Brake fade?????
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 0
From: Norwich NY
Brake fade?????
We are working on my buddies 70 Vette. The brakes start fading after being driven for a while. Since the brakes were old, we did a brake job swapping out the rotors and pads. The brakes worked great but the fading returned..
We decided to replace the master cylinder.. Brakes worked great for a time and then started the fade again..
All thats left is the calipers.. I don't see how they could cause the fade.. I see nothing leaking..
Could they??
Thanks in advance for your help..
We decided to replace the master cylinder.. Brakes worked great for a time and then started the fade again..
All thats left is the calipers.. I don't see how they could cause the fade.. I see nothing leaking..
Could they??
Thanks in advance for your help..
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton Ontario
Most likely bad calipers, if they are still the originals. They were crappy from day one. You may have noticed how easily the pistons compressed when you did the brake job. New calipers will solve the problem. Cheers
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
What does 'fade' mean?
To me it means the pedal is nice and hard but they don't grab.
That would mean that the pads are too hot.
Pumping air would mean the pedal starts out hard but the more you drive it the softer they get.
But I wonder if you mean the pedal slowly drops to the floor if you keep steady pressure on it?
That would mean a leaky Master clyinder
To me it means the pedal is nice and hard but they don't grab.
That would mean that the pads are too hot.
Pumping air would mean the pedal starts out hard but the more you drive it the softer they get.
But I wonder if you mean the pedal slowly drops to the floor if you keep steady pressure on it?
That would mean a leaky Master clyinder
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Cruising
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
If you have power brakes, don't forget to check the vacuum booster. Mine had a leak and applied the brakes without me touching the pedal. It wasn't noticeable enough to detect while driving (I only drove 2 miles in city traffic) and I didn't discover it until I started the car from the outside and saw the brake pedal move downward on it's own!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Being familiar with this scenario let me add a little info:
Rotors are brand new
Master Cylinder is brand new
Entire system was flushed and new fluid added
Rotors were original and were rusted up bad. Replaced with 4 new ones.
Master Cylinder did leak from the back of it. This was replaced and the new M/C was bench bled before installation. Fluid level has maintained a full level throughout.
Brakes work great for a couple of days then the peddle begins to go to the floor. There are no signs of leaking as far as fluid running down the tires or anything but one or more calipers could have slight weeping. This will be checked.
I'm guessing that on closer inspection one or more of the calipers are sucking in air.
Rotors are brand new
Master Cylinder is brand new
Entire system was flushed and new fluid added
Rotors were original and were rusted up bad. Replaced with 4 new ones.
Master Cylinder did leak from the back of it. This was replaced and the new M/C was bench bled before installation. Fluid level has maintained a full level throughout.
Brakes work great for a couple of days then the peddle begins to go to the floor. There are no signs of leaking as far as fluid running down the tires or anything but one or more calipers could have slight weeping. This will be checked.
I'm guessing that on closer inspection one or more of the calipers are sucking in air.