Wheels seizing?!

[Eddie]

2013 Automatic Sport-Tech BRZ

I travel a lot and the car sits outside for 10 days at a time. I get the following problem if there has been rain/snow while I've been away:

When I put the car in reverse, and take my foot off the brake, the car doesn't initially move. It takes a half second and it feels as if something gets unstuck, with a jarring sensation. While initially driving away, it sounds like I hear grinding. After I've driven the car wherever and come back, the sound isn't there and doesn't happen again unless I leave it sit for some time.

Wondering if anyone else has encountered this... I don't want to just take it to the dealership and try and explain this problem (can't reproduce it after I've driven the car there). Seems like the ideal time for them to fleece a customer with additional repairs.

TIA

[8RZ]

It's the brake pad seizing to the rotor, happens to me after a heavy rain. Just drive it normal and after a few the oxidation will rub off eventually.

[gravitylover]

Yup nothing too unusual. Just drag the brakes for a few extra feet the first few stops and the oxidation will rub off and you're good to go.

[humfrz]

Yep, like said above ...... nothing to worry about.

You might consider just leaving your car in gear instead of setting the parking brake.

If you have to park on a steep incline, be sure to leave your front wheels turned toward the curb.


humfrz

[Mach V Dan]

Originally Posted by 8RZ

It's the brake pad seizing to the caliper, happens to me after a heavy rain.

The pads stick to the ROTOR, not the caliper.

Originally Posted by humfrz

You might consider just leaving your car in gear instead of setting the parking brake.

I would NOT recommend this, and in some places it's illegal. If your car should be hit (even a small tap) while it's parked, that parking pawl can break and your car would potentially roll away. The parking brake would prevent this.

--Dan
Mach V

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Mach V Dan

The pads stick to the ROTOR, not the caliper.


I would NOT recommend this, and in some places it's illegal. If your car should be hit (even a small tap) while it's parked, that parking pawl can break and your car would potentially roll away. The parking brake would prevent this.

--Dan
Mach V

Oh, well, at least I know what ol @8RZ meant .....

Oops, my bad, on suggesting to just leave the car in gear ...... I didn't realize the OP had an auto......

However, the car wouldn't roll too far if the wheels were turned into the curb.

Side thought for the OP, if you park on a steep incline, it's best to set the parking brake before you put the car into park. Why? Because it's possible that the drivetrain could rest so heavily against the transmission's park pawl, that you wouldn't be able to get it out of park (without busting something).


humfrz

[Eddie]

Thanks for the feedback. Glad to hear it isn't something completely unusual.

That said, how is it possible that the brakes are seizing to the rotor when I don't apply the parking brake (flat parking lot)? Does an automatic transmission apply the brakes when placed into P? Never heard of that before...

[yelsew]

Originally Posted by Eddie

Thanks for the feedback. Glad to hear it isn't something completely unusual.

That said, how is it possible that the brakes are seizing to the rotor when I don't apply the parking brake (flat parking lot)? Does an automatic transmission apply the brakes when placed into P? Never heard of that before...

This can happen to any car regardless of transmission. Even when you are not applying the brakes, the pads ride along the rotor without a significant clearance, so any surface rust that forms on the rotor can seize on the surface of the brake pad.

Also, on our cars, the parking brake is a separate mechanism from the brake calipers and rotors. the hand brake actuates a brake drum and shoe assembly behind the rear rotors, so it should not change the rotors seizing whether you engage it or not.

[jasonojordan]

The pads that are getting stuck is not the parking brake shoes. Its your regular brake pads. They rest close enough to the rotor that any amount of heat cycle it sees during the day/evening and rain makes it so it forms a bond with the rotor.