Almost all motorists understand the true value of a properly functioning braking system. However, few are as aware of this as those who have had to deal with brake failure of any kind during their daily travels.
We too often take the proper functioning of brakes for granted. After all, it seems natural for our vehicle to stop smoothly and concisely with little more than a second thought when we press the brake pedal.
However, brake-related issues do occur occasionally. Among these problems, unexpected brake lock-up can be particularly concerning. When a vehicle’s brakes suddenly lock and do not seem to release, a number of more serious issues can arise.
Read on to learn more about the causes of a vehicle’s brakes locking up while driving, as well as what can be done to address these issues.
What Does It Mean When Your Brakes “Lock Up”?
“Brake lock-up” can be most simply defined as any situation where a vehicle’s brakes are applied but do not release as expected. This is a serious situation in any case, but it can be particularly severe when it occurs while driving. In the worst cases, a wreck can result.
Contrary to popular belief, brake lock-up does not always mean that a vehicle’s brakes have remained engaged to the point of causing complete wheel lock-up.
By definition, the term brake lock-up can be used to describe any situation where a vehicle’s brakes do not return to their “resting” position following pedal actuation.
What Can Cause Brakes to Lock Up?
Although brake lock-up is far less common than it was in the days before the use of modern ABS brakes, such problems still occur occasionally. The vast majority of these issues are caused by severely worn or otherwise compromised braking system components.
Here are the most common causes of a vehicle’s brakes locking up while driving.
- Use of inappropriate brake fluid
- Overheated braking system components
- Damaged or excessively worn brake pads, calipers, and rotors
- Damaged or excessively worn brake drums, shoes, and wheel cylinders
- Seized/stuck brake caliper or wheel cylinder
What To Do When Your Brakes Lock Up While Driving
Brake lock-up while driving can be a distressing ordeal. However, there are several key steps to follow to prevent a bad situation from worsening. These steps are as follows.
#1 – Do Not Panic
The most important thing to remember during brake lock-up is that it is imperative not to panic.
Although this is certainly easier said than done, you also bear the responsibility of doing everything in your power to protect your passengers, as well as other motorists around you.
Panicking robs you of your ability to think through the additional steps to take.
#2 – Find a Place to Stop
The next point to consider involves locating a safe place to stop. Quickly analyze your surroundings to determine what is at your disposal.
Parking lots, wide driveways, or even an empty shoulder make suitable locations for this purpose.
#3 – Carefully Exit the Roadway
Once you have determined the point at which you intend to stop, exit the roadway as cautiously as possible. Although a bit difficult to do at the moment, take into account all the traffic around you.
If you must merge between lanes, signal if possible. Remember that poor decision-making at this stage can lead to a much more disastrous situation.
#4 – Come to a Stop, Set E-Brake if Necessary
After leaving the roadway, stop your vehicle as carefully as possible. If your vehicle seems to pull to one side or the other, setting your emergency brake may provide some level of stabilization.
However, it is important to remember that setting a vehicle’s emergency brake at high speed can present its own risks.
#5 – Have the Vehicle Towed For Repair
After experiencing brake lock-up, a vehicle should under no circumstances be driven until proper repairs have been made. A vehicle should be towed to its intended point of repair, even if that location is only a short distance away.
How to Fix Locked Up Brakes
Following a brake lock-up incident, it is imperative to determine the root cause of such a failure. This often comes down to performing a thorough visual inspection.
A vehicle’s front and rear brakes should be inspected for signs of irregular wear, as well as damage to components. Any anomalies discovered during this inspection must be repaired before putting the affected vehicle back into service.
In many cases, the faulty brake assembly can be identified by a burning smell, the presence of excess brake dust, or bluing of the corresponding brake rotor or drum of the assembly. If signs of this nature are discovered, all brake components at that wheel end should be replaced.
Additionally, one may also wish to replace the same components at the opposite wheel end of the same given axle. At the very least, brake pads on a single axle should always be replaced in pairs.
In extreme cases, overheating due to brake lock-up can actually compromise the wheel bearing of the affected wheel end. When this occurs, subsequent replacement becomes necessary.
Once all repairs have been made, an initial brake test should be conducted in an isolated location, such as a parking lot or driveway, whenever possible.
If everything seems to be in proper working order, a more thorough road test can be conducted on a nearby road. If, at any time, further issues become apparent, interrupt your road test for further assessment.
If, for any reason, you are unsure about your ability to repair your vehicle’s brakes following a lock-up, seek advice from a professional. There is no shame in asking for a second opinion or opting for professional repair.
After all, your life literally depends on the functionality of your vehicle’s braking system.