Scotty
My 2000 dodge ram 1500 2wd has very sensitive breaks first thing in the morning. They lock up the first time I step on the breaks at the corner of my house. After this they work properly. Is it time for new brakes or calipers?
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!
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They lock up the first time I step on the breaks at the corner of my house. After this they work properly.
A small amount of surface rust can build up rotors when a vehicle sits for a while, but not usually overnight. When you first apply your brakes after several mornings, it can feel like your brakes are 'stronger'. It feels this way because the brake pads are grabbing the rotor's surface better because it is, there's more friction until it's scrubbed off.
Wouldn't hurt to have your brakes checked though because every morning would be unusual.
but not usually overnight.
It definitely can! It depends on the conditions. (temperature, humidity, surface roughness, alloy composition ...)
Sometimes I've seen rust develop almost right before my eyes. Walk away for a little while, come back and there's already little orange spots. There's even a name for this. It's called "flash" rusting, and it happens in minutes. Machinists have to contend with this problem as well, with their high precision, freshly milled parts. Then need to be treated with oil right away, or even a light acid wash, and rinse, if they're going to be plated.
And yes I've seen it on brakes numerous times, overnight, and especially in underground lots. In the morning you get that subtle sandpaper/grinding sound as the surface layer of rust is shaved off. I bet if you look through the wheel spokes with a good flashlight, you'll see the bright orange film on the rotors.
Anyway, it's nothing to be concerned about. Just do a couple of hard brakes before you set out on the road and you'll be fine.
Kewl. Once drove a 84 Toyota SR5 pickup that did this daily for years. Was told I was nuts!