[eapen]

I changed all rotors and pads and parked the car for a few months. Now when I brake the rear passenger side brakes pulsates really bad. It's almost as if there is knot on the rotor that hits the pads. I took the wheels off and when the break is not applied the wheel turns like there is something that's not releasing the wheel to turn properly. It's very loud and feels like the wheel is damaged, but I cannot see anything. Any ideas? Do you think it's the brake calipers?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[KMani1]

Might be something from the parking brake, if not the calipper piston stuck somehow. How the hub turn when you take the calipper out?

 

[Plutoe]

How did you determine which brake was causing the problem??

 

[eapen]

More Info

I put the rear end completely on two jacks and with the wheels off put the car in drive. I noticed the right rear wheel didnt move as fast as the left and sputtered like the brake was activated. Again, when I had someone apply the brake it again didnt slow down as smootly as the left. So thats how I isolated the problem to the right rear wheel.

The right rear rotor also get much hotter than the other.

There rust on the rotors as it sat there for months. I am not sure how to get rid of it completely.

My next step is to take the caliper out and see if that makes a difference. Dont know why I didnt even think about it.

If its the parking brake, I will need to go back and look thru the forums to see how to take that apart. I am not sure if its too complicated for my abilities.

I will keep you posted...

 

[Musikmann]

If the rust is only on the rotor surface (where the pads come in contact) then simply driving it should take care of that.

 

[eapen]

I took the calipers out and it appears that there is some sort of build up on both rotors that I didnt see earlier. With the calipers off the wheel seems to be turning when in drive.

However, now I am trying replace the rotors. I got the small screw that holds the rotor in place and the parking brake is off. However for the life of me, it wouldnt come out. Its almost as if something with springs are grabbing on to it from inside.

This is happning to both sides. Is it the parking brake some how needs to be manually released inside the rotor?

I checked the DIY sticky on the forum and did not find anything that help with this problem.

I dont remember having this trouble before. Any ideas?

 

[Check Codes]

The parking brake has a star-type adjustment wheel, just as on the drum brakes of old (that's really what it is in miniature). If the rotor inner surface is worn enough, there may be a lip (just as would form on old brake drums) that is catching the parking brake shoes.

Thus, you have to turn the adjustment wheel to release some of the pressure on the shoes. As you do that the springs will pull them back in, and you'll be able to remove the rotor. Assuming, of course, that is what's holding them.

Good luck.

 

[eapen]

The parking brake has a star-type adjustment wheel, just as on the drum brakes of old (that's really what it is in miniature). If the rotor inner surface is worn enough, there may be a lip (just as would form on old brake drums) that is catching the parking brake shoes.

Thus, you have to turn the adjustment wheel to release some of the pressure on the shoes. As you do that the springs will pull them back in, and you'll be able to remove the rotor. Assuming, of course, that is what's holding them.

Good luck.

Where do I look frr this star type adjustment wheel? I am not finding anything that looks adjustable... The only thing that looks like I can manipulate is the center of the drum, but thats where the bearings and greese goes, right?

 

[renault12ts]

Sure? ^^

The adjuster for the parking brakes is accessed through the large hole in the face of the drum/disc (rotor). If you have never done this before it will be hard to explain, use a torch and starting at the top have a look to see what the star (looking at the side instead of front on) looks like.

Do a Google search, or look in the stickies to see if it is covered. When you have the shoes backed off the rotor will still be difficult to remove and will probably require hammering with a mallet. Do not use a steel hammer....that could be very injurious.

 

[Plutoe]

Also remember that the hole in the rotor should be placed at about 11 o'clock to access the adjusting nut from the FRONT not the rear.

Also oneside is adjusted by moving the nut up wards and the other side down wards---the trick is to find which side adjusts accordingly, however if you start off in one direction and you can't move the rotor you know you have gone in the wrong direction to loosen the PB pad.

However if you are able to rotate the rotor----why do you think there is a problem with the parking brakes??


And what ever means a flash light is a torch----don't use a real torch on your rotors

 

[renault12ts]

Also remember that the hole in the rotor should be placed at about 11 o'clock to access the adjusting nut from the FRONT not the rear.

Also oneside is adjusted by moving the nut up wards and the other side down wards---the trick is to find which side adjusts accordingly, however if you start off in one direction and you can't move the rotor you know you have gone in the wrong direction to loosen the PB pad.

However if you are able to rotate the rotor----why do you think there is a problem with the parking brakes??


And what ever means a flash light is a torch----don't use a real torch on your rotors

LOL Two countries divided by a common language...yes torch on this side of the pond is (apparently) flashlight on that side.

 

[kstreufert]

If the parking brake is holding the rotor on you should have a little side to side play. If the rotor is held fast to the hub it is more than likely rust that is holding it in place. In that case the rotor will more that likely need a solid smack with a sledge hammer from the inside to knock it loose. One note of warning. If you have to use a sledge to free your rotors you will have to replace them with new ones.

 

[Kobus]

And what ever means a flash light is a torch----don't use a real torch on your rotors

Now of course if he do use a torch long enough, the rotor will be easy to replace ... and will come with a new car attached to it.

 

[eapen]

Thank You

I finally have this problem resolved. Replaced both rotors in the rear and it brakes perfect. Thank you for all the wonderful help.