Car feels odd, handbrake?

[Kram]

Went for a short drive yesterday, I was nearly out of petrol so stopped for some on the way home. I'll admit engine felt different - must check the oil but it had plenty a few days ago. Seemed hesistant, perhaps there was some water in the tank.
Lightly raining on way home.

Driving smoothly and gentle acceleration on a roundabout, I felt the rear slide out, which was not corrected by throttle and steering. At which point it was loosing control, I braked and came to a stop pointing slightly the wrong way!

Very odd for a fwd car under acceleration!

I am wondering if the handbrake is sticking on could cause this? Disc brakes all round.

Im aware the rear right tyre is slightly low due to slow puncture and will be pumped up as soon as this rain stops and before next driven.

 

[waddycall]

What happens if you put the clutch in at speed and freewheel? Easy test

 

[Eric the chicken]

As it was on a roundabout could it have been a diesel spill?

 

[Kram]

It was lightly raining and could have lifted whatever grease out of the tarmac to the surface but there was nothing visible, that would have affected the front wheels too..?

 

[bricol]

Which way was the rear stepping out?

 

[voipio]

Happened to me once, on a slight curve approaching a roundabout. The car stopped responding to steering or braking and I ended up kerbing the front wheel, and busting a wishbone. No clunks or other sounds of anything breaking before loss of control. It happened just after passing a big lorry depot, so spilt diesel was the likely culprit, because I could smell it, plus it felt slippery underfoot, between the two lanes (dual carriageway), and I had crossed the lanes to turn right at the roundabout.

Kram, has your car recently been kerbed on a corner, sufficient to put the tracking (front or rear) out?

 

[Kram]

I should say I was going straight over, it was a wide and clear, 40mph limit DC roundabout. I was originally in the left lane but the car infront slowed to a stop on entry (big gap) so I straight lined to the RH lane, passing the other car. The incident occured approaching the exit and I stopped on the exit just as they passed me

Which way was the rear stepping out?

Rear was stepping left, exactly as it would want to if I had braked.

 

[Redsailor]

Although the main rear brake is disc the handbrake usually operates a drum brake which forms part of the disc. Fault may be caused by a sticking or seized self adjuster on this. Is it one side or both wheels dragging?

 

[ukracer]

Is it electronic or lever hand brake?

 

[Kram]

Lever. I need to take it to tyre shop anyway I will get them to check it.

 

[Greeves246]

Drive it for a mile or so without braking, stop gently and feel each wheel in turn. Any wheel with a sticking brake will be much hotter.

 

[premmington]

Drive it for a mile or so without braking, stop gently and feel each wheel in turn. Any wheel with a sticking brake will be much hotter.

+1 for the above.

Acid test - any wheel with a binding brake will be warmer.

 

[sg66]

I doubt sticking brake would cause loss of control at roundabout.

 

[Gavlar]

Is your 'slightly low' tyre a bit lower than you thought?

 

[bricol]

Rear was stepping left, exactly as it would want to if I had braked.

So unlikely to be anything to do with the low rear right tyre.

I'd suggest simply a slippery road and excessive speed for the grip available.

Been there, done that - a roundabout on my commute is a slippery in part of one lane right where you exit for the next bit of dual carriageway - the Lancia ignores it, the Alfa understeers (also 4WD, but a bigger car than the Lancia), the Caterham feels light but unless I'm silly, doesn't do anything, my old Pug 106 requires considerable opposite lock as the back goes, and the Dodge . . . well, the tyres on the Dodge prevent me commiting to anything in the wet as it's pot luck which end will go first. but as I'm aware its like it every time it's wet, I slow to a more suitable speed before any of those happen.

If someone comes tanking past me, then I hang back to watch for the confused stability control to cause the vehicle to rock all over the place as computers try to rein it in, or the brake lights come on making whatever out of control dance the car is doing even worse

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Although the main rear brake is disc the handbrake usually operates a drum brake which forms part of the disc. Fault may be caused by a sticking or seized self adjuster on this. Is it one side or both wheels dragging?

Whilst some cars are as you describe (old Volvo 240 / 740 for example) most modern cars tend to have a caliper that acts as the main brake as well as handbrake on the rear disc.

 

[bricol]

Whilst some cars are as you describe (old Volvo 240 / 740 for example) most modern cars tend to have a caliper that acts as the main brake as well as handbrake on the rear disc.

My modern 1977 Lancia Beta was as you describe

 

[Kram]

Whilst some cars are as you describe (old Volvo 240 / 740 for example) most modern cars tend to have a caliper that acts as the main brake as well as handbrake on the rear disc.

I am not sure how the handbrake works on mine, without taking the wheel off it looks like a normal caliper, but I believe handbrake is cable operated? Does it have an extra cable operated piston?

So unlikely to be anything to do with the low rear right tyre.

I'd suggest simply a slippery road and excessive speed for the grip available.

Well I checked them today, right rear was about 18psi, left rear was normal. However left rear was the tyre giving me a slow puncture so the new one is sitting in garage so the currently fitted tyre is an old cracked 2015 thing. I will attempt to get the new tyre swapped back asap.

I didnt want to annoy tyre garage so when I went back with slow puncture, intending to clean corrosion and spray the wheel, I asked just for it to be removed for the spare. I have a decent bead breaker. I did not realise how difficult it would be to get the bead over the rim on a car tyre. Its not like its a fancy lo profile sports tyre...

 

[knighty]

I doubt sticking brake would cause loss of control at roundabout.

that's exactly how hand brake turns work?

 

[sg66]

that's exactly how hand brake turns work?

Yes when you put enough power in to it, turn and flick it and yank the handbrake on, not when you approach a roundabout normally with a dragging brake.