Can I disconnect My Back Brakes?

**teikyo30** · 01-31-2011 06:31 AM

I have no idea if that's a stupid question or not, I'm a computer guy, not a car guy. When I was at Subaru recently they showed me my back brakes: almost gone. So now a few days later I notice that when I brake, sometimes from the right rear I hear what sounds like empty water jugs bouncing around. I can only assume it's my brakes.

I asked how my front brakes were and the guy said they're fine. I said I didn't notice any issue stopping and he said because the front brakes are doing all the work. I can't afford to do the brakes right now. Like I literally have $10 to my name. Can they be disconnected until I could fix them? What would happen if the rear brakes fail entirely?

I've heard a rumor that I have no idea if it's true or not that when brakes fail they clamp shut on the rotor locking the rotor and it can happen while driving. It sounds too stupid to be true, but like i said: I know computers, not cars.

**jd92677** · 01-31-2011 06:40 AM

You cannot safely "disconnect" you rear brakes. There are a few ways brakes can fail... they can leak fluid resulting in no braking power, the calipers can seize up (what you are referring to as clamping onto the rotor), and they can just wear until the pad surface is gone and you get metal on metal (which is most common). Saying the brakes are "almost gone" is relative, you could have months left with very little meat on the pads. What will most likely happen is option "3", the pads will wear out and you will have to replace the pads and rotors. I would suggest that you drive the car as little as possible until you can have it fixed, the longer you go, the more expensive it will cost to fix the problem.

***Trainrex*** · 01-31-2011 06:46 AM

Cut the rear metal lines. Fold them over and clamp one vice grip on each line.

Heck, brakes are only for emergencies anyway.

**irvin787878** · 01-31-2011 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by Trainrex

Cut the rear metal lines. Fold them over and clamp one vice grip on each line.

Heck, brakes are only for emergencies anyway.

i hope it works.

**zax** · 01-31-2011 07:04 AM

***Trainrex*** · 01-31-2011 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by irvin787878

i hope it works.

Oh, it works.....trust me!

**mudferret** · 01-31-2011 07:13 AM

The front brakes may do most of the braking, but if your rears didn't have any ability to brake you'd be spinning out a lot on already icy roads. It would get old after a while.

***Trainrex*** · 01-31-2011 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by mudferret

The front brakes may do most of the braking, but if your rears didn't have any ability to brake you'd be spinning out a lot on already icy roads. It would get old after a while.

Nope, he'd spin out less. When our circle track cars are loose, our driver dials out rear brake with the in car bias adjuster to combat the problem.

**teikyo30** · 01-31-2011 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by Trainrex

Cut the rear metal lines. Fold them over and clamp one vice grip on each line.

Heck, brakes are only for emergencies anyway.

Should I have prefaced my question with no stupid answers please? I mean I asked a genuine question and you gave that as a reply.

**mudferret** · 01-31-2011 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by Trainrex

Nope, he'd spin out less. When our circle track cars are loose, our driver dials out rear brake with the in car bias adjuster to combat the problem.

Hmm...I figured that the rear end would want to keep on going while the front slowed down?

**teikyo30** · 01-31-2011 07:19 AM

I haven't had any spinning out issues, and I do realize that stopping is probably the most important part of the car, I just had no idea it was this bad till the other day. This being my only car, and having limited funds, I have limited options. I use the car for work, so not driving it isn't an option. However, if it can last till next Monday I can do the rear brakes then.