34 replies to this topic

[Rubbershorts]

As per the title. Just recently we have experienced two instances of scarey brake fade. Both on slow descents that started with decent brakes but became shockingly bad as they heated up. I changed to the pictured pads and brand new Mini spares discs about 6 months ago. This was to eliminate the squeaking I was getting, and they've been faultless until the recent fade. The fade is accompanied with a smell which you have to presume is the brakes cooking. I know it's been warm recently but can it contribute to the brakes heating up so much that they fade? If not, why are they getting so hot? And how do I stop this happening? Daz.

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Edited by Rubbershorts, Yesterday, 06:15 PM.

[cal844]

Bin them and fit mintex 1144

[imack]

I've never got on with EBC pads in cars or mountain bike disc brakes. Always horrendous fade for me. Wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. I like Mintex 1144's in the mini. Great performance, but lot's of brake dust if that sort of thing bothers you.

[Rubbershorts]

Thanks Cal. Don't they come with a not for road use warning?

[weef]

As an aside no matter what pad choice you make, if the brakes have been getting that hot I would recomend a complete fluid change.

[Rubbershorts]

As an aside no matter what pad choice you make, if the brakes have been getting that hot I would recomend a complete fluid change.

Is that because it may be contributing, or because it will be ruined because of the heat Weef?

[Rubbershorts]

I've never got on with EBC pads in cars or mountain bike disc brakes. Always horrendous fade for me. Wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. I like Mintex 1144's in the mini. Great performance, but lot's of brake dust if that sort of thing bothers you.

Are they quiet imack? As in don't squeal?

Edited by Rubbershorts, Yesterday, 06:43 PM.

[imack]

No squeal on my car

[weef]

Both really, the fluid being hydroscopic absorbs moisture so if the moisture content is too high the heat generated by braking can make the fluid "boil" thus giving the effect of brake fade, if the fluid was good and getting evcessively hot through braking it can absorb moisture when cooling down and its then a kind of vicious circle.

[Shooter63]

I totally agree with Weef here change your fluid, if you can find a set of NOS pads fit them, there is a company up north that specialises in NOS parts, if I can find there address I'll post it. I'm going to come on strong here, under no circumstances fit carbon pads if somebody comes on here and recommends them, they are total ******* on a road car, all proper race pads need heat in them to work which is no problem for race or rally but not on the road. Road pads must work instantly any time lag before the pads work is a big no no.
I like to use this as an analogy, let's say you are driving along and your child/grand child sees you and runs out in the road to wave at you, on road pads you stop, on race pads you hit them.

Shooter

[imack]

If the fluid boils you'll get a spongey pedal, this isn't the same as brake fade.
With brake fade (overheated pads/discs) the pedal remains hard, but the brakes don't want to slow the car down .however hard you press the pedal.
But, it's still a good idea to replace the fluid.

Edited by imack, Yesterday, 07:02 PM.

[mab01uk]

Out of interest any idea how steep the descents were (ie. any road warning signs with gradient in % or engage low gear signs, etc.) and the approx distance? 

 

I remember a few years ago while on a road trip to the French Pyrenees during the warm summer months and we had just descended some pretty steep inclines with many hairpin bends, down to a winter ski resort village in our modern family car (at the time a C-Class Mercedes) and on parking up noticed several of the recently parked cars (including ours) had smoke rising from the front wheels and a strong smell of very hot brakes was drifting across the car park. Thankfully no noticeable scary brake fade on the way down though! 

Edited by mab01uk, Yesterday, 07:38 PM.

[Rubbershorts]

If the fluid boils you'll get a spongey pedal, this isn't the same as brake fade.
With brake fade (overheated pads/discs) the pedal remains hard, but the brakes don't want to slow the car down .however hard you press the pedal.
But, it's still a good idea to replace the fluid.

Pedal stays hard, but yes brakes don't want to stop me. I'll change the fluid.

[Rubbershorts]

[quote name="mab01uk" post="3792222" timestamp="1755459335"]Out of interest any idea how steep the descents were (ie. any road warning signs with gradient in % or engage low gear signs, etc.) and the approx distance? 
 
I remember a few years ago while on a road trip to the French Pyrenees during the warm summer months and we had just descended some pretty steep inclines down to a winter ski resort village in our modern family car (at the time a C-Class Mercedes) and on parking up noticed several of the recently parked cars (including ours) had smoke rising from the front wheels and a strong smell of very hot brakes was drifting across the car park. Thankfully no noticeable scary brake fade on the way down though!  [/quote

Can't take the credit for this, the wife remembered, 12.5% and maybe 1/4 of a mile. Took it real easy as the first time it happened (last week) was fresh in my mind.

[Rubbershorts]

I totally agree with Weef here change your fluid, if you can find a set of NOS pads fit them, there is a company up north that specialises in NOS parts, if I can find there address I'll post it. I'm going to come on strong here, under no circumstances fit carbon pads if somebody comes on here and recommends them, they are total ******* on a road car, all proper race pads need heat in them to work which is no problem for race or rally but not on the road. Road pads must work instantly any time lag before the pads work is a big no no.
I like to use this as an analogy, let's say you are driving along and your child/grand child sees you and runs out in the road to wave at you, on road pads you stop, on race pads you hit them.

Shooter

Thanks Shooter. When you say NOS, what do you mean exactly?