Brakes

[bird 60]

Hi Guys, I've an Idea what the problem is but would like your input. It's in relation to my '79 Cadillac Eldorado, Front Wheel Drive.
I get a whooshing sound when I apply the brakes. Plus my rear right wheel feels warm to hot after driving around for awhile in Suburbia. All the other wheels are normal. I had the rear wheel taken off thinking that maybe the Emergency brake wasn't releasing properly. Before that, when it was on the hoist I spun the wheel & it ran freely, No scraping or anything unusual.
The Pads are good & so are the Rotors. The Brakes work well, & the Fluid Reservoir is Full. I had the return spring & other moving parts sprayed with a lubricant in case anything was sticking. The Whooshing sound is still there & the wheel still hot.

Any input would be gratefully appreciated.

Chris.....From OZ

[simplyconnected]

The sound you hear is clearly from the booster.
Heat comes from friction, plain and simple. Make sure your rear brake is releasing properly.

Years ago, Corvette had a problem with their caliper pistons, they rusted after sitting for long periods of time. The first time the disk brakes were applied, they wouldn't release. Many Corvette cars were dragged out of the garage just to give room to work on the brakes.

Chevy's solution was, stainless steel pistons. Since then I have seen pistons made from composite and 'rust resistant' materials.

I have rebuilt calipers in my garage. There isn't much to them and rebuild kits from rockauto.com are about US$4 for your rear caliper (WAGNER Part # F98904).

If you crack the hydraulic bleed screw and the rotor becomes 'free', then suspect the brake hose.

If you have an air compressor and a stick of wood, you can repair your own caliper. The wood is used to 'trap' the piston from flying out like a rocket. Just be careful and watch a few youtube videos. - Dave

[jopizz]

It sounds like you've checked all the obvious causes. Where is the exhaust pipe in relation to the right rear wheel. If it's too close to the wheel or brake line it could be heating the fluid causing it to expand and drag the brake. On a front wheel drive car there's really nothing to the rear wheels except the rotor, caliper and hub/bearing. I would associate a whooshing sound with the brake booster. It's hard to say if the two are related. When you spun the wheel was it while it was hot or after it had cooled off.

John

[bird 60]

Thanks for the reply Dave & John. The mechanic that I am currently using is only around the corner from me. I have an appointment on Tuesday with him. Yes John, the Wheel was warm at the time when I went to the Mechanic , but unfortunately he hadn't quite finished a job he was working on & it had cooled down somewhat. Whilst there I'll have a look at location of the Muffler & Exhaust Pipe. My opinion the only two things that I can think of is obviously the Emergency Brake not releasing all the way or the Calipers.

Chris....From OZ

[simplyconnected]

...If you crack the hydraulic bleed screw and the rotor becomes 'free', then suspect the brake hose...

Never underestimate an internally collapsed or delaminated brake hose.

Troubleshooting bad hoses is what separates the men from the boys. I hope yours are still ok. Chances are much greater that you have a rusty or corroded caliper piston.

Never use petroleum products to clean your brake parts. Use old brake fluid and sand the bores just like you would for drum brake cylinders. - Dave

[bird 60]

Thanks for the advise Dave, will look into those arears on Tuesday.

Chris......From OZ.

[bird 60]

Rear Wheel hot

Hi Guys, just got back from our 6 weeks holiday in Italy & the Greek Islands.

The problem wasn't the emergency brake not releasing, or the callipers. Yep it was the darn collapsed brake hose.

Thank you John & Dave for your input.

Chris......From OZ.

[YellowRose]

Brakes

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