I have had 8 Fords over the years, since 1989. 1 Cortina, 4 Orion's, 1 Escort, and 2 Focuses.

Yesterday, for the first time ever, while trying to drive away, my brakes were making a high pitched squealing noise.

It was -2 the previous night. I googled it, and it said to rock the car forwards and backwards until the brakes free.

It took around 15 minutes, all while the engine was running.

The same thing happened this morning. It was -5 last night, and it took around 10 minutes for the noise to stop.

Does anyone know why this is happening please?  Is it just the cold weather?

It's never ever happened before in over 30 years of driving.

Combination of cold and damp in the drum brakes.  If it's squealing then the brakes aren't fully seized, just drive it and the noise will clear within a few yards.

Thanks Tom.   👍

I was worried if I drove away I may damage something.

11 minutes ago, Bomb Jack said:

I was worried if I drove away I may damage something.

It does put more strain through the suspension, so if anything is on it's last legs, that can finish it off.  But rocking it on the clutch for 10+ minutes won't be doing the clutch any favours either.

You can try to clean the inside of the drums a bit by gently pulling the handbrake on while driving in bursts of about 10 seconds at a time for 2 or 3 times.  Or you can ask a garage to remove the drums for a proper clean.

Maybe the term rocking the clutch wasn't correct term to use? I just went by what google called it.

I simply drove slowly forward 12/18 inches, then back again.

Is that still classed as rocking the clutch?

I'll try cleaning them myself using the handbrake trick, then get them cleaned properly on my next service.

Thanks for your help TomsFocus. 

If you are not parked on a slope leave the car in gear and the handbreak off or not pulled up to max.

Try pouring boiling water from a kettle over the brake drum.

It used to  work for me in my old Mk 1 many years ago, they were not just squeaking but locked on.

It's not really a long term fix though and may just add to any moisture already present inside the brake drum.

ScaniaPBman.