Freezing brake pads: what to do?
Content
In cold weather, motorists face many problems, one of which is the freezing of brake pads to the disc or drum. Most often, such a nuisance occurs in cases where the car is left on the “handbrake” after a trip. At the same time, the snow that gets into the brake mechanisms melts, a layer of water forms between the pads and the drum, which quickly turns into ice.
You can defrost the brakes and restore the vehicle's performance in the following ways:
Trying to move smoothly
This method should be used with extreme caution after the vehicle has completely warmed up. Start-off is performed with minimal throttling, trying not to rip the pads from their place, but to achieve cracking of the ice crust. If it was not possible to break the ice after 1-2 attempts, it is better to resort to using other methods of defrosting.
The main mistake when performing manipulation is excessively pressing the gas pedal. At the same time, the pads often do not tear off the braking surface, but tear them off the landing pads. The result of such an incident is the replacement of pads and repair of the brake mechanism.
Defrosting with hot water
In this case, heated water is poured over the central part of the wheel disk or directly on the brake drum. The evidence of the effectiveness of this method is the characteristic click with which the pads move away from the braking surface.
One of the most common mistakes when performing this manipulation is a long idle time of the car after freezing the pads. During this time, the water that gets inside the drum has time to freeze, forming an even stronger ice layer. There is also a small risk of drum cracking due to sudden temperature changes. However, this happens very rarely.
Blowing with a hairdryer
This method is one of the least dangerous. Warming up occurs smoothly, which eliminates the risk of cracking drums. This also leads to inconveniences. The defrosting procedure with a hairdryer takes a lot of time. In addition, the operation of an electrical appliance requires an extension cord that can reach from the nearest outlet to the car.
Instead of a hair dryer, you can use a blowtorch - a high-temperature gasoline burner. Its use is associated with the risk of fire, as well as the risk of overheating of the brake mechanisms. Therefore, it is better to warm up from a distance of 0.5-1 meters (depending on the intensity of the flame).
Heating with exhaust gases
To implement this method, a long hose is required, which is put on the exhaust pipe at one end, and at the other end is brought to the frozen wheel and left for some time. Warm exhaust gases warm up the brake mechanism and the pads return to their original position.
Warming up the brakes with exhaust gases is only allowed outdoors. Otherwise, people in the vicinity run the risk of severe poisoning by the products of fuel combustion. It is impossible to use the considered method indoors, even with personal protective equipment.
Using alcohol-based liquids
To melt ice with alcohol liquids, pour them directly into the brake mechanism. The method requires removing the wheel, but even after that it is not always possible to implement. On VAZ vehicles, alcohol can be poured into the drum through the holes for the guide bushings.
The method is practically safe, if you do not take into account the risk of the car falling from the jack. However, its implementation is time-consuming and its efficiency is poor. That is why, in practice, freezing the brake mechanism with alcohol has not become widespread.
Hammering
This method of restoring the performance of the brake system allows you to successfully operate when the freezing is not too strong. In this case, tapping is performed in a circle, with medium-strength blows.
At the initial stage of the procedure, it is not necessary to remove the wheel. Dismantling the rim and directly tapping the drum is carried out only if the first attempt to achieve ice cracking has not been successful.
Video: what to do if the pads on the handbrake are frozen
Questions and answers:
What to do if the pads are frozen in winter? Some people use boiling water, but in this case, the elements of the brake system freeze more. It is better to use a hairdryer or, if the blockage is weak, start moving so that the pads are heated and thawed.
How to understand that the pads are frozen? In this case, the car will stall at the start, because the wheels are not just rested, but completely blocked. When the parking brake freezes, the rear of the car rises slightly with an easy start.
Why do pads freeze in a car? Moisture is the key reason. On a thawed road from under the wheels, water will surely get onto the calipers, and in some cases, into the drums (deep puddle).
