What was the problem with my front brakes?
What was the problem with my front brakes?
UPDATE (4/28/2014) So after the 4/9/2014 update where I thought the problem had stopped, it started happening again and the brakes would be locked up when trying to back the car up. There wasn’t anything wrong with the front wheel after all. The problem was in the rear passenger side drum brakes. James’ answer (below) was exactly right.
What causes a car to pull to one side when braking?
2. Car Pulls to One Side When Braking A car that pulls to one side can be annoying and also dangerous. This braking problem can be caused by several different things, even the tires (see below), but the most common cause is a frozen caliper. Over time, a caliper can freeze up gradually, a process that can go unnoticed for a long period of time.
How are brake pads worn on a car?
When I changed my front brake pads I noticed the driver side was considerably more worn down then the passenger side. Both were fairly worn but there was almost twice as much material left on the passenger side then the driver side. Should i be concerned?
When to use handbrake or front brake caliper?
The handbrake prevents the car from rolling when the car is at a complete halt. In extreme circumstances, the driver can use the handbrake to stop the car when the brakes fail. The front brakes often play a greater role in bringing the car to a halt than the rear ones. This does not mean you should replace one and ignore the other.
UPDATE (4/28/2014) So after the 4/9/2014 update where I thought the problem had stopped, it started happening again and the brakes would be locked up when trying to back the car up. There wasn’t anything wrong with the front wheel after all. The problem was in the rear passenger side drum brakes. James’ answer (below) was exactly right.
Where does the brake lock up on a car?
Brake and wheel were blistering hot. Front driver side was hotter than front passenger side. Note that brake master cylinder and reservoir are closest to the front driver side. When the wheel/brake lock up, the brake pedal is stuck at the up position. Pressing with all my might wont make the brake pedal go down.
What causes brake pads to wear unevenly from left to right?
Here’s my reasoning: Just think of it. Pressure on pads cause pad wear. To get even pressure you have to have the brake fluid flow to the calipers at same rate. So, even if that flow rate is fine, the problems could be faulty pads, warped rotors, bad calipers…
What should I do about intermittent brake locking dragging?
New rubber brake hoses in both front brakes. New wheel cylinders in both back brakes. New caliper with piston assembly in front driver side. Passenger side is fine. New wheel bearing in front driver side (there was visible smoke from front driver wheel when it first happened). Other bearings are fine.
