Winter cold and effects on car

[Striker2237]

^^^^^^^^^

This is why synth helps, narrows the differance between summer and winter temps. Not related but timing chains for the win! I don't like belts!

[pletby]

Well it turns out I do have a rear brake sticking intermittently. Looks like I'll have to pull that apart and see what's up. For now not using parking brake helps. With the warm weather there was splashing water that could have gotten into a chafed cable, then the deep freeze.

I could only really tell the problem as I pull up to a stop and hear the brake squeal after I let go of the brakes while still moving a bit. Doh!

Good conversation guys.

[user removed]

Originally Posted by pletby

Well it turns out I do have a rear brake sticking intermittently. Looks like I'll have to pull that apart and see what's up. For now not using parking brake helps. With the warm weather there was splashing water that could have gotten into a chafed cable, then the deep freeze.

I could only really tell the problem as I pull up to a stop and hear the brake squeal after I let go of the brakes while still moving a bit. Doh!

Good conversation guys.

Check the brake cable. They were notorious for sticking on Nissans with rear discs, especially when temps got below freezing.

regards
mech

[NeilBlanchard]

Coolant takes at least 6 miles to heat up to 184F in the winter, while it take less than half that in the summer. And of course snow and ice have lots of slippage in addition to much higher rolling resistance.

[Hersbird]

I actually changed my transmission/front differential fluid yesterday with full synthetic 75w-90 because of this thread reminder. It was easier then I expected, easier then changing the motor oil, and I bet it hasn't been done in the 13 year 160,000 mile life of the car so it feels much better, but then again we will see today after work as it's sitting all day with a high of 15°F. Overnight it sits in a garage that usually stays above or around freezing so this morning wasn't a good test.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by pletby

Well it turns out I do have a rear brake sticking intermittently.

I put my car up on stands today and found my parking brake problem. There is a cut through 2 layers of rubber that protects my brake cable. The cable hangs down as it goes further back on my car, and then bends upwards to the brake caliper. The U that is created collects water that freezes the cable in place.

Since leaving the parking brake off, I noticed one cold morning that I couldn't apply the parking brake because it had frozen in the unlocked position.

I'll have to research how much cost and effort replacing the cable will be, otherwise I might just attempt to dry the cable all summer and then seal the damaged rubber with hot glue or some such substance.

Wish I would have noticed the cable damage before replacing the perfectly good calipers. The remanufactured ones are quickly rusting, unlike the factory calipers.

[JRMichler]

I just replaced, for the third time, a parking brake cable. When I notice that the parking brake releases without the usual bang, I start checking brake drum temperatures. When I drive to work, and one brake drum is cold while the other is warm, it's time to replace a parking brake cable.

[pletby]

That's a good test. I'll meant to do it today but was thwarted by my wheel covers and shortage of time. I'll need to remove them before a commute and test. Thanks.