Suspension, Handling, and Brakes Talk about Struts/springs, coilovers, anti-swaybars, strut bars, steering, Pads, fluid, lines, rotors, calipers, boosters, and anything that is brake and suspension related.

brake fade

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Old 02-22-2004 | 12:45 PM
  #2  
ish's Avatar
ish
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From: Oakland, CA
Car Info: 2009 wrx & 2000 4runner
if the car shakes only under braking then i would guess your rotors are warped, then you would have to replce the rotors
Old 01-23-2008 | 03:48 PM
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From: Sonora, CA
Car Info: 2001 Impreza RS
I too have experienced brake fade on my 01 RS. I have to really be pushing it downhill to make it happen. It is usually caused by the fumes from the boiling brake pads. It creates a layer of hot gasses between your pads and rotors, so you cannot clamp down good. The solution is to get slotted or cross drilled rotors that let the gasses escape.

Beware of the cross drilled rotors if you are racing in places with stream crossings, however, as they tend to develop stress cracks around the holes. I had not thought about the possibility of warping the rotors doing that, as YaZahX mentioned, but that sounds logical.

Ish is right about your rotors being warped, so now is the time to upgrade to slotted and/or cross drilled rotors. They aren't that much more expensive than the stockers. The down side is that they will eat your brake pads a little faster. I suppose replacing the pads every year or two is cheaper than replacing your car after loosing your brakes! Good luck jonjoe
Old 01-23-2008 | 08:02 PM
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^^^ hmmm .... right .... the fluid boils not your brake pads.....
Old 02-01-2008 | 11:50 AM
  #6  
herb's Avatar
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From: Sonora, CA
Car Info: 2001 Impreza RS
I am not an expert by any means, but I always thought it was the surface of the brake pad that outgassed (boiled). Isn't this why slotted rotors help, by letting the gasses out? Maybe I'm thinking of it all wrong?

If your brake calipers got too hot, you may also be able to boil the brake fluid. This would also reduce braking ability, because of the compressable bubbles in the fluid. I would think the pedal would get soft in this case.
Old 02-13-2008 | 03:46 PM
  #7  
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From: Tampa, FL
Car Info: 06 STI
Originally Posted by herb
I am not an expert by any means, but I always thought it was the surface of the brake pad that outgassed (boiled). Isn't this why slotted rotors help, by letting the gasses out? Maybe I'm thinking of it all wrong?

If your brake calipers got too hot, you may also be able to boil the brake fluid. This would also reduce braking ability, because of the compressable bubbles in the fluid. I would think the pedal would get soft in this case.
Yes, there is a gas build up off pads. Tis is not boiling as you refer to brakes though. This is also not so much a problem with modern pads as of recently. Or at least much less so a problem. On an entirely street car, and solid rotor is best for braking. On the track, they heat up easier, but can still be fine in some cases.

For the original poster, if this is happening on the street, you have a few problems. Your rotors and or pads are probably not in great shape. Additionally, you may have non performance pads. This causes you to apply more pressure to stop and build heat faster. Once it heats up, the pad looses grip, brake fluid boils and looses pressure, and you eventually fade. The shaking is warped rotors. Sounds to me like you need new rotors/pads or ,aybe jsut pads and having your rotors turned.
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