•TECHNICAL•
What is Brake Fade?
Brake fade is the term used when there
is a reduction in braking power due to excessive heat between
your rotor and pad.
Why Does Brake Fade Happen?
Brake fade most commonly happens during
high performance driving. During repeated high speed braking
events or panic stops, heat builds up in the rotor and pad causing
the pad materials to overheat and lose its friction properties.
During this type of fade, the brake pedal is firm, but stopping
power is reduced. Brake pad fade can be overcome in a variety
of ways.
Another Type of Brake Fade
Overheating brake fluid is another common
occurrence during track days. Like pad fade, boiling your brake
fluid occurs during repeated high speed braking events. During
braking, your calipers could reach temperatures in excess of
650 degrees. Brake fluid travels in and out of your calipers
to compress and retract the pistons which clasp your brake pads
against the rotor. During this process the fluid will boil and
expel gas which collects in your brake lines. This in turn creates
a spongy/soft pedal. The most effective way to combat this is
to regularly bleed or flush your brake fluid with high quality
high temp fluid. This is also the only way to remedy overheated
brake fluid. The most commonly used fluid is Motul RBF 600.
Brake Pad Break Down
Brake pads are made up of different
compounds which result in different characteristics. Standard
OEM brake pads are designed to grip at a low operating temperature
during daily commutes, while high performance “Track
Pads” are
designed to accommodate repeated extreme heat braking. Though
track pads are great for the road course, they are a nuisance
on the street and two separate sets of pads are recommended
for avid track day enthusiasts. Track pads have a very high
operating temperature which in turn serves no purpose during
daily driving. Friction levels (Bite) at low operating temperature
is almost non-existent and constant squealing is straining
to ears. For people who only attend a few track days a year
or drive very spiritedly on the street, a multi-purpose compound
may be suitable. Performance Friction has introduced the Metallic
Z line of pads. These pads work great for both the street and
the occasional track day/AutoX.
Controlling Fade through Driving
Technique
Brake fade can be dramatically reduced
through your driving style. Instead of lightly applying the brakes
for long intervals, Use short bursts of braking to allow your
rotors and pads to avoid extreme temperatures. Engine braking
when combined with standard braking is another method that greatly
reduces fade however this method comes with experience, we do
not recommend this method for novice drivers.
Brake Upgrade Path
Step 1:
- High Performance Brake Pads - Higher
Heat Coefficients withstand higher heat
- S.S. Brake Lines
- Reduce Line Expansion / Safety Precaution
- Prevents Overheating Brake Fluid
Step 2:
- Disperse Heat more efficiently
- Disperse Heat more efficiently / Weight Savings
- Routes air to cooling vanes of rotors to quickly cool down rotor
Step 3:
- Larger Contact area / Greater Brake Torque / Cooling efficiency
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