Worn Break Pad Warning
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: N. Potomac MD
Worn Break Pad Warning
I follow a link about breaks and at the end there was the following about topping off break fluid. It says not to because it will interfear with the worn break warning. Do our C5s have this?
In most modern passenger cars, the brake fluid reservoir is designed with a specific volume and is equipped with an internal float. The volume corresponds to the amount of fluid that will be displaced when the pads have worn to the point of replacement plus a generous reserve. When the replacement point is reached, the descending float completes an electrical circuit and a light appears on the dash warning the driver that the pads should be replaced.
If the brake fluid is topped up the first warning of warn out pads will be the screech of steel backing plate against iron disc. This will be both annoying and expensive.
What do we know about this? :skep:
In most modern passenger cars, the brake fluid reservoir is designed with a specific volume and is equipped with an internal float. The volume corresponds to the amount of fluid that will be displaced when the pads have worn to the point of replacement plus a generous reserve. When the replacement point is reached, the descending float completes an electrical circuit and a light appears on the dash warning the driver that the pads should be replaced.
If the brake fluid is topped up the first warning of warn out pads will be the screech of steel backing plate against iron disc. This will be both annoying and expensive.
What do we know about this? :skep:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: Worn Break Pad Warning (allanlaw)
No. There are little metal tabs on the pads that will contact the rotor when the pads are worn and make a squealing noise.
Robert
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 883
Likes: 3
From: wilmington DE
Re: Worn Break Pad Warning (Corvette00Car)
I read the same article & this makes sense to me. All pads have the steel strips as an audible warning, but the low brake fluid warning should be an early indicator of worn pads. This is contrary to conventional wisdom so you'll probably get lots of contrary opinions.
For those interested, here's the link to the article: http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/...otors_myth.htm
[Modified by stevenll, 6:29 AM 3/5/2004]
For those interested, here's the link to the article: http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/...otors_myth.htm
[Modified by stevenll, 6:29 AM 3/5/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Re: Worn Break Pad Warning (Corvette00Car)
When in doubt change the pads and brake fuild. Cheep insurance to make sure your brakes work.
Brake fluid ( DOT 3 & 4) absorbe water. In 18 mouths or 25,000 mile or normal street driving the brake fuild can absorb 2 or 3 % water. This translates into a 25% REDUCTION IN BRAKING POWER in only 18 months of normal driving.
People that race change their brake fluid before each event. Those of us who do High Perforamce Driving events, bleed our brake fluid before and after each event. Allso inspect rotors and pads when bleeding the brakes. Many of us change the brake pads from street pads to race pads before going onto the track.
Brake saftey is very important for all concerned. New street pads and a full brake flush once a year could save lives, no matter what the manuels say or how long you thing you can go. DOnt wait for the warning signs of brake fade or failure.
Good luck :cheers: Tom
Brake fluid ( DOT 3 & 4) absorbe water. In 18 mouths or 25,000 mile or normal street driving the brake fuild can absorb 2 or 3 % water. This translates into a 25% REDUCTION IN BRAKING POWER in only 18 months of normal driving.
People that race change their brake fluid before each event. Those of us who do High Perforamce Driving events, bleed our brake fluid before and after each event. Allso inspect rotors and pads when bleeding the brakes. Many of us change the brake pads from street pads to race pads before going onto the track.
Brake saftey is very important for all concerned. New street pads and a full brake flush once a year could save lives, no matter what the manuels say or how long you thing you can go. DOnt wait for the warning signs of brake fade or failure.
Good luck :cheers: Tom
