What To Do When Your Brakes Lock Up

What To Do When Your Brakes Lock Up While Driving

Do Not Panic. The single most important thing to remember when experiencing brake lock-up is that it is imperative not to panic.

Find a Place to Stop. The next item of consideration pertains to locating a safe place to come to a stop.

Carefully Exit the Roadway. Once you have determined the point at which you intend to stop, exit the roadway as carefully as possible.

Come to a Stop, Set E-Brake if Necessary. After pulling from the roadway, bring your vehicle to a stop as carefully as possible.

Have the Vehicle Towed For Repair. After experiencing brake lock-up, a vehicle should not be driven under any circumstances, until proper repairs have been made.

What happens when you lock up your brakes?

When brakes lock up, the vehicle may veer sharply to the left or right, and the back end may fishtail causing the driver to lose control [source: Car Talk]. If this happens while you're driving, pump the brakes consistently until you come to a complete stop, and get the car to a mechanic as soon as possible.

Why are my brakes stuck on?

One of the most common causes of sticking brakes is simple: stuck brake calipers. Most vehicles use disc brakes, which include brake pads, rotors, and calipers. If the rubber boot surrounding the caliper piston is torn, that may be your culprit. Have the brake caliper assembly replaced to solve the problem.

Can you drive with a seized brake caliper?

If you have a stuck caliper, the brake pad will not completely disengage from the surface of the brake rotor. This means you will be driving with the brakes applied slightly all of the time. Driving with a stuck caliper can create stress on the transmission, causing it to fail earlier.

Related Question what to do when your brakes lock up

Will ABS cause brakes to lock up?

When it is functioning correctly the ABS system is designed specifically to prevent the wheels from locking up during heavy braking, preventing loss of traction. However, there can be certain instances where a faulty ABS module can behave erratically, causing your brakes to lock up even under normal driving conditions.

Why do wheels lock up?

When there is too much friction in the brakes, usually due to the driver slamming on the pedal at fast speeds, the wheels will not have enough time to catch up. In other words, the friction inside of the braking system will be greater than the friction between the tires and the road.

Why do cars lock up?

If your steering wheel locks up while the car is in motion, perhaps the most likely culprit is a lack of power steering fluid, or dirty power steering fluid. Especially at lower speeds like parking lot maneuvers, the power steering system allows you to turn the wheels with ease.

What causes front wheels to lock up?

There are a few possible causes for your brakes to engage. Caliper pistons can be seized, hoses can be pinched or closed off on the inside, or even electrical problems with the ABS. The brake line being loose would allow air into the system. This usually causes a spongy brake pedal, but can cause brake failure as well.

How do you free a seized brake piston?

Often a simple C-clamp can be used. To remove a caliper piston that has become seized, the hydraulic pressure of the brake system itself can be used. Remove the caliper from the disc, and pump the brake pedal to move the piston past the corroded portion. Now you should be able to disassemble and rebuild it.

How much does it cost to replace a brake caliper?

For passenger vehicles, friction ready brake calipers can cost under $100. And for larger vehicles, it can go up to several hundred dollars. On the other hand, if you'd like a loaded brake caliper with brake pads readily installed on them, you can expect to pay between $100 and $500 for a caliper replacement.

What causes brake calipers to stick?

The common cause for a brake caliper sticking is with the caliper piston and the brake hose. The piston has a rubber boot on it which lubricates and protects it. But if this rubber is torn, it will cause debris and rust to form inside the caliper which means the piston's sliding abilities will diminish.

How do I get my brake caliper unstuck while driving?

Thankfully often a simple c-clamp will get you going. Another way to remove the caliper piston is to use the brake system's hydraulic pressure. Just remove the caliper from the disc and pump the brake pedal to move the piston past the corroded area. After this step it's easier to disassemble and rebuild.

How do I know if my brake calipers are bad?

Pulling to one side. A seized brake caliper or caliper sliders can cause the vehicle to pull to one side or the other while braking.

Fluid leaks.

Spongy or soft brake pedal.

Reduced braking ability.

Uneven brake pad wear.

Dragging sensation.

Abnormal noise.

What does ABS stand for?

CARS.COM — ABS stands for antilock braking system, and if the ABS warning light is illuminated in your car's gauge cluster, that means the antilock system has been deactivated because of a malfunction.

What causes rear brakes to lock up?

Rear drum brakes can lock for several reasons. One reason could be a defective wheel cylinder, which is part of the brake system. Your parking brake cable could also be adjusted too tight. The slightest pressure on the brake pedal, will then cause the brakes to work at full force, causing the lock up.

How do I stop locking up?

If you're finding yourself locking up a lot, you can try reducing your brake pressure setting. This will mean that pushing the brake pedal the same amount will result in less brake power being applied to the car. Alternatively, you can try shifting your brake balance rearward.