Xantia frozen brake when left overnight

Post by **c.morewood** » 29 Dec 2010, 17:06

Recently my Xantia's front brakes have not released first thing in the morning as I'm moving off and I have to rev the engine to break the hold. Everything seems fine/normal after that until the next morning.
Has anyone experienced this before? What was the solution?
Thanks

spider · Post by **spider** » 29 Dec 2010, 17:59

I would guess the pads are just sticking in their carriages.

I'd be tempted to remove the pads, clean them up especially where they fit into the carriage and also clean out the carriages carefully, then a little bit of suitable (copper grease) anti-seize applied (to the edges of the pads where they sit in the carriage, not the friction material lol)

Rebuild and see if that helps. Costs nothing apart from a bit of time.

I should point out I've never worked on a Xantia, I am aware they have the handbrake operating on the front wheels though. I guess the same principle applies to rear disc where they do not have separate handbrake shoes (ie: an extra lever to mechanically 'push' the pads)

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 29 Dec 2010, 18:17

There is also a possibility that one or both of the cables have a cracked outer plastic cover, this will allow moisture in and the cable will freeze.

Gingerposer · Post by **Gingerposer** » 29 Dec 2010, 19:07

Could just be the pads freezing onto the discs due to the severe cold. Try just leaving the car in gear overnight instead of applying the brake.

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 29 Dec 2010, 19:31

HDI wrote:There is also a possibility that one or both of the cables have a cracked outer plastic cover, this will allow moisture in and the cable will freeze.

My votes also goes for this

Especially right side cable and check for cracks around the first loop.

Post by **c.morewood** » 30 Dec 2010, 17:48

Thanks for the advice guys.. just wondered if it was a common problem.. its not the freezing weather as this has hapened very occcasioally when the car is left when I'm away on holiday.
I'll give the pads and calipers a good clean on my next days off.
Thanks again
Happy new year

Post by **c.morewood** » 14 Jan 2011, 16:31

It was the LH brake cable starting to fray as it turns round the suspension strut.. but trying to find the correct LH cable was interesting.. even GSF didn't have one.. eventually got a long one (1.3m )from EBay.. on the basis that it can't be too short.

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 14 Jan 2011, 16:41

Thats very common, mainly caused by someone not pulling the cable away from the strut and disconnecting it from the caliper before a pad change, cable is then kinked and eventually frays or even breaks.