I experienced an odd thing for the first time in my life with my RC-F.

Yesterday, I decided to wash the wheel and get that cruddy brake dust off. It was cool outside and I didn't want to catch cold so immediately after washing the wheels, I pulled the car into the garage and called it a day. Needing to go to the store this morning, I opened the garage door, hopped into the car, started it up and put it in "reverse". Nothing happened. I gave it a bit more throttle and nothing. I put the car in neutral than in drive and carefully applied some throttle but not too much because I didn't want to plow through the work bench in front of me. Still nothing. Now I'm getting a little nervous wondering if something was wrong with the transmission. I put it in reverse one more time and this time I tromped on the gas and, finally, there was a loudish pop and the car moved backward and out of the garage. I completed my short trip to the store and back with no more issues.

All I can think is that, for some reason, the water had caused the brake pads to "bond" to the rotors and it took quite an effort to break that bond. Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon?

I guess a lesson learned might be to take the car for a quick spin to warm up and dry the brake system before putting the car away for the night.

Cheers folks!

 

That's what happens when you do that. You learned your lesson now. Blame hard water for that. That's why I always wash my car at a manual carwash, and use demineralized water (spot-free) at the end. And of course drive the car home, so you don't have that problem. Anyway, it was most likely the parking brake, especially if you used it (next time, don't). But could have been the regular brakes as well. Your first clue on the latter would be a pulsation on the pedal due to build-up on the rotors (where the pads got stuck). If that happens, just do a couple of hard stops after using the car for a while (like just before getting home), and that should take care of it. By the way, the clue nothing is wrong with your tranny is when you feel it get into gear. And yes, the best and least damaging way to get the brakes unstuck is in R, with a quick and hard stab at the throttle, with your left foot on the brake, for a quick stop. Hope this helps.

 

Yup, thanks for the confirmation. As I never use the parking brake, for better or worse, I am sure it was the Brembos not wanting to let go. I'll dry them out before putting her to bed next time.

 

It happened on my RX in the middle of winter but I had the parking brake on which froze.

If you didn't have the parking brakes on, then yes, the rotors will have frozen to the pads.

The best thing to do is just go out for a drive after washing or do some hard braking on the drive, it takes off the rust layer and stops it from freezing.

 

It was well above freezing in the garage and outside so I am thinking the metallic pads "rusted" to the rotors. I will dry them by driving them in the future.

 

Correct - the Orange rust from the raw steel rotor surface held onto the pads...

If you ever look at the rotors after a wash and dry..
They rust quickly from being wet..

Joe Z