Front brakes sticking?

[shoogiesco]

Hi everyone,

I have a slight problem with the front brakes on my C5

every now and then while driving the steering wheel will start to shake a lot and car will become sluggish as if the brakes are stuck on. this usually only lasts for a few minutes then returns to normal. I cant seem to make it happen on demand to find out more info.

Last night after this happened I stopped and noticed the burning pads smell and excessive heat coming from drivers side brakes

any advice?

Sandy

[spider]

Would be worth (when the brakes are cool) to remove the pads and examine them (overheating damage) along with the pad carriage too, maybe its just a bad buildup of debris that is making them stick.

Need to whip them out for a look at least though.

Less likely is a collapsed flexihose, this seems rare whereby the pressure cannot get back due to internal blockage. Eventually it will let it back out though. Can be something to look at if you cannot see anything obviously amiss.

[Citroenmad]

I can almost guarantee that is will be the handbrake mech. inside the caliper which is sticking and causing the brake to bind on. I've had this on a C5, as have many other people, its quite a common problem.

You can free off the caliper by using lubricant inside the handbrake lever mechanism but I have found that to be a short term fix.

Mine almost set fire to the NSF brake when this happened, when I stopped I couldn't see for smoke. The discs and pads were only fit for the bin after that. As was the caliper.

To check for this, put the car on full steering lock to the side which has the stickng brake. Look for the handbrake cable which connects to a lever on top of the caliper, this small lever should be pulled to the front of the car by an internal and external spring. When the inside becomes corroded this lever sticks and no longer returns to the off position. Move this lever to the front of the car, if it moves its stuck on (with the handbrake off ...). You might need to use force, I used pliers or even a precision instrument (big hammer) to move mine. I had to keep using the car so I pulled the lever as far forward as possible and didn’t use the handbrake again until the new caliper and brake pads & discs were fitted.

[spider]

I had forgotten some of these were front parking brake. I'm aware the Xantia (and XM I'd guess as that's footwell mounted, US style) is but that's about it.

[Citroenmad]

I had forgotten some of these were front parking brake. I'm aware the Xantia (and XM I'd guess as that's footwell mounted, US style) is but that's about it.

Yep, C5, BX, Xm, Xantia. The new C5 is rear though, its too conventional

[shoogiesco]

Hi thanks for all the replies.

I had read all the posts about the handbrake sticking and it has never happened after using handbrake but only while driving. I will have a look at the callipers and hoses tomorrow if it stays dry

PS anyone know of a citroen friendly garage in Ayrshire?

[Citroenmad]

It often is binding and as the car is doing speed the brakes heat up and expand slightly, making the binding worse. Mine came on at motorway speeds

[waynedance]

This happened to me tried to free off the mechanism on the calliper but ended up with a new one.

[shoogiesco]

I have only had this car for two months but looked in the history and there is a receipt for new handbrake cables being fitted in May this year. Does this mean its more likely to be the calliper then?

[waynedance]

I guess so, remove the wheel and try to unhook the cable from the caliper and see how freely the arm moves. There should be approx 5mm gap between the cable and arm when handbrake is off if that makes sense.

[Citroenmad]

Often the cables are changed as it is believed they are to blame for the sticking brake.

[myglaren]

Often the cables are changed as it is believed they are to blame for the sticking brake.

I did that. Didn't help but cost plenty, still had to have a new calliper

[shoogiesco]

Just a wee update. finally got around to checking the brake. It looks to me like its the calliper sticking. Im going to order new disks and pads as the pads on the sticking calliper are looking poor. and just gonna change disks as well coz if pads been sticking then it might have damaged disk.

I only have 1 question, where the handbrake cable is attached to the calliper. not too sure how I detach it, the curved part is bent sideways? ( making any sense?) is this ok? any tips on how to get it off?

Sandy

[oneday]

save yourself some money and change the caliper at the same time or its more than likely you will ruin another disc and set of pads

[shoogiesco]

sorry meant to add at the start.

anybody have any thoughts on trying to clean up piston on the caliper first or even one of these refurb kits?