brakes freezing to discs,

try to post this in common issues, but not grown up enough so not enough privileges,
Had a couple of days of -25c temperature and had to take the Freelander into some deep snow to get some hay out of a barn, no problem with the brakes. Temperature rises to a barmy -5 to -9c ish went to drive the lady to a different spot so I could move some snow, felt it grab as I pulled away and suddenly no brakes, stopped (eventually) and looked at disks/ wheels and noticed what looked like a thin skin of disk pad on the disks. Drove it up and down the lane pumping the brake and they cleared, drove to a church I pastor 160 k away this evening no problems. Just wondered if anyone else has had similar problems. Is it lousy disk pads or something else.

That's horribly cold. Horribly hot here atm, in the low 30's.

The drums are very susceptible to locking up if they get wet then dry (ie after launching my boat), and the snow could have entered the drums.

For the fronts to do that is rather alarming. Suprised you ventured out on a 160km journey after having that happen!

GrumpyGel said:

Horribly hot here atm, in the low 30's.

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Git!

Pads freezing to discs and breaking off

That sounds like a freak occurrence, rather than a common issue. Better quality pads? Or ask your parts dealer about special low-temp duty ones? You’ll get them in Sweden, if anywhere.

Surely this is something that affects most if not all cars over there in those conditions?

goonarmy said:

Surely this is something that affects most if not all cars over there in those conditions?

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Yes it can. Discs that are used in extreme cold, where warming and cooling cycles take place, can get ice forming on the disc. This is a problem when driving through snow, or park up with heavy snow falling. Once ice has formed, it reduces friction and brake performance massively. To avoid such things, the discs need to be kept hot by occasional application and try to avoid parking where snow can melt on warm discs.

What do the locals do?

goonarmy said:

What do the locals do?

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drive to a church pastor 160 k away
Sorry could not resist that ......i will get my coat now

^
Would deicer be ok on the discs?

goonarmy said:

^
Would deicer be ok on the discs?

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Yes. As soon as the discs heat up, the de-icer will evaporate off.

goonarmy said:

Surely this is something that affects most if not all cars over there in those conditions?

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never had it happen to me before and been driving over here for the past 25 yrs

Nodge68 said:

Yes it can. Discs that are used in extreme cold, where warming and cooling cycles take place, can get ice forming on the disc. This is a problem when driving through snow, or park up with heavy snow falling. Once ice has formed, it reduces friction and brake performance massively. To avoid such things, the discs need to be kept hot by occasional application and try to avoid parking where snow can melt on warm discs.

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yep that makes sense, thanks, just have to remember to dry off the brakes next time I drive through loose snow.

Snaggapuss said:

never had it happen to me before and been driving over here for the past 25 yrs

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but there again not had a car before that would easily drive through snow 30-40 cm deep. Tell a lie the disco would just never did.

Wouldn’t be anything to do with the brake fluid would it?

AdamD1 said:

Wouldn’t be anything to do with the brake fluid would it?

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No. Brake fluid is happy well below-40°C. The OP's problem was a purely mechanical problem where the brakes weren't hot enough to dry off. This caused the moisture to freeze on the disc surface, turning it into an ice rink. It can happen, although not often in the UK.

Interesting story and probable reason

Nodge68 said:

No. Brake fluid is happy well below-40°C. The OP's problem was a purely mechanical problem where the brakes weren't hot enough to dry off. This caused the moisture to freeze on the disc surface, turning it into an ice rink. It can happen, although not often in the UK.

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Thanks for the education!