WTH is this? Can brake "freeze"?

[Anonymous]

So I was coming out of parking lot yesterday after work. It was cold and car was sitting there all day. As I was getting close to the stop sign, i stepped on the brake and it was hard as rock. It wouldn't go down much. I pressed down real hard, and then it finally went down (like air was released). After that it worked normal driving home. WTH happened? Brake line wouldn't freeze right? I mean it was cold but not "that" cold. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

If moisture has gotten into your brake line, then there could be some freezing which would affect the brake line hydraulics. Brake line fluid itself doesn't freeze until -40F.

Air in the brake line usually lets you push your foot all the way to floor or feels very mushy. Your case sounds like the opposite.

I'm going with moisture (water) in the brake line.

[Anonymous]

Could be a little water inthe line or some grease froze. When was the last time you have the brake fluid changed?

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys. Yeah, def opposite of air-in-the-line feel. I thought about water getting in the line but not sure how that can happen. I can't recall the last time I changed brake fluid, but I am pretty good with regular maintenance and, also, my mechanic is pretty good at checking stuff every time I take it in for an oil change. I don't see any oil drops on my driveway either. Weird.

[Anonymous]

Volvo??

[Anonymous]

I would be taking that car to the dealer asap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Volvo??

No Honda Accord. It's been a trouble-free car.

[Anonymous]

Warm if up for 10 minutes before driving.
If it is a Ford, sell it as soon as you can.

[Anonymous]

It needs to go to the mechanic asap. Brakes do fail and its scary as you cant easily stop the car beyond putting it in park or emergency break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks guys. Yeah, def opposite of air-in-the-line feel. I thought about water getting in the line but not sure how that can happen. I can't recall the last time I changed brake fluid, but I am pretty good with regular maintenance and, also, my mechanic is pretty good at checking stuff every time I take it in for an oil change. I don't see any oil drops on my driveway either. Weird.

I'll stick with the water or grease that got too cold. No matter how careful you are, condensation occurs and water will get in the system collects around a piston or caliper. Probably no big deal. FLush the syatem

[Anonymous]

Could be a caliper issue.

[Anonymous]

Grease doesn’t “freeze”. Water/moisture freezes.

You have moisture in your brake system. Get a fluid flush and replace your brake fluid reservoir cap. Brake fluid is anhydrous and hygroscopic and will pull water vapor from the air if it can. If your cap seal is faulty it will suck water out of the air and contaminate the brake fluid.

[Anonymous]

You experienced an issue with brakes and the next stop wasn’t at a trustworthy/reputable mechanic?

[Anonymous]

I had that happen once in an old car of mine. Totally scary and crazy. I immediately got it looked at and they couldn’t find an issue. It never happened again either. I clicked this thread hoping someone would have an explanation!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had that happen once in an old car of mine. Totally scary and crazy. I immediately got it looked at and they couldn’t find an issue. It never happened again either. I clicked this thread hoping someone would have an explanation!

I took it in last Thursday but my mechanic hasn’t called me back yet. I suspect he is still waiting for parts to arrive. I will report back when I get it back.

-op