Brake fade

spurs · Mar 22, 2015

Hi all,

Need to pick your brains once again. On Saturday I was traveling along some country lanes which included some rather steep hills. On the dosnt of one of them I noticed the brakes had got the dreaded brake fade, now my question is. What caused this braked fad, could it be the fact that my discs look very smooth so no where to disperse the heat. Ifso how can I rough them up, or any other suggestions as to why this could of happened. Also what is a good make of pads?

Many thanks

Kyle

Disco 1 300tdi non abs

jamesmartin · Mar 22, 2015

dont rough up your discs

, might help changing the brake fluid and check all the pistons move freely ,there are many good branded pads most should work ok ,though there are plenty of ways of upgrading though a standard set up should be enough

spurs · Mar 22, 2015

Fluids are spot on no leaks.

markSX · Mar 22, 2015

spurs said:
Fluids are spot on no leaks.

But how old is it ?

spurs · Mar 22, 2015

Can't answer that as not long had this one.

discool · Mar 22, 2015

spurs said:
Can't answer that as not long had this one.

Then what's the colour does it look newish, if water is present in the brake fluid you are very likely to experience brake fade as the water heats up and boils.

So... replace the brake fluid, and if u dont know the age of the vehicles other fluids make a fresh start and replace them also.

biketeacherdave · Mar 22, 2015

for what they cost which is not alot replace your discs n pads. i expect if you inspect the pads they will show signs of cracking in the brake material a sure sigh of heat build up.

Animal88 · Mar 23, 2015

as above. brake fade is from overheating. generally the fluid boils due too age and it having sucked moisture in from the atmosphere. a change of fluid is a cheap and relatively easy job.
due to you having to ask I would guess that your knowledge of the braking system isn't that great so I would urge you to get a garage to do the job. where I used to work it was only about £30 for a fluid change.

If it doesn't start you don't have a problem, If it doesn't stop then you have a problem

spurs · Mar 23, 2015

Ok so fluids are being changed on Wednesday, but what I'd like to know is what caused the smell of the brakes etc?

mr glee · Mar 23, 2015

as james said also check all the wheels to make sure none of the pistons are sticking as this will cause the brake to bind and heat up the disc,pads and fluid.

spurs · Mar 23, 2015

Don't belive caliper a are sticking as since drove home which was a three hour trip but stopped regularly and there was no heat coming from the discs etc.
So if it was the fluid over heating why was I getting that God awful smell of brakes?

Kyle

Jaswilliams · Mar 24, 2015

Use your engine to break change down. Not the foot break all the time. You used them to much got them too hot and started to get hot smell burn

Bromsgrove Defender · Mar 24, 2015

spurs said:
Don't belive caliper a are sticking as since drove home which was a three hour trip but stopped regularly and there was no heat coming from the discs etc.
So if it was the fluid over heating why was I getting that God awful smell of brakes?

Kyle

How sure are you it's the brakes making "that God awful smell"?

Zuggy · Mar 24, 2015

I don't know if this is your problem but I had a sticking caliper due too the inside of the rubber brake hose had collapsed. The brakes worked fine but when the brakes were released one caliper remained on, only to come off slowly. Using the brakes a lot caused the sticking caliper to remain stuck on, hence overheating and smell. Its worth checking out.

jonathanp · Mar 24, 2015

Hi

I drive an automatic so use the brakes all the time, and they do not smell.
I have only had a bad smell once and that was when a caliper had stuck on. you could feel which one it was as the wheel centre was to hot to touch when compared to the other three. I just replaced it with a new one and all was well again.

Regards

Jonathan

19reef64 · Mar 25, 2015

As above, sticking caliper, hot wheel , no brakes, stink, replaced pipes callipers ,pads and fluid. Not worth messing about brakes too important. Disco was new to me so just speeded up what I always try and do when not sure what's been maintained properly.

Brake fade

spurs

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jamesmartin

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spurs

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markSX

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spurs

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discool

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biketeacherdave

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Animal88

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spurs

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mr glee

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spurs

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Jaswilliams

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Bromsgrove Defender

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Zuggy

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jonathanp

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19reef64

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