Wheels rusted stuck on daily driver..... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JDmills · #1 05-09-2006, 01:07 PM

I can not believe it!! My '84 300 TD has been down since the beginning of april, with a B2 repair. Partly because I had to go away for 2 weeks, and was not able to get the whole thing buttoned up, that it has been sitting for so long. Yet today it was ready to go, except that three of the four wheels wont turn. If it isnt one thing it is always something else... well at least no one will be able to steal it. I can imagine a rig rusting up if it sat in a field, or something, but this was sitting in the drive way on jack stands and the wheels on...

Kestas · #2 05-09-2006, 02:38 PM

This verifies what I always tell people about cars in storage... that the brakes are the first to suffer from non-use.

As far as the brakes are concerned, I see little difference between the car sitting in a field and sitting in the driveway on jack stands. Both leave the car outside in the elements. Being in a garage helps tremendously.

Your job now is to basically do a brake job, including turning the rotors.

mctwin2kman · #3 05-09-2006, 04:24 PM

Personally before doing all that work I would give them a good hit with a large rubber mallet to try and break the rust free. Do this with the wheels on and hit them every few inches all the way around. You may just break them free. Eventually though if you tried to drive it they would break free, but may flat spot a tire or too at first.

Hatterasguy · #4 05-09-2006, 05:42 PM

I'd put it on the ground put it in gear and hit the throttle. Its just a little surface rust on the rotors they will pop free. Just ride the brakes a bit and the pads will clean the discs right up.

Same thing happend with my SD because it was sitting out side for about 6 months. 2-3 days and the pads eat through the rust and the discs were nice and shiney again.

rchase · #5 05-10-2006, 01:42 AM

A friend of mine had this happen with a few cars in a storage warehouse. The solution is rather simple.

Slam the brakes HARD several times as this may put pressure on the system and break the pads loose from the rotors.

If that fails and if the car has nothing parked in front of it or behind it put it in gear and see if some engine muscle can help you. Be cautious when doing this because when and if the brakes loosen the car WILL lurch forward.

If the car does not have enough power to break free by itself you can pull the wheel and give the rotor an nice beating with a rubber hammer.

rchase · #6 05-10-2006, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Same thing happend with my SD because it was sitting out side for about 6 months. 2-3 days and the pads eat through the rust and the discs were nice and shiney again.

I agree a brake job unless the car needs it might be a waste of money.... A good few days driving will make the rust go away with no adverse effects..

Kestas · #7 05-10-2006, 08:24 AM

Experience tells me this can also happen to a clutch. Ideally a car should be stored with the clutch pedal pushed in.

JDmills · #8 05-10-2006, 09:52 AM

I guess I will have some other rotors turned and put them on the front, as they were stuck the worst... I pulled the car 20 feet before the front left broke free, and the front right had to be disassembled before it would turn. the front right rotor is actually pitted!! I doubt a lathe will be a able to save that one.

Kestas · #9 05-10-2006, 11:32 AM

That's been my experience. Exercising the brakes by driving will usually wipe away rust that develops on the rotor surface. When they're as bad as you described, there's just too much pulsation in the brakes. It's more like a pounding in the brakes.

Hatterasguy · #10 05-10-2006, 12:43 PM

My SD sat in a dry yard for 6 months with the wheels on. So the discs only had a bit of surface rust, they broke free soon as I brought the rpms up.

If they were really bad just replace the rotors. If you turn them you will probably be right at the min thickness.

Garage storage rules! The SDL has been sitting since Oct, and the discs are still shiney!