Dragging right rear brakes
 

Today, I got out of work in the morning (I work nightshift) and got into my car to go home. I turned it on, waited for it to warm up then took off. I instantly felt my right rear side dragging. I put the handbrake down and up about 10 times and it did nothing. I floored it to free it thinking it’s frozen due to the fact that it’s cold outside. It was still seized. I pulled into a parking lot and looked at the rotor. It smelled like a hot rotor. I took a wrench and started hitting the caliber and that seemed to do the trick. It was rolling freely. But as I was making any 90 degree turn into a street, the brake light would come on for half a second then go off. The hand brake does feel stiffer than usual. I don’t want to start replacing parts without knowing exactly what the problem is. Right now it rolls fine even if the road is slightly inclined. But I don’t want this to be an issue down the road. The car just hit 99K kilometres. It does need new brake fluid which i plan on doing very soon (I did check the level of the fluid and it was fine) I also used a brake fluid tester and it displayed that the fluid was still ok. Please help


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I would inspect the parking brake cables

I would also leave it as long as it doesn't start on fire until it's warmer out. But that's just me.

Caliper slider pins are probably due for a clean and regrease at that mileage.

First figure out which brake is hanging. Start out cold and drive a very short distance, maybe fifty or a hundred meters. Stop and feel the rotor. Be careful! (obviously) Is the drum part hot, or is it the outer part?


Both @soundman98 and @strat61caster have valid points. Just have to figure out which is the culprit.

I almost know for a fact that it’s the right side because it was smelling hot on that side. And it felt like it was dragging on that side. It’s fine right now I drove it and it was ok. From what I can tell. I don’t think it’s the caliper. I think it has something to do with the handbrake. So the shoes might be the culprit. Although, your idea is great. To see which side is the hottest. Also. I stopped using my handbrake and just leave it in first gear when parked.

The only thing I’m really concerned about is the brake light coming on when cornering hard.


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Oh, I'd suggest you take it into one of those shops that has free brake inspections, if they have those up there. Explain what the car did, then kick back in the waiting room and have a cup of coffee and read a car magazine.

Whatever they come up with, ask them to show you on the car.

Then decide - ;)


humfrz

The e-brake on these cars is a drum inside the rear rotors, so if you can feel the caliper is sticking then it's not the e-brake.


I'd second the suggestion for a free inspection unless you want to pull it all apart in the winter.


What brake light was coming on when you made turns?

We don’t have that free inspection thing here. At least I don’t think we do. I’m going to disassemble the brakes and see if my caliper pins stick.

The handbrake light comes on when I turn sharply. My brake fluid reservoir is full so I know it’s not my fluid


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Did you check you brake fluid level? The brake light comes on when you corner hard if the brake fluid level is near the min. Eventually the light will stay on permanently if you keep wearing the pads down and dropping the level of the fluid.

^^ I think that's a different light, not the e-brake light?


Is the e-brake moving around, or is there any noise coming from that area? That light is triggered by a switch on the e-brake handle, so if it's coming on I'd check that area to see if there's anything loose, broken, etc.

Ya might want to look around. For example:

http://www.mastergarage.ca/services/


humfrz

I also wondered about this on Saturday. Perhaps OP is mistaking the skid warning for the brake warning.

@allowe, is the light yellow, or red? Perhaps this is not your brakes but rather an issue with VSC.

Hey sorry for the late reply and no it’s it’s the brake light for sure. The (!) red one when you have your handbrake up


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Yes the brake fluid level is slightly under max (very slightly)


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