Brake Failure? | FerrariChat
Buy

Brake Failure?

Discussion in '308/328' started by nullspace, Jul 10, 2014.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. nullspace

    nullspace Karting

    Apr 1, 2014
    92
    #1 nullspace, Jul 10, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2014
    For a few weeks I've noticed the car pulling slightly to the right under braking (I actually made another thread about it and hadn't gotten as far as taking the brake apart yet).

    Today I had what seemed like a complete failure of the left front brake. I was driving along when I smelled something like a burning clutch or burning brakes. Then a puff of smoke came from the left front wheel well, the brake pedal went soft, and the car started pulling hard to the right under braking. After that there was no more smoke or smell. At no point did I see any fluids leaking from the car.

    Based on the fact that the smoke and smell stopped, I'm guessing some component just gave way completely.

    Any guesses?
     
  2. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

    Jul 16, 2011
    7,042
    Fairfield,Pa
    Full Name:
    Robert
    #2 Crowndog, Jul 10, 2014
    Smell maybe from a partially seized brake? Then overheated causing boil off of brake fluid and seal destruction?
    Purely a guess as requested.
     
  3. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2005
    15,062
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Tom Spiro
    #3 spirot, Jul 10, 2014
    Hmm... Most likely cause is your LEFT brake has some corrosion in the line and or leak. I had the same thing and the caliper needed to be re built. the pistons were shot ... you are basically just using the right brake to slow down and it can lock up easy as the weight shifts to the front.

    the smoke could either be the pads locked up - you woudl notice it on further driving or a burst piston and fluid leak - burn ... I would not do any driving till it is completly repaired. Corrosion or dirt in the fluid can cause the calipers to fail over time.... been there done that.
     
  4. nullspace

    nullspace Karting

    Apr 1, 2014
    92
    #4 nullspace, Jul 10, 2014
    Yes I meant the left front - I edited the post to fix that.

    Hmm - sounds like maybe something that I should have a pro fix. The car is headed to the body shop for an unrelated thing tomorrow, so I will just have to warn them to drive as little as possible and deal with the brakes later.

     
  5. scowman

    scowman F1 Rookie

    Mar 25, 2014
    2,550
    Scottsdale AZ
    Full Name:
    Stu Boogie
    #5 scowman, Jul 10, 2014
    Could be a bad wheel bearing.

    I had that happen to me once. Bearing burned up, boiled the brake fluid. Easy to test. Jack car, grab top and bottom of tire with both hands and wiggle. If the wheel wiggles, the bearing is suspect.
     
  6. nullspace

    nullspace Karting

    Apr 1, 2014
    92
    #6 nullspace, Jul 10, 2014
    Interesting - I'll give that a shot.

     

Share This Page