Date: Wed, 07 Jan 2004 18:45:54 GMT From: "Dave" <dspearREMOVE99canopsamo.com> Subject: Re: 1984 900S -- brake caliper seized in cold weather
Don't set the parking brake when it's going to be cold and the car will sit for any extended period. The piston can/will freeze in whatever position it happens to be in. If it is retracted, the hydraulic force applied with the brake pedal will easily break it free, but if the brake is applied there is no such force which may be exerted to retract it as the whole braking system is designed only to exert force in one direction. The spring in the brake pedal is the only thing pulling brake fluid back from the caliper to the reservoir, thus retracting the piston. dave "jw" <john.s.websternopsamzon.net> wrote in message news:BC21B371.4703C%john.s.websternopsamzon.net... > I recently bought a 1984 900S to replace my old 1984 900S, which met an > unceremoniously early demise when I was broad-sided by someone who ran a > stop sign (the car was unfortunately totaled). > > This morning, the front right brake caliper was temporarily seized up. The > car moved, but it didn't roll very well. I drove a few blocks hoping it > would release once it warmed up. When I pulled over, the caliper was > smoking. I started the car up again, and pumped the brakes and engaged and > disengaged the parking brake a few times, and the caliper released. > > We've had the coldest weather of this year in Rhode Island (teens F at > night, forecast to be in single digits F the next few nights). My old 1984 > 900 S never had this problem, but this is the coldest it's been since buying > the current car. > > Any ideas why this might have happened? Or suggestions for how to avoid > happening again? > > As always, any information much appreciated! > > Thanks, > > -jw > -- > 1984 900 S > 198K miles > Rhode Island, USA >