Wheels seizing up when car not used for a few days

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:59 am

I've started taking the train to work again, which means the car is only getting used once or twice per week. It can often sit in the driveway for about 4 - 5 days without getting used.

When I then go to use the car, the wheels (or brakes?) appear to have seized up a bit and there's an almighty *clunk* when the rust or whatever that has built up separates and the wheels start to turn again.

I always thought this was the handbrake seizing up (I've experienced it in other cars before), but I leave the handbrake completely off and just leave the car in gear.

Should I be concerned about this? What is it that's seizing up? Surely it can't be the brakes, as they're not on when the car's just sitting there?

Cheers,
D

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:00 am

TADTS

Baggy · Post by **Baggy** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:07 am

If you take it out for a good rag just before you park up (or just drive the last 1/2 mile with your foot on the brake) it will reduce this as the heat will get rid of any moisture in the pads.

They do all do it tho.......Best solution is to use it more...

Post by ed » Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:09 am

do you put the handbrake on before taking it off again, i used to do that and it caused the same problem, now i dont even touch it and its fine! cheers Ed

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:20 pm

ed wrote:do you put the handbrake on before taking it off again, i used to do that and it caused the same problem, now i dont even touch it and its fine! cheers Ed

Yeah, I do. Will try that!

Will also try getting rid of the moisture in the pads.

Would use it more, but thought I'd go back to getting the train for a few months to save mileage / not drive in sh!tty weather / get some more exercise / avoid rush hour numpties on the road!

Thanks for the tips guys.

alicrozier · Post by **alicrozier** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 12:55 pm

I think this is also caused by rain/moisture being wind blown at the disks. I have a full car cover which I put on the car and left for 2 weeks (while on holiday) and there was no binding and almost no corrosion on the disks (comparatively less than leaving it out overnight uncovered).

tut · Post by **tut** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:14 pm

Smack on Ed.

tut

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:25 pm

Mine does it as well, usually a lot worse in wet weather.

DDtB · Post by **DDtB** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:43 pm

tut wrote:Smack Ed.

tut

Will do !

Post by ed » Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:02 pm

thats how i read it the first time aswell!

David Bryce · Post by **David Bryce** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:15 pm

by coincidence I noticed, for the first time last night, exactly the same thing and thought WTF was that?

hmmm, so is this yet another 'feature' of the Elise then?

alicrozier · Post by **alicrozier** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:17 pm

Other cars do it too, but you don't notice it so much...

tuscan_thunder · Post by **tuscan_thunder** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:41 pm

a mate of mine swears by pouring warm/hot water over his brakes after the car's been sitting for a few days

r055 · Post by **r055** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 3:33 pm

a blob of grease applied directly onto each disc surface normally helps with the seizing up problem...
... it also helps with that well know problem of 'stopping' and can help combat the 'slowing down' syndrome.

However side effects such as broken cars, limbs and death normally outweigh the benefit.

Disclaimer: I will not accept liability for anyone stupid enough to try the above.

Post by **simon** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:43 pm

Before you park it, get some heat into the disks (left foot brake for a bit if you have to) and park with the handbrake left off. That used to work for me.