Frozen brakes on Clio Sport 07 plate

[T40ORA]

Does this happen to anyone else? Frozen as in due to the cold. It happened to my wife's car last year and again this year; one of the rear wheels, so the handbrake freezing on due to the cold weather.

Not sure if it is a fault or she has maybe managed to warp a disc.

[Ginger goblin]

It's to do with moisture on the brake discs/pads or both when the handbrake is applied. In this instance I'd imagine this moisture will have frozen (as we're in winter) but it's also happenned to me in the summer when it's been raining: something to do with a thin layer of rust forming and adhering the components to eachother.

Someone more mechanically minded will probably say the reasons why it's not good for the pads/discs long-term but I just make sure I do a couple of emergency stops to clean off the discs/pads and then normal braking performance returns.

[T40ORA]

Yeah, I'd guessed that, but my wife says that one wheel doesn't seem to free up unless she throws lukewarm water over it - even after she has tried to move on.

[rb5er]

When did you last change the brake fluid?

Over time brake fluid absorbs moisture, it could be freezing and cause the caliper to stick.

Should be changed every 2 years.

[T40ORA]

rb5er said:

When did you last change the brake fluid?

Over time brake fluid absorbs moisture, it could be freezing and cause the caliper to stick.

Should be changed every 2 years.

Ah. That might make sense. Not sure when she last had a major service....

[jimtech]

rb5er said:

When did you last change the brake fluid?

Over time brake fluid absorbs moisture, it could be freezing and cause the caliper to stick.

Should be changed every 2 years.

if the fluid absorbed that much water so it could freeze the pedal would be awful,as when the brakes got hot the moisture would evaporate causing the spongy pedal. I would suspect that water has got into the handbrake cable and has frozen the cable in the applied position, putting the hot water over it will cure for the time being but that water will freeze too. a bit of wd40 might help untill the cable could be checked.hope this helps

[SpeedMattersNot]

I can't picture the 197's rear calipers in my head at the moment, have they got the normal return spring for the handbrake mechanism on each caliper, like the phase 2 Laguna's?

If so it could be worth spraying WD40 on it and working the handbrake back and forth.

Edit: Also, unless it is different for the Sport range, most Renaults are 4years for every brake fluid change. Brake fluid is hydroscopic, but not as bad as some people think. It only takes 4% water content and you'd feel a difference with a renewal.

Might be every 2 years for the Sport range, but I don't recall that, not worth doing it if she doesn't take it on track either.

Edited by SpeedMattersNot on Wednesday 18th January 09:16

[T40ORA]

I'll try the WD40 when I am home this weekend. And no, she certainly doesn't track it! Sadly.

[John D.]

I always used to park my 172 in gear rather than use the handbrake as any slight moisture would make the pads and rear discs bind. Expect that is what is going on.

Doing this is fine as long as you remember you have done it before starting the car!