Hi,

 

To cut a very long story short, the Citigo was parked up for a couple of weeks. When we came to use it, the rear brakes were jammed on. Using some revs, we got the offside wheel freed off but the nearside one wouldn't budge.

 

Skoda Assist came out and freed it off somehow and before they left told my wife that if the car was going to be left standing for more than a few days, to leave it in gear and not use the handbrake!! I couldn't believe that they seriously meant that!

 

We had previously noticed that if the car wasn't driven say, over a weekend, then the rear brakes would stick a bit but come off with a few revs.

 

Anyone else seen this and am I being picky with thinking that this is a fault that needs rectification?

 

thanks

 

Martin

I had this on my previous Honda Civic regularly. Has occurred on other motors too. I used brake cleaner and brake white grease on the linkage and eventually a stronger spring for the release.

"if the car was going to be left standing for more than a few days, to leave it in gear and not use the handbrake"

It's good practice. I never leave my handbrake on if I can avoid it. If I'm out and about then I do put it on but it is always the secondary means of stopping the car rolling away. Facing upwards on a hill I leave my Yeti in P with the front wheels turned and tight to the kerb as well as pulling the handbrake on.

 

 

Edited 15 April, 201511 yr by longedge

"if the car was going to be left standing for more than a few days, to leave it in gear and not use the handbrake"

It's good practice. I never leave my handbrake on if I can avoid it. If I'm out and about then I do put it on but it is always the secondary means of stopping the car rolling away. Facing upwards on a hill I leave my Yeti in P with the front wheels turned and tight to the kerb as well as pulling the handbrake on.

 

 

 

I must admit that I always park mine in gear with the handbrake off when I'm at home,I only leave it with the handbrake on [and in neutral] if I park it in the street.

It's a rust which will jam the brake shoe against brake drum. There isn't much you can do for it. Just avoid using it for long periods, if possible. I don't quite like the idea of stronger springs, as it may prevent brake power.

If you are parking anywhere that is governed by the Road Traffic Act(i.e. a road or public place) then you will commit an offence if you don't put the parking brake on.... what you do on private property is of course entirely up to you!

My Citigo was parked for about 6 days and the rear brakes were jammed on. Had to give it quite some beans to get going... It has happened before, but not as bad as this last time.

I must admit that I always park mine in gear with the handbrake off when I'm at home,I only leave it with the handbrake on [and in neutral] if I park it in the street.

 

"if the car was going to be left standing for more than a few days, to leave it in gear and not use the handbrake"

It's good practice. I never leave my handbrake on if I can avoid it. If I'm out and about then I do put it on but it is always the secondary means of stopping the car rolling away. Facing upwards on a hill I leave my Yeti in P with the front wheels turned and tight to the kerb as well as pulling the handbrake on.

 

 

 

 

 

If you get hit - front or rear - with the car in gear, Gawd help your gearbox....

If you get hit, gearbox turns the engine. That's all. Engine may not like if it's turned wrong direction though.

I've had this happen on a Passat at an airport. Wheel off and hit the drum with a mallet. I drove through a large puddle prior to parking up.

If you get hit - front or rear - with the car in gear, Gawd help your gearbox....

When parked, I leave the car in 'P' not in gear. I wonder, are the clutches engaged when the engine is switched off and the car left in D? You have to put it in P to get the keys out.

 

If anybody hits the car when it's parked, then I hope they do a good enough job to prevent them driving off because I would want to speak with them about it

When parked, I leave the car in 'P' not in gear. I wonder, are the clutches engaged when the engine is switched off and the car left in D? You have to put it in P to get the keys out.

 

If anybody hits the car when it's parked, then I hope they do a good enough job to prevent them driving off because I would want to speak with them about it

 

Yeah - lets hope is not a grab lorry, like the one that hit the rear of a neighbours Merc SLK whilst backing down the road, thus wrecking his gearbox (in "P" and handbrake off).  Of course, someone saw it, but the number plates were so filthy they couldn't be made out.....

I am beginning to find all the faults which keep being reported a little offputting! This was a car which was top of the class in last years JD survey, I wonder why? Dennis

To have a drum rust up tight after 2 weeks seems a little worrying, yes a month but two weeks   A quick tap with a hammer on the drum will normally free a drum up, but to be told to leave it in gear is not on and in fact illegal if left in a public place.  

I'm wondering if there was a lack of maintenance during the pervious owners time?

To have a drum rust up tight after 2 weeks seems a little worrying, yes a month but two weeks   A quick tap with a hammer on the drum will normally free a drum up, but to be told to leave it in gear is not on and in fact illegal if left in a public place.  

I think a lot depends on where you live and work. In my case, being close to the sea and it's salty atmosphere, that's normal, and has been for most of my cars. It disappears within the first applications of the brake pedal.

 

Fred 

Still having a problem with this. There are a few little niggles like this which make me feel like the Citigo is a great little car that wasn't quite tested thoroughly enough.

 

My wife and I have owned dozens of cars and we've never had a car where the handbrake sticks on after as little as three days.

I've recently had a two-year service, which included "rear brake strip and clean"...recommended with rear drums, apparently. The handbrake was also adjusted and the braking system feels much better than it did...perhaps this hasn't been done at service time on yours and the rear brakes are playing up because of it? I've never had any problems with the brakes in over two years.

I used to get this on my old Ibiza after about 6 years, particularly if it was wet. I kept a copper hammer in the boot to wallop its nuts and free shoes from the drums. It was eventually resolved by a (not especially cheap) brake service.

Edited 21 September, 201510 yr by ettlz