Miata Mailing List: October 1994, Message #75
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   From: HOBBS_JEANNIE/HP4200_42@opnmail4.corp.hp.com
Subject: Weird Brake Problem
   Date: Wed, 5 Oct 1994 12:33:15 -0400

Hey all,

Maybe the spectacular storm we had last night scared Wendy, because this
morning she didn't want to move!

She was parked nose-up in our driveway (about a 25 degree slant up to the
street) to keep water out of her nose.  I started her up, put her in first,
and released the handbrake and the clutch while accelerating to go out of
the driveway (and keep from rolling backward into my husband's SE-R!).
She didn't want to move!  There was an icky rubbing sound.  I immediately
re-set the brake, put her in neutral and let off the clutch.  Then I tried
again with the same result.

After sitting quietly (as quietly as possible with a 3-year-old saying Mommy?
Mommy?  Mommy?  Um...why aren't we going?  Mommy?  Mommy?) and thinking
about it, I decided from the rubbing sound that the brakes were the problem.
The transmission shifted about easily, the clutch felt the same, and the
engine sounded fine.

I worked the handbrake up and down a couple of times, and the second time
something went "clunk" near the right rear of the car.  The third time I
could clearly hear the brake releasing (not clunk, more squeak/rub).  I
was then able to get out of the driveway as usual.  Needless to say I was
very careful going down the street and tested the brakes (and handbrake)
several times.  The 30-mile trip to daycare and work was uneventful, and
when I looked at the brakes when I got to work everything looked normal.

Did the storm frighten Wendy?  Did the sudden deluge of rain after several
dry months cause this?  Maybe the lightning directly overhead?  Or the
flooded (3 inches) roads on the way home yesterday?

One thing I forgot to mention was that three hours after I got home from
work yesterday I moved Wendy to let my husband into the driveway, and the
brake worked just fine then.  It was just after sitting all night that
this problem occurred.

Any ideas?  Should I worry?

Jeannie

Jeannie Hobbs, '90 White A, BAMA       |   Git your hip boots out, chillun,
Hewlett-Packard Co., Santa Clara, CA   |   it's gonna be a long, wet winter
jeannie_hobbs@hp4200.desk.hp.com       |   here in North Californy!