Brake Fade

[Shiftn4Dubs]

What is the best way to eliminate Brake Fade? I would hate to flush out the complete brake system, if it has water in it. I am replacing the calipers (Front) this weekend. Hopefully the Caliper Piston/Cylinder is just frozen.

Last time I drove it, it was smoking so bad, it was so hot that I saw ambers falling off the brake pad.

[lotar_6]

Brake fluid should be flushed every 2 years at least. If you are replacing calipers, you are half way there, so go ahead and get it all done. Don't half a$$ it! If your front brakes are getting that hot, I'd say your rear calipers are the ones needing replacing or attention. If they were working correctly, some of the load would be taken and the fronts wouldn't have to work so hard. If I were you, I'd really look into the proper function of the rear brakes. A lot can be told by just examining the rear rotors. If they are rusted and uneven on the face of the rotor, you most likely have caliper issues. Take the time to do it right... your life is the brakes!

Also, the best way to eliminate brake fade on a properly functioning system is to go bigger! Most brake fade is attributable to heat. The larger the surface of the rotor (as well as its thickness) the better the rotor can disperse heat. Brake ducts can also help, but really only if you are racing on a track.

GL!

[gtiness]

Brake fade during day-to-day or even spirited driving would tell me that something beyond the scope of routine maintenance is wrong (aka, flushing fluid isn't likely to fix it). A stuck caliper is a good place to start looking for sure.

Until you get things sorted you'll want to be careful not to cause further damage by say, warping a rotor.

[Shiftn4Dubs]

Yeah it was a stuck caliper, got a set from KinkBMX today and the fade is gone, just need to bleed them more, gushy pedal.

[veedubboostn]

Yeah it was a stuck caliper, got a set from KinkBMX today and the fade is gone, just need to bleed them more, gushy pedal.


I know people will disagree W/me on this, but if you let it sit, it will bleed itself...

trust me, I did it years ago on a 89 GTI I had.... I bought it off my roommate, and he just replaced the rear wheel cylinders on it and broke the bleeders right off a few weeks before I bought it, so it sat for a few weeks..., then I bought it and drove it away, W/no brake issues... but just a thought.... and I know its not the right way, but should work.

-Jay