Intermittent grinding noise coming from 1 brake

Vicxas

Hi All,

Bit of a strange one.

Left the car sitting up whilst on holidays for 2 weeks, came back and one of the brakes (the rear driver) makes a grinding sound like its running on bare metal.

Normally i'd think that the pads/discs are worn but i only replaced the pads very recently and seeing as its only intermittent i think that one of the callipers is randomly getting stuck?

Anyone have any ideas, have a feeling i may need to replace the discs but i want to get some opinions before i splash the cash on them. Car is a 2011 Mazda 6

biko

Did you park it long-term with handbrake on?
If you did then it could be the handbrake not releasing fully.

Gone Drinking

Normally dust and dirt can have this affect when you've left it sitting up for a bit. I'd slowly and briefly lift the hand brake about half way up (or until you feel a slight bite) when slowly pulling off next time.

If it's still happening after trying the above, take it to a garage as there's many things it could be.

vicwatson

Possibly a stone stuck in it?

Pops_20

I had one rear caliper seize on a 1999 Toyota starlet before when I left it sitting for 5 days. I find the rain and cold weather contribute to this as all exposed metal will develop a layer of corrosion.

Is the driver side rear brake disc getting very hot after driving. This would indicate a sticking caliper.

Worst case scenario would be getting that caliper rebuilt which doesn't cost too much. In future when away for an extended period, I'd advise parking the car in gear and leave the handbrake off.

Vicxas

Cheers guys, yeah i left her with the handbrake on as it was parked in Dub airport long term and didnt fancy coming back to it sitting in the middle of the road

Shes going in for a service next week so ill ask the mechanic to have a look.

biko

Next time when you leave it long term - park in gear, not in handbrake