Releasing rusted disc & pad after washing

[Bobby Dazzler]

Any suggestions on how to free a brake disc from the pad? I had the car washed last week but parked it rather than take it for a spin.

This morning the pads were all fixed rigidly to the disc. Three freed by driving forwards but the fourth (NSF) won’t release, and the tyre is dragging.

I’ve had it on a few cars over the years - especially after being parked outside in snow, but they usually release with a prod of the right foot.

I’ve tried moderately tapping a piece of word on the disc with a hammer but no joy. Reluctant to bang it with a hammer.

Any tips before I call Mobilo roadside assistance?

 

[Riva811]

Tried Wd40?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Tried Wd40?

I haven’t, I didn’t fancy trying that until it was a last resort, as the pads on this car will be pricey.

 

[tonysmb]

Have you tried 'rocking' it, ie a fraction forward, a fraction reverse, repeat a few times?

 

[ChrisPDuck]

A bit of heat maybe?

 

[SpikyMikey]

I haven’t, I didn’t fancy trying that until it was a last resort, as the pads on this car will be pricey.

Have you got a rubber mallet you can wack it with? Worked for me once on a vehicle that had been parked for ages. I just wacked the bejesus out of the centre of the wheel which was enough to free it up...although it was a steel wheel and not a stupidly-expensive MB alloy.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Have you got a rubber mallet you can wack it with? Worked for me once on a vehicle that had been parked for ages. I just wacked the bejesus out of the centre of the wheel which was enough to free it up...although it was a steel wheel and not a stupidly-expensive MB alloy.

I s bae a trip to B&Q tomorrow. I’ve never moved my tools to our new house, so I don’t have a huge amount. Come to think of it I don’t even have a rubber mallet there - it’s in our caravan 220 miles away! Definitely a trip to B&Q!

 

[rf065]

error

 

[DSM10000]

Tried Wd40?

On a friction surface??

 

[DSM10000]

I haven’t, I didn’t fancy trying that until it was a last resort, as the pads on this car will be pricey.

Jack up the car, place on axle stands, remove wheel and try to rotate it and offer gentle persuasion whilst spraying brake cleaner over the disc and caliper?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Put a kettle of boiling water over it ??

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Have you tried 'rocking' it, ie a fraction forward, a fraction reverse, repeat a few times?

Yes I’ve tried in Drive and Reverse, with many more revs than I’ve ever had to use before, but the wheel is dragging. Unfortunately the car is at 90 degrees to the drive and and there are brick piers a few car lengths away so risky giving too much right foot, even covering the brake pedal with my left foot.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Jack up the car, place on axle stands, remove wheel and try to rotate it and offer gentle persuasion whilst spraying brake cleaner over the disc and caliper?

Brake cleaner is an interesting thought. Unfortunately getting the wheel off would have to be a job for roadside assistance. I have put my back out the last few times I have remove a wheel.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Put a kettle of boiling water over it ??

Interesting suggestion, thank you

 

[KennyN]

Wheel off , punch and hammer in hand and a few gentle taps on the top of the pads should release them - failing that knock f**k out of the caliper with a Monday hammer.

K

 

[DSM10000]

Brake cleaner is an interesting thought. Unfortunately getting the wheel off would have to be a job for roadside assistance. I have put my back out the last few times I have remove a wheel.

Just raise the car and spray the brake cleaner?

 

[BTB 500]

Have to say that with an automatic parked on fairly level ground I never apply the parking brake, given the choice. Unfortunately newer cars do it automatically

I'm sure I remember reading that leaving the parking brake applied with the disks really hot (after a run) can potentially induce warping, where the area in contact with the pads cools much faster than the rest.

I suspect not an issue in BD's case though as carbon ceramic disks probably don't warp

Or maybe just an old wives' tale anyway!

 

[whitenemesis]

I'm sure I remember reading that leaving the parking brake applied with the disks really hot (after a run) can potentially induce warping, where the area in contact with the pads cools much faster than the rest.

Pretty sure it's the other way round? The area in contact with the pads will stay hotter longer. Discs very rarely warp...
The biggest issue would be pad material transfer, causing judder

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Will give a few suggestions a go in the morning, thank you all. Please do keep any further suggestions coming.

 

[chic0821]

Not that it helps in your situation, but in future, spray Atom Mac on the discs, stops corrosion. I use it when the S63 is tucked away for the winter