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YOUR RESEARCHBrake fade in rain
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pads not catching
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Reported cause · Original poster
Btw, I have winter tires and it wasn't an issue of tires not gripping, it was the pads not catching for the first second and a half.
Leading evidence: 'pads not catching' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'pads not catching' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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After pumping them for 30 seconds, I was back to normal.
While driving home last night in bad weather, rain, slush, snow all at once I noticed that the brakes would need a second or two to grip. At first I though I small amount of rust must have covered the rotor from having the car sit in the rain all day. While driving on the highway I had to hit the brake at some point and for a very long second not much happened. Finally the brake gripped properly when I pressured the pedal a lot more firmly than usuall. I'm telling you, your hearth beat shoot up on those occasions. Good thing I don't tail gate. It did that the whole way home forcing me to slow down considerably.
Is this normal ? All my other vehicule's brake do an awefull lot better in the cold rain. I can't say the fade is noticeable, even on my pickup truck. This is not the first time I notice such fad on my 996. It only happens in the cold, wet, humid weather. Could it be that the wet snow keeps the brake cold, could it be the water alone or could it be moisure in my brake fluid ??? Is this normal ?
Any one else noticed similar fades or should I take the car to the dealer ?
there could be several different issues. What type of tires (performance tires don't grip well under certain temps) and amount of tread, brake pads, brake fluid levels, road conditions (hydoplaning), temperature
Steve
Same thing happened to me last night....High performance street tires on sub 35 degree weather, cold tires and ABS was kicking in all over the place. Wasn't the brakes unable to perform, it is the tires...they are designed as warm weather performers.
dell,
just noticed your tar.. you not heading back to va this summer?
i'll be in vegas the weeknd of march 25 we should hook up for dinner or something..
We actually had going back to DC (the NOVA burbs) as our first choice but the opportunities avail to my wife (she's a physician) were MUCH better in Raleigh, NC where we decided on. Good news is that I still doing consulting work in McLean (Tyson's) for SAIC and will be in the area regulary (only a 4 hour drive to Raleigh). Besides, VIR is extremely close to Raleigh!!!!
Let me know when you are in town and we will defintely hook up! PM me offline and I will get you my cell number.
Dell - Where does your wife work? Is she in private practice? I ask because I am a Pharmaceutical Rep here in Vegas and know a good # of docs around town. Just curious; PM me her name if you are comfortable.
Have a good one!!!! I just signed up for the DE in Parumph, will be my first in the 996 and I cant wait!!!
Jeev
Until 31 May she is working for the Air Force at the Federal Hospital across from Nellis AFB. She is finishing up her post-residency 4-year committment to the AF b/c they paid for med school and residency. Let's just say that it is nice to not have med school loans and it is nice that she was paid as an officer during resideny (twice what the civilian residents were making) but working for the govt is NOT fun. Let's just say we are counting down the days till she gets out!
Btw, I have winter tires and it wasn't an issue of tires not gripping, it was the pads not catching for the first second and a half. Definitively a brake issue. I have many many miles of bad winter driving under my belt - heck I'm from Quebec. I'm just really surprise about the difference in the braking power between dry and wet useage. As I said, none of my other vehicule do that ????
Gotcha..... I don't call on the AF base but I know some docs who went that route, cant beat it especially when she hits private practice!!!
See ya @ the track.
Jeev
I live in Chicago and have the same symptoms in cold rain / snow. The same thing occured with my CLK55 in similar weather conditions. You are right though; even if it is "normal" and only for "a split second" it sure does get your heart going when you hit the brakes and nothing happens!
on my '03 C4S. Worst was when I drove away from a car wash about a month ago-literally had to stand on the brakes to stop the car. After pumping them for 30 seconds, I was back to normal. Never has happened on my other P cars or on this car. Definitely something to watch in real wet conditions.
It's not fade or rust. It is normal, though. Driving in the rain eventually gets rain in the brake pads. It takes a few seconds of braking to dry them out. I think MB even has some electronic nanny that engages/drags the brakes to dry out any rain. Like I said, this is perfectly normal. If you drive in the rain, you need to periodically do some light braking to keep the pads dry.
Also remember that if it has just started to rain after not having rained in a long time, then oil from the road that hasn't been washed away yet may have splashed up onto your rotors. It will certainly take a while for them to wear dry. This happened to me occasionally when I lived in Tampa and weeks would go without rain in the summer some years.
But, if you are still nervous, it never hurts to have your local indy check it out and see if you need any new parts or just a brake line bleed. Also, out of habit, periodically ride the brakes now and again during a rainstorm to ensure that they get nice and hot and dry. Remember, brakes are pretty damn important...they help you stop in a pinch. Well, duh.
