sticky brakes

[Ricky]

i noticed when i pulled out of by garage the other day that the brakes were sticking on. if i put my foot under the pedal and pull it away it releases the brakes, the shaft isnt sticky and theres no resistance when i pull the pedal off the brakes, any ideas? could this just be that the car has been sitting around for a while?

cheers

[Neil O]

This is a common problem, the solution is to wear smaller shoes.

[Ricky]

thanks neil.... anyone got any sensible ideas?

[Vidge]

Are you losing any fluid at all ? If not it sounds like either the caliper's pistons are gummed up with poo and are having difficulty slipping back or you've munted a spring in the master cylinder. Which is pretty unlikley but not unheard of.

I'd Jack the car up and have an assistant stand on the brakes, then release. Then try turning each hub by hand, if one caliper is sticking you'll spot it. If there all sticking it points to the master cylinder.

Smaller feet may be simpler.

[Neil O]

Originally Posted by Vidge

Are you losing any fluid at all ? If not it sounds like either the caliper's pistons are gummed up with poo and are having difficulty slipping back or you've munted a spring in the master cylinder. Which is pretty unlikley but not unheard of.

I'd Jack the car up and have an assistant stand on the brakes, then release. Then try turning each hub by hand, if one caliper is sticking you'll spot it. If there all sticking it points to the master cylinder.

Ricky, that was what I was going to post, but then I saw it was you......

[dingocooke]

Ricky, it sounds very much from your description and your remedy that the master cylinder is sticking; happens occasionally on a car thats laid up for a while.
Check that there's nothing making the pedal bind, then whip the master cyclinder off and check it over; you might end up resealing it but its not a difficult job for a boy of your talents.

Hope you get it sorted; how long until its in serious use??