Brakes

**T4M** · 10th July 2008, 22:11

Got a couple of questions on brakes.....

First one is for someone i work with. She has a 1.6 Astra that hasn't been used for a week. She put the car in reverse and released the handbrake but the car wouldn't move. It looks like the passenger side rear wheel has jammed as it just drags along the road.......

Secondly, my 4 discs and pads were replaced last weekend and have started to squeak. I know this is normal but how can i stop it? There is coppergrease on the calipers as i can see it through the gap in the wheels

**gsxrster** · 10th July 2008, 22:14

both will release with use ,
hers might need new rears but yours will be fine wi a run

**plasma** · 10th July 2008, 22:16

For the astra the best bet would be to have the wheel off and see if you can free the caliper up.. the way i would personally do this is to wind it back in with the appropriate tool (handbrake release when your doing this i believe)and then refit the pads and then activate the handbrake a few times, this will have the action of moving the caliper back up to make contact with the pad... Should be hopefully nice and free by then...

And as for yours i'd double check where they have copper slipped it, make sure they aint cheapo pads on there and also the caliper is retracting after u finish braking as it could be dragging slightly and causing the squeal (does it squeal all the time or just unde braking?)

**Gsi3.2** · 10th July 2008, 22:17

the 'cure' for hers is to remove the wheel and GENTLY tap the drum till it shocks the stuck handbrake arm off, releasing the drum.. when it turns by hand you can put the wheel back on..

yours depends on what pads were used.. if they are not VX parts then they may well squeal.. when they coppergreased them, did they do the backs and the ears of the pads, or just one of them?..

**Gsi3.2** · 10th July 2008, 22:18

Originally Posted by plasma

For the astra the best bet would be to have the wheel off and see if you can free the caliper up.. the way i would personally do this is to wind it back in with the appropriate tool (handbrake release when your doing this i believe)and then refit the pads and then activate the handbrake a few times, this will have the action of moving the caliper back up to make contact with the pad... Should be hopefully nice and free by then...

unless it's a late astra it'll be on drums on a 1600cc...and yes, any attempts to free it off need to be done with the handbrake off..

**plasma** · 10th July 2008, 22:19

u reckon its the arm then? thinking about it i could see how it can be the arm seizing in position and holding it against the drum....

oh astra... hit the rear brakes with a damn good sledgehammer should be fine

jk

**Gsi3.2** · 10th July 2008, 22:20

they normally seize on the rivet that holds the arm on the trailing shoe if it's on drums....

**Rebellion** · 10th July 2008, 22:21

We're guessing here as to whether the Astra has disks or drums at the back....details and also what vintage it is would be useful. When old Vauxhall's have a sticking handbrake, it always seems to be the nearside...maybe because the handbrake cable travels back to the axle and from there heads to the offside wheel, leaving the nearside to make do with an extension cable that attaches to the longer piece.

**T4M** · 10th July 2008, 22:24

It's the new shape Astra which has drums. I tried taking the wheel off but it wouldn't budge. The car looked like it does when you try to reverse with the handbrake still on.

As for my pads - they aren't Vauxhall ones and have only started to squeal tonight, and it only happens sometimes when i'm braking

**Gsi3.2** · 10th July 2008, 22:30

Drums is 'hammertime' then, but GENTLY Tam..

... taps rather than blows..

i think they may have not put enough copperslip on Tam, or failed to clean the pad rests enough to let them back off freely...mind you, non VX pads are prone to squeal..