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Topic: Another Brake Lockup

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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Another Brake Lockup (1/6)
 7/8/10 10:37pm
tsmith1499
Former Member

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mount airy, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Charcoal Met., Silver Interior, Gymkhana Suspension, 27K original miles. It's my daily driver.


Joined: 8/27/2006
Posts: 71

So here's the story. Started slightly pulling to the right when applying brakes about 2 weeks ago. When you let off it jerks slightly back to the left. Reader Digest version. Driving home tonight about a mile from home it starts pulling REALLY hard to the LEFT. Another 1/4 mile and I could smell hot brakes. Only being 1/2 mile from home I drove it the rest of the way. Pulled in the driveway and parked and smoke poured out from fenderwell and tire. Left brake was locked up.  Cooled down a bit, pulled wheel off and as it was cooling down I could push pad back slightly and it started to slowly release.  Had to take wife out to dinner and didn't get back till after dark, so I haven't had time to check it out since it has cooled down all the way.  Where do I go from here?  IT only has 28k and I got it at 26K and haven't really had to do anything to it. Could it have gotten bound up on the slides?  Maybe they need some lubrication?  I read in another pot where it was the rubber line. but I don't quite underdstand how that would maje the caliper lock up on the rotor.  Sorry for the long post.  See you in Carlisle!!!!   Thanks, Tom

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1981 Corvette, 26K original miles, charcoal gray, gymkhana suspension, AM/FM/8 track.
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Another Brake Lockup (2/6)
 7/8/10 11:02pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

The calipers on our cars are mounted solid to the spindle supports...no slides.
A hose can cause this problem because it can collapse on the inside. When you press on the brake pedal, you are putting an enormouse amount of pressure thru the lines/hoses to apply the brakes. With the pedal released, there is only the design of the caliper piston seals, and the slight "wobble" of the rotor against the pads to move the pistons/pads away from the rotors. IF there is a problem with the hose, it's like a one-way valve of sorts...it allows the fluid to go thru in one direction, but not the other(at least not very quickly). Eventually, the fluid pressure built up in the hose causes the pads to just keep pressing against the rotors, causing the pull to one side, and eventually, the locking up. If it sits for a while, the residual fluid pressure will bleed back off, and the rotor will turn again.

hth....check those hoses! When something like this happens on the road, a quick test to see if that is what is causing the problem is to loosen the bleeder screw on the caliper. If fluid spits out under pressure, and the brake releases, then something is not allowing the fluid to release from the caliper. Most of the time, this is caused by bad hoses, but it can also be caused by a bad master cylinder.


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Joel Adams
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Another Brake Lockup (3/6)
 7/8/10 11:11pm
lbbounder
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Florence, KY - USA

Vette(s):
1977 Coupe; yellow, 4 speed, one option car with original engine


Joined: 9/9/2007
Posts: 143

I am agreeing with Joel... happened to me and the brake was hot enough to cause the o-ring in the caliper to leak. ...just took me a while to figure it out.

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Another Brake Lockup (4/6)
 7/9/10 11:27am
Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

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1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior


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Posts: 3398

Another in agreement with Joel.  Do what he said...and if you suspect the brake hoses are original or have any age on them...replace them all!  

To me...there are two primary things...even the best brakes and the best tires are barely good enough.  Don't cheap out on maintaining them.  That doesn't mean you have to buy the most expensive of anything...but spend wisely and preventively.  Preventive maintenance goes a long way towards no breakdowns in the future.
Another Brake Lockup (5/6)
 7/9/10 1:06pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

Lots of folks are going to the braided lines for the brake hoses. They will definitely eliminate the deterioration issue, and also help give you a much better pedal feel. If you replace your hoses, it's something to consider. 

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Another Brake Lockup (6/6)
 7/10/10 10:37pm
tsmith1499
Former Member

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mount airy, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Charcoal Met., Silver Interior, Gymkhana Suspension, 27K original miles. It's my daily driver.


Joined: 8/27/2006
Posts: 71

Thanks for the replies and advice.  I know the brake lines are original as the whole car is original with 28K on it now.   Any idea as to who has the best price on braided lines.  If I'm gonna do them, I might as well do both fronts braided and I will do the rears later this winter.  Thanks again!!  Tom

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1981 Corvette, 26K original miles, charcoal gray, gymkhana suspension, AM/FM/8 track.
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