During a long, somewhat spirited drive down a moutain today with 4 friends in the car, my brakes gradually decreased in efffectiveness until, at one point, I tried to stop at a stopsign with the pedal floored only to keep rolling. Needless to say, at that point, I suddenly knew the smell of burning brakes. I shifted into L and drove the rest of the way down the hill before driving at like 45 mph down a wide open street for a few minutes. I then pulled over and let everything cool off.
What I really want to know is if I damaged anything. The rotors don't seem to vibrate at all at speed, so I'm pretty sure they aren't warped. Anything else to look out for? The brakes work fine now.
Extreme Brake Fade
Started by 855T, May 14 2005 07:52 AM
4 replies to this topic
#1
855T
-
- Members
-
- 618 posts
Level 2 Member
Posted 14 May 2005 - 07:52 AM
2010 WRX (2.5k) - stock, until the warranty's gone
1995 855T (160k) - deer dents, various mechanical failures, voluminous trunk
#2
WhiteT5
-
- Members
-
- 4,828 posts
Sampson
Posted 14 May 2005 - 11:28 AM
It sounds to me as if your fluid started to boil thus causing loss of your brakes. If I were you, I would just flush your brake fluid and use Superblue fluid. I believe it has a higher wet and dry boiling point than some other competing fluids. Whatever you use, just make sure it's DOT 4+ or DOT 5.1, and NOT just plain DOT 5.
- Sean
-'95 850 T5 White/Tan (SOLD) // '92 244 5-spd White/Blue // '04 Saab 9-5 Aero Sportcombi 5-spd Navy/Black/Carbon
-'95 850 T5 White/Tan (SOLD) // '92 244 5-spd White/Blue // '04 Saab 9-5 Aero Sportcombi 5-spd Navy/Black/Carbon
#3
550
-
- Vendor
-
- 10,273 posts
someone please talk to me
Posted 14 May 2005 - 01:04 PM
855t yeah I get the same thing... fun times 
I am also replacing my stock brake lines with SS lines, I can let you know if that does much for my brake fade... I'm flushing the system as well going with ATE super blue or Motul.
I am also replacing my stock brake lines with SS lines, I can let you know if that does much for my brake fade... I'm flushing the system as well going with ATE super blue or Motul.
V.C.O.A. Midwest Chapter President.
Check out jjfab.net for your k24 flange needs!
1998 S70 now running a 2002 engine. Woo
Check out jjfab.net for your k24 flange needs!
1998 S70 now running a 2002 engine. Woo
#4
KLS
-
- Members
-
- 727 posts
Level 2 Member
Posted 14 May 2005 - 05:22 PM
If the brake fluid boils due to moisture in the fluid, the pedal will suddenly go to the floor from your foot pressure. It sounds like what you called it...brake fade from overheated brakes. You actually get the pad material so hot it melts and glazes over.
The brake fluid can be damaged by overheat...do get the brake fluid flushed and renewed with a DOT4+ or DOT5.1 (same thing) brake fluid. The ATE blue or amber fluids are some of the best, as is the Volvo fluid from the dealership.
I'd take a look at the brakes on all four wheels. If the pads show damage from the heat, renew them. If the rotors show damage, renew or resurface them. Rotors don't usually warp but do accumulate spots of brake pad material melted on to them. You usually can't see this but feel it through brake judder.
Ken
The brake fluid can be damaged by overheat...do get the brake fluid flushed and renewed with a DOT4+ or DOT5.1 (same thing) brake fluid. The ATE blue or amber fluids are some of the best, as is the Volvo fluid from the dealership.
I'd take a look at the brakes on all four wheels. If the pads show damage from the heat, renew them. If the rotors show damage, renew or resurface them. Rotors don't usually warp but do accumulate spots of brake pad material melted on to them. You usually can't see this but feel it through brake judder.
Ken
#5
prasamin
-
- Supporting Member
-
- 16,242 posts
Bipedal Magnaflux
Posted 14 May 2005 - 05:29 PM
if your brakes work fine now, i say your fluid boiled...do what Sean said and bleed and refill with 4+ or 5.1
