Brake fade/failure question.
#1
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Brake fade/failure question.
The car with the brake issue is a first gen race car running 23x9.5x15 slicks. The brakes are stock 12a, fairly new front rotors and Hawk Blues. Motul brake fluid, and about 95 degrees out.
I have run this car all year and have never had a brake issue before. Today I lost my brakes in 2 different sessions. The first time the brakes left they did so without warning. Pedal feel was fine until I went for the brakes at the end of a long straight and the pedal went to the floor. I was at a local track with long runoff areas so no big deal, just got a bunch of dirt/grass in the car. After cool down normal pedal feel returned, and we bled the brakes. Next time out same thing, again towards the end of the run session the pedal went to the floor, this time I noticed some loss in pedal feel before failure.
The question, is this just due to brake fluid boiling or should I suspect the brake master as well? I've never even had fade before with this car.
BTW: I'm going to do a full flush before my next event.
Any input is appreciated.
I have run this car all year and have never had a brake issue before. Today I lost my brakes in 2 different sessions. The first time the brakes left they did so without warning. Pedal feel was fine until I went for the brakes at the end of a long straight and the pedal went to the floor. I was at a local track with long runoff areas so no big deal, just got a bunch of dirt/grass in the car. After cool down normal pedal feel returned, and we bled the brakes. Next time out same thing, again towards the end of the run session the pedal went to the floor, this time I noticed some loss in pedal feel before failure.
The question, is this just due to brake fluid boiling or should I suspect the brake master as well? I've never even had fade before with this car.
BTW: I'm going to do a full flush before my next event.
Any input is appreciated.
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Bummer drag. If the brake pedal wouldn't pump up I'd say you're boiling the fluid. The fact that after cool down the pedal returned supports this. I'd examine your brake ducting. Otherwise you may be getting excessive piston retraction from warped rotors or loose wheel bearings. In any case you need to do an extensive check of all 4 corners. Make sure you don't have an axle walking out either. Oh, you didn't say if you have drums in the back. If you do it's also possible to pull air into the wheel cylinders if there aren't expanders inside the cups in the wheel cylinder.
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Originally Posted by RoadRaceJosh
Bummer drag. If the brake pedal wouldn't pump up I'd say you're boiling the fluid. The fact that after cool down the pedal returned supports this. I'd examine your brake ducting. Otherwise you may be getting excessive piston retraction from warped rotors or loose wheel bearings. In any case you need to do an extensive check of all 4 corners. Make sure you don't have an axle walking out either. Oh, you didn't say if you have drums in the back. If you do it's also possible to pull air into the wheel cylinders if there aren't expanders inside the cups in the wheel cylinder.
#5
Originally Posted by DamonB
Sounds like classic fluid boiling. When was the last time the fluid was replaced?
If it's been a year and you've been tracking the car definitely opt for a full rebleed.
You might be at the wet boiling point which is over 100 degrees difference from Motul's dry boiling point.
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Originally Posted by DamonB
Sounds like classic fluid boiling. When was the last time the fluid was replaced?
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