Brakes seem to be sticking-SRI CDTI

[Vaux-Man-G]

Guy's,

Was using my dad's SRI CDTI 150 (FL) today and noticed something very odd.

First of all the MPG had dropped to a 33.6 mpg, and then when I was driving, it just didnt seem to have the same kick about it as normal.

Anyway, further driving and when I was slowing down, I just seemed to notice that the car came to a gradual halt ever so quickly.

Then I investigated further and when approaching every junction, it didnt seem to roll to the end as it normally would (i.e. the traffic lights line). In fact when I let it coast in neutral it fell a good 25-30 metres short !!

Anyway, my thoughts on it are that the brakes are sticking as I tried it on a quiet road and when I took off slowly, I could almost feel the car stop itself in the same way that the brakes would normally stop you (the same throw forward feeling-but obviously at slow speed)-I think you get what I mean.

Then, when I eventually parked up I opened the door and I could smell something almost burning, it like the smell when a clutch is slipping. Anyway, I stuck my nose inside the back wheel and then the front wheel and smell seemed to be coming from the front!

Has anyone had this happen to them before?

What could be problems? Pad's, Calliper's, Disc's, Caliper Piston sticking?

All ideas and suggestions welcome.

Thanks in Advance!!



(this is also on the other section, thought I may get more response here-Thx)!

[mark_w]

drive it for a few miles, get it warmed up. then put the back of your hand on all 4 wheel centres, you'll see if something is binding that way. i would say the fronts would get a bit warmer than the rears anyway. but none should be mad hot, unless you've just been driving like Ari Vatanen of course.

[vectragsi3.2]

ive got to check my gsi when i pull off it feels like lthe handbrake is still on and makes a squeak like it is and my mpg seems to have gone down a tad

[scottyd]

im sure one of my rears does this aswell but they were ok when i replaced the pads a bit annoying though

[mark_w]

i think mine is wearing the back brakes quicker than the front, which, i'm sure i read on here once, is normal on some cars?
my back discs have a bit of a lip on them [37000 miles], and the back wheels are covered in brake dust when the fronts have very little. my rears always make a noise when first used after being parked overnight. they aren't binding though, i checked.

[the-wizard]

thats normal the rears do tend to wear firat and you do tend to get a little scraping from the disc'c its just surface rust from the damp atmosphere that forms, same as when you give it a wash they will rust up after a short while, common dont worry about it, im guna do my rears shortly 43k first pad change!! and the fronts will go a fair way yet.

[ANDY W]

Not had what you have got but since I have had new rear pads fitted I get a occasional squeek which is annoying, to cure it I either pull the handbrake up a little or put my foot on the brake