C4 braking problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 14
From: Averill Park New York
C4 braking problem
I'm a member of the C6 forum and have friend who asked me to see if I can find out about his braking problem with his C4. The following is his problem.
Jim, was wondering if you could ask if anyone ever had an issue with their Vette where the brakes failed but, when it was checked by a mechanic, he said there was no problem. We were driving in the mountains around West Point and, when we were off the mountain, on a straightaway (thank God!), we had no brakes. They came back for the ride home but it was scary. Had it checked out by our trusted mechanic who said everything looked fine and couldn't figure out what may have happened. Wondering if they heated up while we were coming down the mountain??? This happened late last fall .
Jim, was wondering if you could ask if anyone ever had an issue with their Vette where the brakes failed but, when it was checked by a mechanic, he said there was no problem. We were driving in the mountains around West Point and, when we were off the mountain, on a straightaway (thank God!), we had no brakes. They came back for the ride home but it was scary. Had it checked out by our trusted mechanic who said everything looked fine and couldn't figure out what may have happened. Wondering if they heated up while we were coming down the mountain??? This happened late last fall .
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
Thats scary. That is no place you want to lose your brakes! You are going to have to give the symptoms to help people diagnose. I hate my C4 brakes. Never failed but not that great. I was really disappointed in them when I bought the car.
Last edited by Dt86; Jun 5, 2014 at 03:19 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 278
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
I'm a member of the C6 forum and have friend who asked me to see if I can find out about his braking problem with his C4. The following is his problem.
Jim, was wondering if you could ask if anyone ever had an issue with their Vette where the brakes failed but, when it was checked by a mechanic, he said there was no problem. We were driving in the mountains around West Point and, when we were off the mountain, on a straightaway (thank God!), we had no brakes. They came back for the ride home but it was scary. Had it checked out by our trusted mechanic who said everything looked fine and couldn't figure out what may have happened. Wondering if they heated up while we were coming down the mountain??? This happened late last fall .
Jim, was wondering if you could ask if anyone ever had an issue with their Vette where the brakes failed but, when it was checked by a mechanic, he said there was no problem. We were driving in the mountains around West Point and, when we were off the mountain, on a straightaway (thank God!), we had no brakes. They came back for the ride home but it was scary. Had it checked out by our trusted mechanic who said everything looked fine and couldn't figure out what may have happened. Wondering if they heated up while we were coming down the mountain??? This happened late last fall .
there are the 84-87 with single piston front callipers.
The 88-96 have the dual piston front callipers and have the J55 option with 13 inch discs.
A well maintained C4 corvette with brake fluid changed regularly will have no problems, brake fluid absorbs moistuire and that will lower the biling point of the brake fluid it also causes corrosion.
Changing the brake fluid at least every two years is a must for reliable brakes.
Even the early single piston callipers can do many laps on a track (with high friction hawk pads) we tend to fatigue before the brakes do.
replace the brake fluid with a dot 4 type, do not use silicon fluid with ABS brakes and you should be fine, check the disc's are not worn also.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
If the brake fluid has absorbed a lot of moisture the water can boil (LONG before the brake fluid). When it cools off everything will appear normal.
It's also possible for the brake fluid itself to boil. Same thing -- it's OK when it cools off.
It's also possible for the brake fluid itself to boil. Same thing -- it's OK when it cools off.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
Flush fluid and put some DOT 4 in. Than check your pads as he may have got them hot enough where they are glazed and need to be sanded down or replaced.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: kennesaw ga.
Brake pads overheated will fade and will not stop the car. Comes from riding the brakes on the way down.Once they cool off they are OK. Happened to me after coming down a mountain Once. Best to down shift and modulate the brake pedal.
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