Parking brake / emergency brake frozen - stuck

[65CorsaTurbo]

When the temps were under 20-30 here in Pittsburgh recently, my rear driver side parking brake froze. I knew immediately that something was wrong, but I had to get to work. After arriving on my approx. one mile journey, my rear rotor was red hot. (SEE PICS BELOW) I put it in the garage at work to thaw out and it was Ok until the next time it sat in the cold.

I finally found a helpful post here on the site that points to a rubber boot not being seated at the parking brake cable, allowing water to enter and freeze. I don't know yet if this is the issue with my car, but more than likely it is.
Here is the post:
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...roblems-buzzing-rattling-brakes-freezing.html

I'm concerned that the extreme heat may have compromised my rotor, bearing grease etc....there was a slight groove on the rotor also, so maybe I should see the dealer since it's still under warranty. Any thoughts on the bearing grease being ruined ???

I read posts where people suggested the parking brake should never be used in cold weather. I say BS, this is a 2013 car and I should be able to use that brake in any weather. I have a 1966 Chevy Corvair that I drive also. I got in in the other day in 10 degree weather and everything worked perfectly and it's not a babied, restored car. The parking braked had been on and it disengaged as it should.

This has basically been my only trouble with my 2013 RS 6 manual thus far. (well, it appears that I also have the water pump leak and I will schedule it to go to the dealer soon, after my brake unfreezes) I like it more and more as time as miles go by. (18 K miles)

Hope this info helps anybody having a similar problem.

 

[Swordsmith]

I have not had this problem at temps as low as 14 below (F). I don't believe it is a "you should not use the EBrake when cold out" issue, which I have never heard of and which makes no sense, if it's cold out suddenly you'd be fine with your car rolling into an intersection and killing some folks?

 

[MORTIS]

With all due respect to Swordsmith, of which I have much, I disagree. Just because a mechanical system should be able to work in certain extreme condition doesn't mean you should always force it to do so, because if it fails, it will be your problem.
I've seen rear calipers freeze on discs before when the handbrake was used during extreme cold, although not on any of my cars. Unless you're parked on an incline, then 1st gear should hold the car fine. You can also turn the wheels toward a curb for added assurance in case it rolls.

If I were in your position now, I'd try to get it fixed under warranty, but next time I wouldn't take the same chance again and risk it sticking again and going through the hassle... again.

 

[Papasonic]

Wow, I've never seen a rotor on a passenger car that red hot. Looks like to fix that, it will need a rotor, caliper, brake pads, possibly wheel bearings, and anything else that got cooked. Remember that the pads were clamped tight to the rotor, and all that heat is transferred to the caliper assembly. The RS with rear disks did have a problem with an incorrectly assembled boot seal on the park brake cable; which allowed water to pool in the cable housing, and freeze in the extreme cold. I've read that it is difficult to remove the water to prevent a repeat problem. Just assembling the boot seal properly after thawing it out, won't solve the problem.

 

[65CorsaTurbo]

Thanks for the input. It looks like a call to the dealer is in order.

Bill

 

[bluejay]

in the past when i would have this problem i would keep a rubber mallet or dead blow hammer in my car . when ur P-brake freezes or gets stuck i would simply release the P-brake and take the hammer and hit the back rims moving in a clockwise pattern . starting lightly and hitting harder and harder till u hear the brakes release . it sounds silly but it totally saved my a$$ plenty of times when i was working the night shift in the winter and i go to leave and find my wheels locked. also works when u have parked the car for a long time and u have rust locking up the back wheels.

 

[Howanitz]

There was actually a recall issued for this. I was having the same problem with my rs last winter. Got the recall and took it in all was fine from there out. Any of the dealers should be aware of the recall on it.

 

[Rowdy_Sonic_RS]

Yeah, one of the cables freezes up. I had it fixed under warranty. :banana: