brakes
brakes
I was running my car pretty hard for 4 or 5 miles on the interstate (having fun vs a supra) a few days ago and was going 100+ most of the time. By the time I got on the off-ramp I was going 70 or 80 and I had a really hard time coming to a stop by the end of it. My brakes were acting like they were worn down to shreds. After a few more miles of normal driving though, they were back to normal. I was just wondering, did my stock brakes overheat or something? Is this normal?
Last edited by WangMan; Mar 15, 2006 at 08:21 AM.
Was it wet? If so, the pads got soaked and the heat dried them out and made them function again.
Are they stock or aftermarket? Either way, pads tend to work a little better once they are warmed up, just like tires. But they can also overheat, just like tires. Aftermarket/performance pads require significantly more heat to operate at maximum potential, but are much harder to overheat.
Not that it makes a TON of difference, but this may have been more appropriate to post in one of the US Lancer forums.
Are they stock or aftermarket? Either way, pads tend to work a little better once they are warmed up, just like tires. But they can also overheat, just like tires. Aftermarket/performance pads require significantly more heat to operate at maximum potential, but are much harder to overheat.
Not that it makes a TON of difference, but this may have been more appropriate to post in one of the US Lancer forums.
I would've posted in the US Lancer forums, but I figured this was such a nubish question it belonged here. Yes, I have stock breaks and no, it was not wet out. Soo, I guess that means they overheated. Thanks for the input.
Ah ok, when you said you were playing on the highway, I just assumed you were doing acceleration runs but not much braking...which made me think that maybe your brakes were cold. But I guess you're saying you were using your brakes while playing, and they faded. Yeah, sounds like overheating. If it continues to be a problem, make sure it's the pads, (if the fluid is overheating/boiling, the pedal will go soft due to all of the air in the lines. Overheated pads leave the pedal firm, they just don't slow you down) you might look into getting higher performance brake pads. It brings on a whole new set of conditions you'll have to deal with, like warming them up, and squealing, but overall they are safer.
the brakes faded. basically the pads dont grip anymore to the rotor when they get really hot. also, your brake fluid was probably boiling at that point.
most of the time, no damage happens. but sometimes, you can warp the rotors like that.
most of the time, no damage happens. but sometimes, you can warp the rotors like that.
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I think we need more information: During your spirited highway run, were you using the brakes much? If so, then yes, I agree with the fade theory. If no, then I still say they were cold.
I used them scarcely to slow down through heavy traffic but i didn't push them hard till the off ramp. When I pressed the brakes then my pedal felt real soft and for a second i didn't even think i would be able to stop in time. Thank goodness there were no cars in front of me.
Last edited by WangMan; Mar 15, 2006 at 10:09 PM.
Originally Posted by Killboy
Sounds like you boiled the fluid. Might want to get some fresh fluid in there.
It just makes no sense that his brakes would overheat, the fluid boil or the brakes fade, when his first hard application was on the off-ramp, even if one were to assume the fluid was old and waterlogged, as to which there's no evidence here.
I say again, those suckers were stone cold from all that air rushing over them, and it took a second for them to heat up and bite. That's the only logical explanation that I can see.
Just to get things straight, I'm driving an 02 OZ Rally, not an Evo.
It was a chilly day, I believe the brakes could have been cold from the air rushing over them for that long. At least that's what I hope happened
It was a chilly day, I believe the brakes could have been cold from the air rushing over them for that long. At least that's what I hope happened
Originally Posted by Rod Munch
How could he have boiled the fluid by using them lightly in traffic, then once hard on an off-ramp? I have gone through entire track days (in my RX-8) at Laguna Seca, cycling the brakes again and again through some very hard deceleration, without boiling the fluid, and the Evo brakes are at least as good.
It just makes no sense that his brakes would overheat, the fluid boil or the brakes fade, when his first hard application was on the off-ramp, even if one were to assume the fluid was old and waterlogged, as to which there's no evidence here.
I say again, those suckers were stone cold from all that air rushing over them, and it took a second for them to heat up and bite. That's the only logical explanation that I can see.
It just makes no sense that his brakes would overheat, the fluid boil or the brakes fade, when his first hard application was on the off-ramp, even if one were to assume the fluid was old and waterlogged, as to which there's no evidence here.
I say again, those suckers were stone cold from all that air rushing over them, and it took a second for them to heat up and bite. That's the only logical explanation that I can see.
He said he used the brakes lightly, which is subjective. (not an Evo)
He said his brake pedal felt "soft", which is not a symptom of cold brakes, or hot brakes.
That is a symptom of boiling brake fluid.