Car unused-rusty brake discs?

scot22_2

GM thanks for your courteous response to my post.  I don't disagree with your knowledge, I know little about car mechanics.  However, I have concerns about reliance on anonymous posts.
The OP has been driving in London with brakes that may be suspect.  He refers to a thud, thud.  Needs someone competent to assess.

George_Michael

scot22_2 said:

  He refers to a thud, thud.  Needs someone competent to assess.

A noise from the brakes after the car has been sitting for a few weeks isn't in itself too much to worry about but I agree that if applying the brakes a few times doesn't resolve the problem then the next step is a trip to a garage (or getting a mobile mechanic to have a look).

Mickey666

As previously mentioned, rusty brake discs are perfectly normal.  Also, not using a car for a few weeks is perfectly normal. 

Does anyone honestly think designers and manufacturers have not catered for this when developing the most safety-critical part of any car - along with water, grit, salt, mud and anything else that can be thrown up from the road? 

Besides, as the OP has stated, the brakes are working perfectly well, just making a bit of noise.  I'd give it a lot longer than a short trip and a 'few times' before concluding anything is wrong with the brakes, especially if they are working effectively. 

But by all means take a trip to the garage and get new discs and pads all around, I'm sure they will be noise-free on the way home . . . . even if they are rusty again after a week or two

Norman_Castle

stevoh said:

Thanks for the quick response everyone. I applied the brakes quite a few times and trying to drive whilst touching the brake with my left foot. As I say though, it was at low speeds and just around the block. I'll try at higher speeds if you feel its not a major issue.

No need for higher speeds, gather momentum and use heavier braking. Make sure there's no one behind you or look for an empty car park.

MalMonroe

dipsomaniac said:

KimJongUn88 said:

Don’t try and drive whilst touching the brakes with your left foot. That’s a stupid thing to do. Nobody advised you to do that.

Just do a few forceful stops from a moderate speed.

What's wrong with braking with left foot? Do it all the time in a auto

OP. If thud is still there after a couple of brake tests I would investigate further.

Are you sure you do it all the time in an auto? Not supposed to, although some 'experts' think it may be safer. I always worry about hitting both pedals at the same time when using both feet. Better off just using one foot to do both in an automatic.

MalMonroe

The good thing is that your car is going to be looked at on Friday. If it were me I'd be careful until then! I live in a very hilly city and faulty brakes could literally be the death of me. Always best to make sure your brakes are working properly. Any noise connected with brakes needs to be investigated by a mechanic. (That's a lesson I learned the hard way!)

dipsomaniac

MalMonroe said:

dipsomaniac said:

KimJongUn88 said:

Don’t try and drive whilst touching the brakes with your left foot. That’s a stupid thing to do. Nobody advised you to do that.

Just do a few forceful stops from a moderate speed.

What's wrong with braking with left foot? Do it all the time in a auto

OP. If thud is still there after a couple of brake tests I would investigate further.

Are you sure you do it all the time in an auto? Not supposed to, although some 'experts' think it may be safer. I always worry about hitting both pedals at the same time when using both feet. Better off just using one foot to do both in an automatic.

Have done it a lot but choose mostly to use just one foot. You have more chance of hitting both pedals with one foot imo.  I was just reacting to a comment saying it was a stupid thing to do.

prowla

A word of advice, albeit after the event; it you're going to leave the car for a while it can be an idea to not put the handbrake on.

(Of course, don't do that if you park it on a slope!)

prowla

KimJongUn88 said:

Don’t try and drive whilst touching the brakes with your left foot. That’s a stupid thing to do. Nobody advised you to do that.

Why.....?

Belenus

The last time I tried left foot braking I almost broke my nose on the windscreen.