Sitting Outside 5 years - stuck brakes

LUFTKUL · 07-28-2016, 10:45 PM

I need to pick up an SC that has been sitting outside with a cover for 5 years. It does not run and has not moved for 5+ years.

What are the best steps to make sure the brake pads and rotors aren't seized? Is it a bad idea to gently pull from both front tow points with my truck to see if it will roll on its on?

Worst case scenario I could take each wheel off and remove each stuck caliper with a hammer and wood if they won't pull free?

850carnut · 07-28-2016, 11:34 PM

I bought one sat for 5 years . We put it on flat bed rolled fine but when got to my house the brakes froze, Could not roll back finally got back tires on ground and he had to drive forward to get it off. You don't have to remove caliper completely just loosen mounting bolts a couple turns and push caliper in may need big C clamp or your hammer it will push piston back enough to roll the car. Also if they are stuck and your going to rebuild them its easier to push stuck piston out with brake pressure before removing caliper. There are good threads here on how to do it.

zedsn · 07-29-2016, 02:59 AM

My car sat for 2 years outside and the front calipers froze. If your brakes are indeed hanging up do your style calipers have the 2 retaining pins and if so you can pop the pins out and pry out the pads and the car will roll fine just don't push down on the pedal then.

bbturbo · 07-29-2016, 05:47 AM

My SC when I got it was sitting outside for around the same time, and not driven since 99. It pulled just fine from its spot. I had everything replaced including pedal cluster. I was able to slowly pull it right out of the spot it sat. E-brake still worked for immediate stops.

RichardNew · RichardNew's Garage

I hope you're using a trailer - or a roll-back.

Pleas don't tell us you're going to try to drive this car home.

Richard Newton
Historical Racing Images

LUFTKUL · 07-29-2016, 07:48 AM

No driving, but I do need to get it on to a trailer. I don't have a winch on the trailer, but I have a heavy duty come-along to get it up on to the trailer if I can get it to roll freely.

I've never dealt with one that might have seized brakes sitting so long. It's an SC so not sure about the pins, but I'll look for the answer. It's an '82.

Jdub · 11:55 AM

If you are replacing the pads anyways mix up a spray bottle of slippery dishwashing soap and water and soak down the caliper/rotor, gently moving the car back and forth to get it between the pad and rotor as your continue to spray. You might also open up the bleed nipples if you think there is brake pressure of any sort.

This method avoids jacking on plywood supported dirt and gravel as so many of our cars sit in over time - not fun! I would say though that removing the pads (2x pins & 1 distribution/squeal plate) is the next step.

Is there a story here? Can we hear and see it?

wrxnofx · wrxnofx's Garage

If the caliper is in fact seized, the easiest/quickest way I've seen to remedy this is to cut the rubber brake line to the caliper. This releases the pressure and should free up the caliper. Given how long it's been sitting outside, you'd probably want to replace the rubber lines with new ones anyway.

LUFTKUL · 08-08-2016, 07:32 AM

Success! I had to change the two dry rotted front tires out as they wouldn't hold air. Fortunately I had an extra set to show up with.

While I had the front wheels off I sprayed the calipers down with PB blaster. A few gentle tugs from my truck and with the third tug all 4 wheels started turning. I got lucky. No brake lines to cut and didn't have to remove the calipers. I will probably replace all the brake lines anyway.

She's rough, but great place to start.

Jdub · 08-08-2016, 08:27 AM

Hooray! Another Targa resurrection!

Looks like 7" on the front and like the headlights as well. An '82 with stainless finished Targa bar is different - I see most in black.

LUFTKUL · 08-08-2016, 09:10 AM

Those 7s are from my spare set of 15x7s. Car came with 16x7 rear and 16x6 front Fuchs. I think the Targa bar was originally all black but the sun has baked all the paint off. The paint on the rear deck and hood are almost completely gone.

Cool car. Bought from original owner. Hard to find that after 34 years. Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet. Probably just try and get it running for now. Interior is shot.