Brakes binding at the front

[Steve McF]

So I got the Aero back after the long running traction control fault saga. All good, but within probably 100 miles of driving since I got the car back, I now have what sounds like brakes binding at the front wheels.

Today I managed to jack the car up to check the front wheels. Both front wheels don't rotate freely and sound like the brakes might be binding. So I was thinking a caliper might be at fault, but how can both calipers be faulty at the same time?

Could there be an ABS issue? There are no faults showing, so what is going on?

[carrera]

I think you need to try the basics before assuming more complicated problems.

Remove each caliper in turn, wind it back fully, remove / replace the pads with removal of dust & rust as necessery and treat the seals to a little brake fluid. Make sure that the disc is properly secured to the hub, and the surface between the bub and disc is clean. Then spin the disc before refitting the caliper to make sure there is no contact between the disc and the backing plate.

You can then check each wheel in turn by pressing the brake pedal & ensuring the pads do withdraw when the pedal is released. Or not.

[sgould]

Can you do a short drive from cold, without using the front brakes? I'm suggesting a slow start and only using the handbrake on the rear to stop.  When you do stop, are the front brakes hot.  If they really are binding the discs and callipers will be hot.  They will be a bit warm as there is no return spring on disc brakes, the pads just stop pressing hard against the discs.

You won't get the front wheels to rotate freely as they have to move the differential. 

[Steve McF]

I moved the car today for the first time in a little while, and the binding sounded a bit like it was coming from the back rather than the front, but I couldn't be sure!!!!