My daughter has a 1999 Clio RT 1149cc. It has developed a problem where the rear brakes stick on after it has been parked. I looked at the shoes and cylinders and the shoes were worn and a cylinder was weeping a little, so I replaced shoes and cylinders on both sides. The handbrake cables seemed to operating freely so a just gave them a squirt of WD40. However, when my daughter pulled away from home this morning all seemed fine until she appled the footbrake. The nearside rear wheel locked on and wouldn't release. She had only gone about 50 yards, so she turned around and came back. I went to investigate and the wheel freed. I tried it again by operating the handbrake and the wheel stuck again. I released it by knocking the brake drum with a hammer, but it seems as if every time the brake is applied this wheel sticks on. Is this a problem with Renaults, and if so can you please help me rectify it, as my daughter is very upset that her car is not well and she is frightened to drive it anywhere in case they stick on again.
Thanks in advance.
Steve.

Steve Warry, March 2009

Hi I have a Renault Kangoo Break 1.5dci 2004 in every other way this car is outstanding, but last winter here in Helsinki the right side rear brake would suddenly lock up and turn the car when breaking pretty scary nearly hit a bus.

Had it all taken apart and checked went through MOT OK was fine all summer/autumn then this winter started to sometimes make a grinding noise for a few miles rear right, kept driving and seemed when it heated up a little worked perfectly I have ignored it as handbrake holds perfect it is something to do with putting handbrake on to hard and very cold weather(Sometimes here -25c.

One friend who has had a couple of Renault said it seems like those cars need some long drives now and again using the brakes hard to keep the brakes from sticking.

In a couple months taking car to UK and getting my sisters boys to take all brakes apart they do stock car racing and one works as MOT inspector if they cannot solve it no one can. P.S. My first French car and I do like it. Tres bon :)

Peter Wilson, February 2013

happens on my 56 clio as well, started when parked over night in the winter and released when reversing, however it is getting worse and sticking more and more. going into a garage to see if it can be sorted.

geoff, May 2012

Renault brake pads are GLUED on - not riveted.
By failing to reverse it indicates that the pads are unstuck.
New pads required.
Reversing is like riding up a rock !
Hand brake can sometimes work - sometimes not - erratic.
It is illegal to drive without a serviceable handbrake.
Get towed to garage.

Gez, January 2012

Hello again,
i just found a load more information on this problem at: http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/vbb/showthread.php?t=277309

These people seem to know a lot about cars, and say that the brake has stuck to the drum and explain how you can fix it. Good luck

Jess, July 2009

Dear Steve, my 2000 T reg Renault Clio also does this - mostly when it is wet. I have had my neighbour kick it free, and once had the AA out. He used a hammer. My local Renault garage tell me that this is a recurrent problem with Clios of this age. Currently, i can't reverse the car at all.

Sorry that doesn't help much but i just thought it was so nice that you are sorting your daughter's car out for her. Hooray for dads.

Jess, July 2009