
Hope this helps.

Bugjam1999 · May 13th, 2020, 17:52

As above, taking the wheels off in turn and levering the pads back a bit will probably work. I’d recommend knocking the caliper sliding pins out, cleaning them up and replacing- the pads need to slide backwards and forwards on the pins and if they don’t the brakes will jam on slightly, leading to overheated and warped discs.

If you decide to keep the car it’d probably be worth another look at the brakes once the car is on the road- clean out all the calipers, check all the pistons are moving freely, replace the caliper sliding pins, renew the brake fluid etc.

Cheers

Patrick Garland · May 14th, 2020, 23:20

Good tips. I will have a go in the next few days and see if it works. Thanks for the advice.

May 11th, 2020, 20:04	#1
Patrick Garland Patrick Last Online: Sep 30th, 2022 00:07 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Clarbeston Road	Brake seizure My J reg 240SE failed it's MOT two years ago with some major rust on various structural bits underneath. It's been sat waiting for me to make a decision on it's fate. The mice have completely chewed all the rubber on the ignition leads. However, despite the lack of insulation on the leads, when I charged the battery up it fired up first time. The engine sounds fine apart from the water pump, which is squealing. I know it's probably folly but I can't bring myself to scrap it and want to take it to a garage, when lockdown ends, to see about getting it welded up and back on the road. Unfortunately the brakes have seized on even though I hadn't left the handbrake on. Could anybody give me some pointers on how to free up the brakes and get them functional again. Thanks in advance.

May 12th, 2020, 07:31	#2
heckflosse Premier Member Last Online: Oct 28th, 2023 12:30 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: dereham	Have all four stuck on? Take a wheel off in turn, try and push the brake pads back with a lever bar. Sometimes you can undo the caliper bolts and wiggle the caliper free to get a tyre lever in between the pads. Dont disturb the hydraulics though. As for the hand brake, sometimes a whack on the bit of the disc where the wheel sits can shock the shoes loose. Otherwise its a case of slacken the cable adjuster and try to get the rear discs off for a clean up inside. With patience it is possible to free it all off (usually). Hope this helps.

May 13th, 2020, 17:52	#3
Bugjam1999 Master Member Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2024 07:47 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: London and Cambridge	As above, taking the wheels off in turn and levering the pads back a bit will probably work. I’d recommend knocking the caliper sliding pins out, cleaning them up and replacing- the pads need to slide backwards and forwards on the pins and if they don’t the brakes will jam on slightly, leading to overheated and warped discs. If you decide to keep the car it’d probably be worth another look at the brakes once the car is on the road- clean out all the calipers, check all the pistons are moving freely, replace the caliper sliding pins, renew the brake fluid etc. Cheers

May 14th, 2020, 23:20	#4
Patrick Garland Patrick Last Online: Sep 30th, 2022 00:07 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Clarbeston Road	Good tips. I will have a go in the next few days and see if it works. Thanks for the advice.

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