Rooted To The Spot

[seefive]

My C5 has been unwilling to get going the last few mornings. Engine starts fine, but when I let the clutch up and release the brake, it feels like the handbrake is still on. I have to rev higher, then there's a clunk and the car moves.

There's no nasty noise or problems with the brakes, no fault light and the car feewheels fine. No dead cat under the wheels either.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[Guest corgi]

My C5 has been unwilling to get going the last few mornings. Engine starts fine, but when I let the clutch up and release the brake, it feels like the handbrake is still on. I have to rev higher, then there's a clunk and the car moves.

There's no nasty noise or problems with the brakes, no fault light and the car feewheels fine. No dead cat under the wheels either.

Any ideas?

Thanks

hi seefive

I have had this.

it was the pads sticking to discs usually during v/cold weather.

to prove park and leave overnight in gear but do not apply handbrake

[paul.h]

I have had this when the car has been garaged when the brake discs have been wet.

Also on one car where water got into the end of the handbrake cable and would freeze - in this case the handbrake stayed on until the cable warmed up (hair drier or driving slowly until the pads/brake heated up). Cured by greasing the cable and replacing the rubber bellows at the cable end.

[Guest Ern]

I have had this when the car has been garaged when the brake discs have been wet.

Also on one car where water got into the end of the handbrake cable and would freeze - in this case the handbrake stayed on until the cable warmed up (hair drier or driving slowly until the pads/brake heated up). Cured by greasing the cable and replacing the rubber bellows at the cable end.

[Guest Ern]

My C5 has been unwilling to get going the last few mornings. Engine starts fine, but when I let the clutch up and release the brake, it feels like the handbrake is still on. I have to rev higher, then there's a clunk and the car moves.

There's no nasty noise or problems with the brakes, no fault light and the car feewheels fine. No dead cat under the wheels either.

Any ideas?

Thanks

I know this problem well. It is caused by the brake pads sticking to the discs. The discs rust very rapidly when wet and if the car is then parked with the handbrake on the pads stick to the discs and it can take quite an effort to release them. The car may not want to move and when they release it will be accompanied by a loud cracking noise. I find that it occurs after power washing the car and wheels and then not driving far enough afterwards to dry the discs and pads thoroughly.