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Binding brakes - common causes?

S

Sandspider

New member
Hi all.

Had my front brake discs and pads replaced about 1000 miles ago by my local indie, and all was fine. However, on the way back from Cornwall yesterday I opened my window to pay a bridge toll only to hear a horrible grating screeching sound from my side of the car.

So, got under the car this evening and pulled the wheels off, and the drivers side brake pad is gripping the disc all the time. (Slightly tighter at one side, but there's always some gripping happening). Is there any common cause of this that I might be able to sort myself before taking it back to the indie? (I didn't check the wheel on the passenger side to see if it was pressing too, was too knackered! But could only hear the noise coming from the driver side so I assume it's just the one side, so not a pedal travel or similar related problem that would affect both sides...)

Also, I need to drive 50 miles on Saturday, should I not be doing this with the brake pad rubbing? I kind of assume the answer is no, but at the same time I think it might have been rubbing all the way up from Cornwall (I've not had the windows open much due to it being winter) or even for longer, so will another 50 miles do any worse damage? I can still turn the wheel quite easily by hand when jacked up, so it's not really gripping hard, but some wearing must be taking place due to the noise.

Any thoughts, one and all?

Cheers,

Giles
 
First thing I'd do is check for stones caught in the brake dust shields, or maybe even lodged in the pad. Can you see any marks on the offending disc?
 
Hi Edh.

Thanks. But no, no marks on the disc, apart from a slight rust patch where the pad has been touching the disc. (I have been driving it a bit in the slush and road salt mixture recently - I wonder if this might have contributed?) In any case, I'm taking it back to my indie shortly, he managed to squeeze it in today. Hoping it is something simple like a stone somewhere it shouldn't be...

Cheers.
 
It's probably the old plate lift problem. Search the forums (all Porsche not just 944) for further details, it's well documented.

Basically the calipers are alloy but they have stainless steel plates that are the bearing surface for the pads to move in and out. The paint surface under the SS plates breaks down over the years due to road salt and the alloy starts to corrode and pushes the plates up which causes the pads to jam.

I had this on my S2 and refurbish the calipers myself. You will need to remove the calipers to do the job.
 
Thanks all.

Sod's law came into play, when I drove it this morning to the garage it didn't put a wheel wrong. Not a sound. But, on the way back, literally 100m from my drive, the noise came back again! (In less severe form). Oh well, at least it's not a permanent problem by the sound of it. Will try a good clean of the wheels first, then back to the indie for a brake pad clean if necessary perhaps...
 
You need to strip the callipers down and clean them up, remove the stainless plates, clean off the corrosion, re-paint the calliper body, then push all the pistons out (onto a block of wood, either with 100psi air or hydraulic pressure). Replace any corroded pistons /or clean up. Might be an idea to replace the seals while you are in there. Zeckhausen racing do them for Brembo callipers. Then put some copper grease between calliper body and stainless plate. Use A2 stainless domehead bolts M6 12mm long thread, I would also tap the thread in the calliper body and use a dab of Loctite on the bolt thread.

repeat every 2 years :)

Re-fit the callipers with new brake pads and if the disks are scored new disks. I really must do an on-line how-to guide one day with pictures on my web site!
cheers
John
 
The car is a Lux so not fitted with Brembo, brake caliper piston needs replaced,just done them on my Disco, same symptons,wheelcould turn but still binding,
PS. Everything was getting red hot due to slight bind, new piston sorted it.
 
Thanks chaps.

As mentioned, it's a Lux so plate lift can't be the problem. (I hope!)

Gave it a good wash today and it hasn't helped the noise, so I'll dismantle the front wheel tomorrow and take off the brake pads. Is there anything specific I should or shouldn't clean them with?

In fact, I'm not even sure that the problem is something caught in the brake pads. Brake force and distribution seems normal, and the disc isn't hotter than usual after driving, and there are no grooves or anything on the disc. But the noise isn't consistent, it comes and goes. Could it be the wheel bearing instead?

Arghh! Are the bearings hard to dismantle? I imagine yes!

Thanks again for all the help...
 
The front wheel bearing is one of the easier parts on the car to pull apart. It uses a simple pinch bolt, if you pop the cap off the hub you will see how easy it is. Clarks garage has a good write up.

 
Thanks James. I found the article and I'll give it a go. At least I can hopefully find out if it is the bearing or the brakes... At least it's nice and sunny outside! <Heads off to get back under the car again...>
 
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