Noisy drums

Post by **SoLaMaNdA** » 30 Nov 2004 10:23 pm

My car is usually left for a week or two and when first applying the brakes I can hear a distinct 'scraping' sound from the rear brakes. This soon disappears so I assume its light rust. Me being lazy I can't be bothered to check the drums in the cold winter. What's the likely hood a 360 with just 74k, (70k driven by a grandad) would have worn out rear shoes?

Cheers

Post by **petefarrell360** » 30 Nov 2004 10:33 pm

I'm afraid this may not help you, as my brakes on my 360 GLT do scrape at first, but it's that they don't appear to work that is the problem from a cold start! The pedal works first press, but the car doesn't slow, then second press the pedal travels less and less, until it doesn't move, then a LOT of pressure actually makes them work, then everything is fine. It seems like the fluid is flowing back through the system and needs pumping to the right place again?! I've no idea, but as it's only from cold, and I have to brake everytime before I get out onto the road to shut the gates, so it's never worried me. They work after this perfectly and I remember to do it. It would however be nice to know what the problem could be! SoLaMaNdA does your pedal do the same sort of thing?
Pete

Post by **SoLaMaNdA** » 30 Nov 2004 10:40 pm

I don't have that problem. I've only ever suffered brake fade as you describe after thrashing and getting them very hot. Sounds like your car is urgent need of the brakes blead.

Post by **petefarrell360** » 30 Nov 2004 10:45 pm

I spoke to my mechanic about it briefly one day. He didn't seem too worried and I trust him with my life, I can't remember exactly what he put it down to now. As long as it never does it during a journey or at any other time than after initial start up and first press of the brakes after it's been stood overnight it's not a major concern. It's been like it since I've had it and TBH I couldn't remember if my parent's 360's had been the same, as I had not driven them much. Cheers.
Pete

Post by **bogbasic** » 30 Nov 2004 10:46 pm

Almost certainly the initial hardness of the brake pedal is the servo. It takes a while to build up vacuum which may be causing the lack of braking effect on startup. Its probably worth checking the vacuum hose to the servo for leaks and blockages. Isn't there a filter in this pipe that could be blocked? I had similar problem with another car after I rebuilt the servo - I had put it back together wrongly.

On the original question about noisy brakes, if in doubt, I think there is nothing but to remove the drums and check for excessive wear. This weather its normal for the drums to rust onto the brake shoes slightly if the car is not driven for a while.

Post by **petefarrell360** » 30 Nov 2004 10:50 pm

Cheers bogbasic, you've prompted my memory! Servo it is! I will definitely have a look at the hoses you suggest. Thanks! Pete

Post by **morgan105** » 30 Dec 2004 08:15 pm

Does the scrapping only happen while braking or even when brakes are not being used? If it is only happening while braking for the first few times it will only be light rust because of sitting, if the shoes had had it it would happen everytime you braked as there would be no linings left and it would be metal on metal everytime and if it's that you WILL know about it because of the noise.
If it still carries on for a while driving, until the noise stops, while not useing your brakes it is more than likely that the brakes are stuck on slightly on the back because the handbrake has not fully disengaged due to getting slightly stuck when disengaging with the car being stood for a while and not getting used as much as normal. It is nothing to worry about but next time the car is to be left for long periods after a run try putting the car in a gear to stop it rolling and leave the handbrake off, (IF YOU CAN DEPENDING ON WHERE THE CAR IS BEING PARKED).
Works on my cars! Hope This Helps.

Post by **jtbo** » 30 Dec 2004 09:43 pm

First, sorry about my car english, I'm missing some words here

If there is air in brakelines it can cause pedal not to work at first. Also makes brake pedal to floor under hard braking. Test if you can lock your wheels, if not there is something wrong, if pedal goes deeper while pressing it, there can be air or some gaskets could be bad in thing that contains pistons and pushes brake fluid towards brake cylinders ( is this main cylinder?).

And that vacuum operated thing that gives more braking power (Is that brake servo?)
You can test if it works ok by keeping brake pedal floored while you start your car, pedal should stiffen very fast. Other test is after driving, when you stop engine press few times brake pedal, it should be first normal, then after few times it should stiffen again -> needs more braking power.

Post by **SoLaMaNdA** » 31 Dec 2004 09:46 am

morgan, After everyones advice on here I am now pretty sure its just rust forming when the car sits unused for a week or two. Cheers

Post by **jtbo** » 31 Dec 2004 03:56 pm

SoLaMaNdA wrote:morgan, After everyones advice on here I am now pretty sure its just rust forming when the car sits unused for a week or two. Cheers

I had car parked over 2 months and yes, there was lot of noise from drums when I did first brakings. Also brakes has awesome grip but it gets soon back to normal.

Brakes like when they are used hard, parts move more and will repair a bit of themselfs, well actually parts just move better after heavy use, but same effect

I do weekly few heavy brakings, more or less heavy, depends how much snow/ice there is

Post by **SoLaMaNdA** » 31 Dec 2004 06:06 pm

My usual driving of the car doesn't involve hard braking so this probably helps to make the effects worse.