Where I park my car at home is on a fairly sleep slope so the handbrake is applied strongly. Recently I've been having problems with the rear brakes (drums) sticking. Today it was the worst where I released the handbrake and give it quite a lot of revs to get the brakes to 'unstick' and the car to move.

Doesn't happen al the time, seems worst when its been wet overnight.

Cars due its second service in March and as far as I'm aware cleaning out the brakes isn't part of the first service. Would a likely solution be to get the rear brakes stripped down and cleaned or is this likely to cost me a lot for more work?

The rear brakes haven't locked up whilst driving but I'm worried it will get worse if I leave it and potentially become dangerous.

Didn't have the problem with my last GP at the same sort of mileage (19k)

anyone?

I had this with our first GP a 1.4 Dynamic.
It used to sit outside for long spells with the h/brake on and if it rained the brakes would stick on. On most occasions driving off would free them off but once I had to remove the wheel and belt the drum with a hammer to release the OSR brake.:bang:

So yes it has happened to other drum braked cars.

The T jets etc, having disc all round, I haven't had the same problem.:yum:

hmm the thing it its sticking after being left just 12 hours (overnight) and seems to be getting worse

30111987 said:

hmm the thing it its sticking after being left just 12 hours (overnight) and seems to be getting worse

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Do you wash your car alot ?? ive had this problem and took it to the dealer they had a good look... the problem turned out to be soap getting into the drum and sticking the pads to the wall. they told me when i was washing my car try not to use a power washer to was the soap off the rear wheels. Not had the problem since hope this helps

hmm could be snow foam getting in?

I don't jet wash the wheels for fear of damaging the tyres but I do take cleaning the car fairly seriously...

Just to update I had my local Kwik Fit clean out the rear brakes at the weekend (don't knock them, not all Kwik Fits are bad) and it seemed fin until today. When once again I released the handbrake after the car sitting on the drive overnight and the car didn't move.
Booked into the dealer now as I suspect somethings ceasing with the cold damp weather though I'm no expert.

Will take my camcorder out next time to try and get the problem recorded as I doubt the dealer will be able to reproduce it (though I will leave the car with them overnight).

can't you just leave the car in gear?

GrandeAdam said:

can't you just leave the car in gear?

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I do in case the handbrake fails but the handbrake should work, not stick like this...

I can have a slight sticking on the rear discs of my Mjet after a real good session with the powerwash, but its a very slight reluctance and soon releases, looks as if its water related though.

Mine does this too, and it ain't the result of me washing it too much!

At my last service I asked if they could have a look, but they've clearly not fixed it, as I thought I was stuck solid this morning!

Well it was due to go to the dealer on Thursday but I think I'll cancel as it hasn't stuck at all this last week! I've been doing some hard braking in the past few days which seems to have further cleaned and polished the drums - curing the problem.