A8 problem?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 24
Likes: 5
A8 problem?
This morning I went to take my baby for a cruise an experienced a very weird occurrence. I have a 2016 Z51 that has right at 2000 miles. The car has been safely ensconced in my garage for 6 days and hasn't moved. Today I got in it and after a couple of minutes of idling I put it in gear and it wouldn't move, normally it will ease away but today it acted like it was bolted to the floor. I gave it a little gas and it made a loud clunk and then eased out of the garage. I put it in park again and back to drive and everything acted normal. I drove it around town for about an hour with multiple stops and with about 15 miles of highway driving and never had any other issues. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this after a vehicle has been sitting for a few days? Thanks for the replies!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,106
Any chance you had washed it or driven in the rain before you parked? Sounds like a pad stuck to the caliper and the clunk you heard was the pad breaking loose. This can also happen with the rapid temperature fluctuations this time of year causing condensation on the rotors as the air heats up more rapidly than the metal mass causing moisture to form.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,732
Likes: 34
From: Monument CO
Any chance you had washed it or driven in the rain before you parked? Sounds like a pad stuck to the caliper and the clunk you heard was the pad breaking loose. This can also happen with the rapid temperature fluctuations this time of year causing condensation on the rotors as the air heats up more rapidly than the metal mass causing moisture to form.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,106
And I should have said pad stuck to the rotor 
It has been a LONG day.
As Rick T noted this situation happens with many cars, not just the Corvette however the extra large braking system on the Corvette makes the issue more dramatic. I have never had a pad stick to the rotor in my Corvette but it did happen once with my GMC 2500HD pickup which also has very large disc brakes since it has a 9,200 pound GVWR which requires serious brakes. I was taking my German Shepherd in for her annual checkup and the bang from both rear brakes in the pickup coming free upset my normally pretty calm dog.
It has been a LONG day.As Rick T noted this situation happens with many cars, not just the Corvette however the extra large braking system on the Corvette makes the issue more dramatic. I have never had a pad stick to the rotor in my Corvette but it did happen once with my GMC 2500HD pickup which also has very large disc brakes since it has a 9,200 pound GVWR which requires serious brakes. I was taking my German Shepherd in for her annual checkup and the bang from both rear brakes in the pickup coming free upset my normally pretty calm dog.
Last edited by NSC5; May 15, 2017 at 09:35 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,001
Likes: 2,701
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Did you feel the transmission go into gear and the car not want to move, or did it sound/feel like it was still in Park?
There have been problems with "delayed engagement" on the A8, first movement of the day.
There have been problems with "delayed engagement" on the A8, first movement of the day.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 24
Likes: 5
Thanks for the replies, I did put it away right after I washed it. Sounds like my worries were for nothing. I guess I'll have to take it for a short run before I put it away after washing.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 369
Likes: 64
From: Brownsville Tx
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 339
Yep. Stuck pads. I only circled my block once after the last wash and it still did it. Might have to break out the lawn blower next time.
This phenomenon broke a pad on the last car that I had that did it. Seems like high performance metallic brakes might be more prone.
This phenomenon broke a pad on the last car that I had that did it. Seems like high performance metallic brakes might be more prone.