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I have a 1998 Toyota Corolla 1,3L (EDM/JDM) that's developed an annoying and potentially expensive trait since I last used it (4 months ago, it's been driven regularly to prevent all the symptoms that comes when a car stands for too long).
The left front brake pad will stay/be slightly in contact with the brake disc (rotor), at worst it's possible to feel it decrease the car speed (though slowly) when coating, clutch engaged. Most times/at best, it'll make a hell of a lot of screeching sounds.
Obviously there's a lot of heat generated (I actually burnt my finger when touching the rotor for a split second), and I fear warping it.
A friend of mine suggested intensively washing the wheel and brakes, as he though dirt and ice (it's VERY cold at the moment, which affects nearly every feature of the damn thing, hehe) could be the reason it jams up. I did this, and it didn't make much sound after, nor can I really feel any abnormal retardation of speed when coasting, I have heard it squeak a couple of times though, and I haven't driven far.
Is there reason to think the washing took care of it, or would it just be the soap or chemical wash or even the water that hides the noise but doesn't alleviate the problem?
I did clean it very well, and left it in a heated garage (cleaning facility) for about 10-15 minutes after to let it dry/drip off some before driving and parking in the cold again.
Either way, any thoughts? If this hasn't taken care of it, what are the possible suspects? Could old brake fluid alone cause this, and only cause it on one side?
Thanks for any info.
PS. Neither the car nor me are currently in the US, so directly autoshop related tips etc. aren't useful for me, as well meant as they are.
It sound like you either have a warped rotor or a sticking caliper? Check both of them out. Rugged
Also to be considered is the LIABILITY when it comes to repairing brakes on a vehicle. NO shop wants a LAW SUIT.
NO respectable shop would ever consider replacing just one front or rear brake shoes or pads or just one wheel cyl etc. Braking functions on the front or rear operate in pairs.
Steve
From a shops POV ideally they would want to replace anything they could get their hands on. The more repairs, the more money they make. In a world where there was no concern of liability the shop would still use "safety" as a means of doing more work to the vehicle. Using fire and brimstone is not an acceptable way of taking people's money IMO.
While I agree that hoses, pads, rotors/drums should be changed in pairs I do NOT agree that calipers and wheel cylinders should undergo the same treatment. A caliper/cylinder is not considered a wear item and rarely will they malfunction if the fluid is properly flushed out. Besides... all this talk of REPLACING the calipers when they can easily be REBUILT DIY style.
From a shops POV ideally they would want to replace anything they could get their hands on. The more repairs, the more money they make. In a world where there was no concern of liability the shop would still use "safety" as a means of doing more work to the vehicle. Using fire and brimstone is not an acceptable way of taking people's money IMO.
While I agree that hoses, pads, rotors/drums should be changed in pairs I do NOT agree that calipers and wheel cylinders should undergo the same treatment. A caliper/cylinder is not considered a wear item and rarely will they malfunction if the fluid is properly flushed out. Besides... all this talk of REPLACING the calipers when they can easily be REBUILT DIY style.
A malfunctioning caliper is often no more than a leaking seal, or a "rust ring" around the inside of the caliper cylinder. $5.00 and a couple hours, and you essentially have rebuilt calipers.
The problem is that you need both the tools and the know-how to do the caliper work yourself. And the know-how part is complicated by the fact that not all calipers come apart in the same way.
I think what a lot of people - myself included - are inclined to do is simply replace the caliper, provided the rebuilt one isn't too expensive (a lot of them only run about $30-$35).
A malfunctioning caliper is often no more than a leaking seal, or a "rust ring" around the inside of the caliper cylinder. $5.00 and a couple hours, and you essentially have rebuilt calipers.
The problem is that you need both the tools and the know-how to do the caliper work yourself. And the know-how part is complicated by the fact that not all calipers come apart in the same way.
I think what a lot of people - myself included - are inclined to do is simply replace the caliper, provided the rebuilt one isn't too expensive (a lot of them only run about $30-$35).
That's pretty much what they shop is going to try first, together with a fluid change.
Thankfully, over here you occasionally come across some that are more interested in doing a good job and keeping your business than taking your money.
Well, cars back, and so far seems to be working pretty good.
They changed the brake fluid and picked apart and lubricated both calipers up front (they checked the right one too and found it was a little "sticky" too, so did that as well.
He did warn me that they couldn't guarantee it would work, but if it didn't and I needed new calipers, they would give me a very good price on the work, since they already tried this (pretty much bolt them on for free/next to nothing).
Seems to be working fine again though, so I'm happy. Total damage was about $350, which is very good, all things considered. (Norway remember ) They only charged half price for parts of the job.
Well, cars back, and so far seems to be working pretty good.
They changed the brake fluid and picked apart and lubricated both calipers up front (they checked the right one too and found it was a little "sticky" too, so did that as well.
He did warn me that they couldn't guarantee it would work, but if it didn't and I needed new calipers, they would give me a very good price on the work, since they already tried this (pretty much bolt them on for free/next to nothing).
Seems to be working fine again though, so I'm happy. Total damage was about $350, which is very good, all things considered. (Norway remember ) They only charged half price for parts of the job.
This is good to hear!
$350 is a heckuva lot of money for that - but as you said, it's Norway, so that price is only relevant to you.
They only charged me for 1,5 hours, instead of the 2 they usually charge for that job, so I'm not complaining. They gave me half price on the brake fluid too.
They only charged me for 1,5 hours, instead of the 2 they usually charge for that job, so I'm not complaining. They gave me half price on the brake fluid too.
Seems like you use a good shop. I'm also guessing they didn't rattle on for hours about how UNSAFE it is to rebuild brake components. They must be REAL mechanics not just monkeys with a fancy patch on their jacket.
Seems like you use a good shop. I'm also guessing they didn't rattle on for hours about how UNSAFE it is to rebuild brake components. They must be REAL mechanics not just monkeys with a fancy patch on their jacket.
Glad it worked out for ya.
Thanks, yeah they're good people, they gave me a discount on the already cheap rental too.
They just told me to check if the discs were warm after longer drives every now and then to make sure it worked.
They're def. real mechanics and not Replacement Jockies like some others, I recommend them to everyone, all the time.
Thanks for the good words and the help, I do feel smarter now, and more prepared to do more of it myself next time.
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) They only charged half price for parts of the job.
