pick Posted July 21, 2008 #1 Posted July 21, 2008 Rode up Lookout Mtn. over the weekend. Just installed new pads on the rear, cleaned the calipers, etc. Refilled the fluids. Halfway down the mountain, NO rear brakes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now its tough turning hard left or right, 30-40 degrees inclined down with the front brakes only! Sure changes the dynamics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any idea as to where to start to look? This happened once before? Once the rears sat for a bit, I could pump them back up, but got kinda hairy there for awhile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
V7Goose Posted July 21, 2008 #2 Posted July 21, 2008 Your description is classic for contaminated brake fluid. Probably moisture. Brake fluid (other than DOT 5, I think) is a virtual sponge to moisture. That is the primary reason that all instructions state to use a NEW bottle. When the brake pads heat up from use or dragging, the heat causes the moisture content to vaporize and expand. When you push on the peddle, you only compress the vapor, never the fluid. The same thing happens if you have air in the circuit, but it is not as sensitive to heat. Your descriptions sounds more heat related. Change all the fluid. Goose
1BigDog Posted July 21, 2008 #3 Posted July 21, 2008 Had the same thing happen to me coming off a steep mountain rd outside of Knoxville several years ago. Back then I favored the rear brake and coming down off the mountain, 2 up, I lost the rear brake. Once it cooled down the brake returned. Hairy at best. Once I got home I flushed the fluid and installed new fluid. I also learned to use my front brakes a bit more.....LOL
pick Posted July 21, 2008 Author #4 Posted July 21, 2008 Ok, thanks, I'll give that a shot, now I'll just have to plan another trip to the mountains to test it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pick Posted July 23, 2008 Author #5 Posted July 23, 2008 Ok, been to three stores, all have a syn DOT 3-4 compareable, but no DOT 4 specific? Is the syn.3-4 ok to use?
Marcarl Posted July 23, 2008 #6 Posted July 23, 2008 Ok, been to three stores, all have a syn DOT 3-4 compareable, but no DOT 4 specific? Is the syn.3-4 ok to use? Will work just fine, and I'm told it's compatable with the normal stuff, but I would flush all the old stuff out anyways and go total syn.
SaltyDawg Posted July 23, 2008 #7 Posted July 23, 2008 Sounds to me like too much rear brake was used and the fluid boiled. That has caused many a accidents in the mountains.
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