I've had my car for a week now. New-to-me '03 A4 3.0 6-speed. 43,550 on the clock. It was warm for the first few days I had it, and I had no problems.

For the last two mornings it's been 20*F-25*F outside when I leave for work in the morning. The e-brake has been sticking on. The handle releases, but the brakes themselves don't. After releasing the handle, you can pull it back up with no resistance till you get to where the brake had been set.

This morning I released the calipers BY HAND by crawling underneath and pushing them back up. I do not believe the cable is sticking, I'm pretty sure it's the calipers.

Anybody else have this problem? I'm planning on pulling the calipers this weekend, taking them apart and lubing them. Any other ideas?

Josh

EDIT: Also, after the brakes are warm it doesn't do it anymore.

 

May want to check yur brake fluid try and bleed the rears maybe you have a clog or old fluid try some simple things b4 bring it to the dealer, but if its still under warranty then bring it in and wash your hands of it.

 

Brake fluid is full. Will bleed them this weekend as well. Warranty ran out in September.

Can someone easily explain how the parking break works on a calipered brake? I know that sounds like a dumb question, but my e-brake experience is with drums on the rear of pickups, so I don't understand how they work on a car w/ rear-calipers. How does the mechanical linkage activate the piston?

 

I had the same problem with my car all winter, I didnt really look at what the problem may be, i just assumed its cold and pads get stuck to the rotor! I may have to check mine out as well

 

The cable pulls on the outside of the piston, turning it, and screwing it out.

 

So possibly the pistons are sticking? New calipers? They are single-piston calipers? Used to doubles...guess stopping 3500 lbs is different than stopping 8500 lbs.

 

Single piston sliding calipers

 

Yeah mine freezes barely on then the light occasionally comes on... kinda annoying but no biggy.