"Sticking brake" when I first back out of the garage...

[ScottM]

Brief history; I recently installed powerstop front brake pads. I did not turn the rotors or anything of the sort, just swapped. I then did the burn in. I've been on them for about 150+/- miles.

Problem; After the car has been sitting for a while overnight, I start her up and back out of the driveway turning the rear-end left to back out (that probably doesn't matter). In any event, it feels as if the brakes might be sticking. Having said that, it also almost feels like the front wheels are dragging a bit as I'm turning (maybe just in my mind). As I put her in D and turn the wheel to the right, I move forward and I feel it very slightly (the "sticking"). As I'm driving normal street speeds to work, I feel nothing. I figure most likely because of the speed or "it" has worked itself out. I get to work, pull into the spot and then try to back out to see if it still happens. Operates normally. When I get off work and back out of the spot, whammo...same thing. I noticed this about 2 weeks ago. Not sure if this actually started right after the brake swap. Caliper, brake pad, rotor, driver...??? Any insight would be of great help!

 

[stoopid]

Any noise when the 'sticking' disengages? You may need to roll your windows down to hear it (if there is any).

I'm thinking one or more of the pads might not be seated correctly. Unlikely to be corrosion, because desert (it would take longer than a couple hours at work for corrosion to start).

Did you do the install/experienced, or did you pay someone?

 

[ScottM]

@stoopid; I don't hear anything when it "disengages", but I can definitely hear slightly that it's holding as I'm pulling out of the garage. Yeah, I don't think it's corrosion.

Soooo...I installed them myself. I just did the fronts. Seemed fairly easy, with my limited skillset. One thing I did notice this weekend. I pushed on all four of the pads this weekend with the wheels on and 3 of the 4 seemed to have a spring motion (as in, not too tight to the rotor). I figured that was good. The one that seemed tight (no "spring") was on the passenger front. Dude was not moving. I then thought, maybe I did something wrong. Lifted the car up and took off both fronts to reseat. I was going to reseat both on the same axel, then I decided to swap left to right and right to left. Then...I did the same "push" deal with all four and the tight one is now on the driver front. Brake pad issue??? I can't see that being the case.

 

[stoopid]

@stoopid...I decided to swap left to right and right to left. Then...I did the same "push" deal with all four and the tight one is now on the driver front. Brake pad issue??? I can't see that being the case.

Pads and discs are fairly easy (drums, not so much). I've done them in the past, although I paid someone this time since I don't have everything I would need. It's something you should feel fine attempting as long as you know how to safely retract the piston/caliper and don't have ten thumbs.

Anyway, there's usually a thin metal shroud, sometimes integrated into the pad, that I have seen cause sticking and that might be the issue here. If that shroud (I'm not sure what it's actually called) is bent even a little it can interfere with that spring motion you noted. If you end up diving in again, I would closely inspect the one that's sticking and compare it to the other looking for anything that isn't lined up exactly.

There's brake cleaner that can be used to help remove grime that collects fairly quick in these always exposed components, which can interfere with the free movement of the pads in the caliper. But the fact the issue followed the pad to a previously unaffected caliper indicates it's something with that pad (as you rightly concluded).

Isn't doing work on your car fun? That's why I just paid someone this time instead of buying stands and whatever else I'm missing. lol

 

[ScottM]

@stoopid ... I think I'll give it another shot this weekend. I was kind of thinking it might be that dealio (tech term).

And I used to do work on my 2003 Ford F-150 Harley Truck. Seemed much easier back then. But yes, lots of fun "fixing" something, getting kudos from the wife and here I am. Shhhh...don't tell the wife...she thinks I know WTF I'm doing.

 

[JSolo]

Try backing into the garage so you can drive right out? See if noise persists.

 

[ScottM]

@JSolo I'll try that as well, couldn't hurt. At this point the only thing I can think of is the pad itself.

 

[Rodtheviking]

Mine stick, doesn't seem to affect anything. I have DFC 5000 pads, they work well but squeal like mad when cold.

 

[ScottM]

@Rodtheviking ... I had the same problem with my previous brakes (PosiQuiet)...interesting name for those squeakers. I then changed them out for these and while they are quiet...they seem to stick. I do not think that there is direct affect with my issue on anything that I can tell, other than the "sticking" for a bit. I checked to see if they were hot beyond normal or if there was a smell and nothing out of the ordinary. Odd stuff...but as I said earlier, I did them myself so maybe the duct tape that I used to hold them in is not a good idea.

 

[asleepingdog]

When you installed the pads did they move freely when seated? They should not be a tight fit.

Story time: I've been replacing my own brake pads for the last 30 years, and I've never had an issue. I had a company vehicle that I was forced to take to a "certified ASE mechanic," and when I got it back it was making an ear piercing metal on metal squealing sound. I didn't want to take it back to the mechanic, because they obviously didn't know what they were doing, so I took it to a dealer. They said they couldn't find anything wrong. EAR PIERCING might I remind you. I put the truck up on jacks when I got home and found that the tabs on the brake pads that seat into the metal bracket were to large, so large that whoever installed them had to hammer them in. Every time I hit the brakes the metal bracket would push against the rotor, because the pads were wedged in so tight. I took the pads off, ground down the tabs, then reinstalled them. No issues after that.

Here's the moral of the story... make sure the tabs on the pads are not too big that they don't allow for movement.

 

[ScottM]

@asleepingdog ... The first time I installed them, I just checked to make sure everything was "buttoned" up correctly so I wouldn't die. The rotors spun relatively freely, with the resistance that I read was normal. The second time I sort of did it in a hurry because I didn't realize I had an appointment to make. The rotor's still spun relatively freely. The only thing I noticed was the "tightness" moving from front passenger to front driver when I switched the pads from front passenger to front driver. I want to agree with @stoopid that it might be the shim. My plan...oh boy... to take things apart again this weekend and really give things a look.

 

[CKeeler]

Do you live in an area with higher humidity levels?
How long does your car sit?
Is your garage not insulated?

All of these can contribute to the pad “sticking” to the disc because of moisture.

This happens to me especially after driving in the rain and not driving for a couple days.
Take a look at the discs on your car before you drive it again. Take note of what the braking surface looks like. If it has an orange discoloration “surface rust”, that’s more than likely the problem you are experiencing.
If you had installed the pads incorrectly, you would more than likely have a loud “clunk” sound when braking

 

[ScottM]

@CKeeler ...I live in Las Vegas, NV... so pretty dry. Though it is "winter" here in Vegas, so there is our normal moisture stuff going on. My car usually sits for about 24 hours give or take. I do notice that it has the "rust" thing to it, but I figure that's from washing the car and such. I'll pull things apart again this weekend to give it another look. I gotta believe it's something relatively simple.

 

[NS_Stinger]

100% normal if you washed the car and parked it right away or parked it after driving it in the rain. If neither are the case and it happens all the time I would personally take the pads out and lubricate everything and reassemble, also make sure you installed the clips correctly, i ve heard of people installing those backwards.

 

[Rodtheviking]

Are you using "auto hold" when parking?

 

[Snicklefritz]

Are you using "auto hold" when parking?

I'm interested in why you asked this question. I use autohold all the time, usually set it upon startup, which means coming out of parking or entering parking. never had any brake issues.

 

[JSolo]

Using autohold automatically sets the parking brake when in P iirc.

 

[Rodtheviking]

I'm interested in why you asked this question. I use autohold all the time, usually set it upon startup, which means coming out of parking or entering leave parking. never had any brake issues.

It will leave some line pressure on the brakes after shut off, could be the cause.

 

[ScottM]

So...update, sort of. It took me some time to pull things apart because of holiday stuff, but I didn't really find anything unusual. I did try one thing, maybe not a good idea...but I flipped the inside pad with the outside pad (left driver side rotor). As in, the pad wear indicator is now on the inside of the rotor. I know this is relatively stupid as the indicator should be on on the outside, but I thought maybe that would tell me something. So, I lightly lubed everything up and put things back together. I didn't drive a ton since I did this, but the few times...seems things are about the same or maybe a little less. BUT...I need to drive more. It might just be me and my OCD (Obsessive Car Dumminess). I'll keep an eye on things and report back.

Thank you everyone for your ideas. Maybe I need to part out?

 

[ScottM]

As a follow-up on this, for those that are watching this thread intently. I decided to do my back brakes and I still have the same issue. It's doesn't feel as "bad" though. NOW...I was reading the thread about a differential oil change and I did recently have my mine changed at a shop. If they did something wrong (not sure how), would or could it cause this type of thing (feeling) when backing out??? I also notice that when the stinger is cold and I'm pulling out into traffic, I sort of feel a light "spin" at the back wheels. Almost as if I'm loosing grip. Once again, all of this could just me and I'm reading too much and should just stop reading.