HELP! One of my rear breaks is stuck... Glowing Red Rotor

[manguyen]

Guys i would like to know exactly what is happening. I think my parking break on the rear passenger side is not releasing. When im driving it smells like something is getting burnt and also my rotors glow bright red.

[Sydeshow MO]

Nobody here can help you and I doubt your rotors are glowing red. Take it in man, thats pretty serious.

[JStanger]

Been there done that. Not with the Audi but my old Celica. It happened twice. Rotors were super red, glowing and smoking and the smell was awful. Don't know what caused it.

[manguyen]

yeah, sydeshow, im sorry but it was dark outside and when i looked at my wheel my rotors was definatly glowing and hot as hell. I'm just thinking of swapping out the brakes, but was just wondering if it was just my parking brake not releasing.

[roarincheetah]

I was in a friends Civic (ek hatch) and he was driving crazy as hell. The car started to smoke so we pulled over. The caliper paint was on fire and it was starting to burn his rims. We had to piss on them to put it out. It was sooooo funny and i can not tell you what that smells like.

Anyway, i would take that to someone that knows what they are doing

[manguyen]

i had to throw snow on mine. Do you guys think by just upgrading my brakes it should take care of this problem?

[wzmivan]

i had a smiliar problem, when they dismantled my rear caliper, the pin was rusted in and jammed. And caused 1 side of the pads to wear out faster than the other.

The side where the caliper was jammed. (each caliper has 2 pads) the outer side had 60% left and the other was worn out to the metal backing.

[quattrotman]

More than likely your caliper has seized (piston inside has rusted and will not move). You'll need to have it overhauled or just buy a new one. You will also need a new rotor because you've toasted it (if it really glowed red) and new pads and may have messed the bearings too from the heat. In all, it can be expensive if not attended to right away.

[manguyen]

So whats the worse that can happen? because metal eatting the rotors?

[roarincheetah]

Go with the rotors and pads that i have. I drive my car like its stolen and they hold up strong as hell

[quattrotman]

So whats the worse that can happen? because metal eatting the rotors?

The worst that can happen is that is seizes while driving (kinda like pulling your e-brake). Can be dangerous if you're at speed. You should avoid driving on it and fix it as soon as you can if it is as bad as you say. Damage probably won't go beyond what I've already mentioned but why risk making it a bigger and more expensive thing than it needs to be.

[JStanger]

Mine froze while driving. When i would let out on the clutch to begin rolling forward it wouldn't. You will probably need to replace your rotors and pads.

[diagnosticator]

This problem is caused by the ebrake cable sticking. Usually from water getting into the cable and then freezing when the outside temps drop below freezing. To release the stuck cable, use a 2X2 about 2 feet long, placed through the wheel, with the end placed under the end of the ebrake lever arm at the rear caliber. Use the 2X2 to lever against the wheel, and lift the ebrake arm in the upward direction to release the ebrake. Make sure the hand lever inside the car is fully released first. When fully released, the ebrake arm at the caliper, will be against the stop at the upward position.

[S4BluDvL]

and that's why diagnosticator is the sh!t. great to have you on both AW and AZ diag.

[quattrotman]

Why don't you test it out. Park your car in a heated garage overnight or even just for a few hours and see if it still seizes. I have my doubts that it's just the cold weather if you say that it was bad enough to cause your rotor to glow red.

[manguyen]

hahah alright. It seems like its been happening when its really cold out lately. and lately it hasnt been doing it. But i guess i havent driven it enough. I just hope its the ebrake lines as thats a cheap fix.

[derleicaman]

diagnosticator is 100% correct. The same thig just happened on my old GTI (now my son's car). E brake froze with water that had gotten in the line from the boot failing. Just had it up on the rack this morning. Advised my son to leave the car in gear when parking and forget using the ebrake until the weather warms up. Its a bitch as we had replaced the ebrake cables a little more than a year ago.

[Peter@VMRWheels]

Dude, I want to see glowing rotors on an Audi :)

[manguyen]

hahah i should of taken a picture, but at the moment didnt have a camera... its not doiong it any more as im not using my parking brakes. Audi says about 300-400 to replace my lines ugh... anyone know how hard it is to replace these lines?

[manguyen]

I'm just kinda glad now that i can save the money that i would of used in new rear rotors, pads, and calipers on something else. Probably do the usp front.

[quattrotman]

I'm just kinda glad now that i can save the money that i would of used in new rear rotors, pads, and calipers on something else. Probably do the usp front.

Yes but regardless of the reason for your brakes to seize, if they were glowing red, the damage has been done and you will likely need to have the pads, rotors, etc looked at and possibly replaced. If they got that hot, at the very least, the pads are done.
Also, if it is the lines that froze then that's great but I have had the same happen to me and on my 98 jetta and it was the caliper. It had rusted and seized. This is common on VW rear calipers.

[manguyen]

Well i had someone look at my pads and they said it was okay. For the last day or two ive not been using the ebrakes and they have been fine.

[AudiMat]

It is the cold doing this, i have the same problem with my car since its below freezing out now. Try and not use your e-brake when its below freezing. If this happens when its not below freezing then its a sign that your calipers are seezing up and need to be replaced. Glowing red hot rotors once is not going to do much permanant damage to them, BUT PUTTING SNOW ON THEN WHILE THEY ARE THAT HOT WILL! Dont do that, thats a real good way to warp your rotors really badly!!!