This is the strangest thing I've ever seen - no kidding - and I've been a professional mechanic "in the day" and tinkerer forever. But this is weird:

Took the Vert out for the initial spring voyage last evening. Went about 2 miles down the road, then pulled over to the side to talk to a neighbor buddy (who also happens to own two vettes). Sat there idling in Drive for about 10 minutes. Normally I would shut her down, or at least put in in Park, but it was sounding sooooo good ... rumpety-rump!

Said goodbye, started to pull away, and the car acted as though the brakes were on! I could hardly make it over to the shoulder again, and could see in the dirt that the front right tire was dragging. Tried to grab onto it and roll, it was locked up tight. My buddy gave me a ride home to get the jack and some tools, and when we returned (10 minutes) we walked up to the car and without touching it we noticed it "break loose" on it's own, moving back about an inch. The wheel was completely free, now. Drove it home without any problem.

I am looking for some explanations and/or similiar experiences fromyou folks. I haven't pulled it apart yet (I will today), but here's my theories:
1) caliper piston seals froze in bore. This is a little hard to believe as this car is kept in in absolutely superb condition, has Baer Track kit w/ EratriSpeeds.
2) master cylinder going South.
3) ??????

Anyone see this before?

:cheers: -Bill




[Modified by ELEVENS, 8:08 AM 4/12/2003]

 

:cheers:

I would suspect the brake hose.

I have had this happen on two camaro's. The inner wall of the hose tears loose and acts like a "flapper valve". Keeps pressure from relieving. It will ultimately.

Other thought is more complex, try the hoses.

:steering:

 

Really? Wow, never heard of that one. I have stainless steel braided over Teflon hoses, though. They probably should be replaced every couple years, anyway though.

 

Check and make sure you didn't break a caliper bolt. I had a similar experience on the right rear wheel. Caliper swung forward and dug into the wheel. :mad Wouldn't budge till after moving it around.

 

I had a similar problem with my '92. After driving a little while and using the brakes, the front brakes would start to "drag" like they weren't releasing all the way. As I kept driving, it would become more noticeable until I actually had to give it more gas to keep going. And of course it would not roll like it should have. Needless to say, the front wheels got too hot to touch. I'm surprised it didn't warp a rotor.

My problem turned out to be in the master cylinder. There are small valves that can become clogged with dirt, which may have happened if your car was sitting for a long period. I've heard it's possible to clean the master cylinder out to fix the problem, but my mechanic replaced the cylinder (or I think he did anyway). One thing you could do is try to get it to stick again and then crack the bleeder. With your foot off the brake pedal the master cylinder shouldn't be providing pressure. If the fluid in the line is under high pressure, that would seem to indicate a problem in the master, since it's not releasing pressure properly. If there's not much pressure in the line, that would indicate something hanging up/sticking at the caliper. Good luck!

 

If your caliper or bolts aren't corroded. ABS valve would likely be a cause.

 

I never considered that. Sounds plausable. Funny thing is.... it's been working fine (knock on fiberglass).

Thanks for the tip.
-Bill

 

From your post it sounds as though only the right front is/was locked up. If that's the case you probably have a sticking caliper or a hose problem. If you have SS hose I doubt that would be the problem. Calipers will stick if they sit for awhile.

I would jack up the front, hold the brake long enough for the right front to stick and then open the bleeder (as someone else suggested) to see if there is pressure. If not, I'd be pretty sure it's the caliper.

good luck!