Just interested in anyones comments on this. 1997 spider, 27k miles, not been used for a few month, took it out today and the front near side brake stuck on, over heating the caliper, smoke coming off it. stopped let it cool, poured some water to make sure it was cold, brake released, drove it home slowly with handbrake only. took wheel off, took out pads, everything looked ok, no corrosion visible really, but the pads did seem tight in the caliper, (where they slide on the st.st insert) so filed edge of pad and added some copper grease. cleaned everything and put back together) tried pressing brake pedal, and brakes worked and realesed fine. drop car back of the jack and tried to reverse, brakes stuck on but it was the drivers side this time, it was solid. lh side was fine, did exact same on RHS and it all seems fine now, but it just seems strange that both have failed on the same day. (car had been driven for about 20 miles before the first one locked up). wondering if the flexiable pipes are degrading or blocking on the inside and sealing pressure in Anyone had anything similar. ???? also rear wheels seem to have excessive amount of brake dust also - I am guessing its just old pads and maybe degrading ? so will change them and see if it makes any difference. or they could be dragging a bit also ?? The car has full history and is pretty much immaculate, it hasnt been out in the rain in over a year and after I wash it I take it for a run to dry brakes before parking it up, its also kept in a heated garage normally, but had been parked outside for about a week recently in the rain, but in a fairly expensive outdoor cover. thanks in advance to anyone that has comments. regards Scott.
This failure does not sound like it should happen with proper maintenance. Your failure is a dangerous one which could put you in a wall. Don't drive the car until it is fixed. These cars are 17 years old and brake components are not lifetime but their life can be greatly extended by proper maintenance. Two common forms of brake release failure are from moisture of not properly flushing brake systems routinely allowing the internals of the brake lines to clog or the piston seals to stick and drag.
fluid changes have all been done, and full main dealer history until 2012, 2013, had indy that looks after my porsches, i dont think sticking pistons were the issue due to corrosion at all, i am going to have the flexy brake pipes replaced as a matter of course and considering having the calipers rebuilt with new seals, had just wondered if anyone had a similar issue and what they found the cause to be,
Brake lines.I had the same problem with my 1999 last week.there is a re/call on the front brake lines.
If you are only replacing the flexy pipes as a "matter of course" then why bother? Why bother rebuilding the calipers if you don't think the pistons are sticking? You know where I am going with this. You need proper diagnosis.
Had a problem like that on my 308. Small seepage past the piston seals, over a long period of time, without use of the car, turns to gue and once you step on the brake the piston will not retract. Check the calipers. You may need to rebuild them. Also flush the brake lines.
First thing I thought was this usually happens when there is gunk / junk in the brake line right at the caliper or in the fluid porting of the caliper itself. It can act like a check valve and let you apply pressure to the piston then when you let off it still holds the pressure. I've seen that plenty of times. Even on a car that gets the brake lines flushed regularly they rarely clean out the caliper side totally. Having it switch sides makes it interesting. Maybe like Bruce said something with the ABS unit? If it was the master cylinder not letting the pressure off you would think it would be both front or both rear at the same time. I would personally look in the ABS area of things where it splits individually into the 4.
If a problem like this occurs a full safety check is in order from the master to the last bleeder. Once crud is in the brake system a complete service is the only option
This is whats wrong! LOL 2 most probable causes are.... 1) Caliper pistons sticking. Buy yourself a pad spreader, pull out your pads and try and "spread"/wind back the pistons into their respective cylinders. If they wont go back easily your calipers need a strip down clean etc 2) The tracks the pads run on corrode forcing (usually) the bottom one forcing it upwards slightly thus reducing the gap for the pad to slide in and causing them to jam in the applied position - don't forget your pistons are there to force the pad against the disk - once your foot is off the pedal they should loosen off from the disk under their own accord and it sounds like this is not happening. At the very least try cleaning the top and bottom tracks and make sure the pads can move freely - if they are tight fit as you say that need to be fixed before you do anything else. Pics of brake pad spreader attached Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Sounds like a brake hose problem. I have a 348 here today with a dragging rear brake problem. I'll let you know what I find.
I've not heard about that recall campaign - do you have a PDF or letter regarding it - or the recall notice number?
Dave I didnt do the re/call .i just had two steel braided lines made up $35 each.But if you google 99 355 ferrari re/calls you will find it.Its only for the front lines.
1999 Ferrari F355 F1 Recall for Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Foundation Components, Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings Problem #00V064000 Looks like for leaking brake hoses. I wasn't aware of this one. Thanks Mike
I put SS lines on all my brakes when I changed the calipers. The originals are 20 year old rubber under high pressure. I would suggest this as a minimum upgrade for for all.
If I could just add to what I said before.... If you find that the pistons don't want to retract easily with the spreader and your concerned about it being a hydraulic problem loosen off the bleed valves giving the fluid an escape route. If they then relax and become easy to spread then I would suspect what's mentioned above. However if they are still stiff then suspect the caliper. NB Just an indicator of how free pistons in calipers should be with them off the car you should be able to push them into their cylinders quite easily by hand and eject them with compressed air from one of those cans used to dust computers etc. Just a guess but did you give the car a wash before putting it away for the few months you mentioned? You might have a mild dose of surface corrosion which a good clean up would cure. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Ferrari north america 3/21/2000 #477 Service brakes hydraulic foundation components /hoses/lines/piping and fittings.
Bob Its not just for leaking hoses.The brake lines can collapse and not release the brake caliper. Its got something to do with rubber brake hose and brake fluid not being compatible. I just fixed mine last week left front caliper would not release. i had two steel braided lines made up for $35.00 each and replaced both sides.
Goodridge Black Ferrari F355 Stainless Braided Brake Hoses | eBay I bought these from this ebay person in the UK and installed them. They are anodized black and the fitment was perfect.
Guys thanks for all the replies. Update ! Brake pads removed from all four calipers, the slides cleaned and pistons checked that they are moving in an out easily (all were). All seals in good shape with no tears, splits, nicks etc. Calipers have no corrosion visible at all, but the slides had build up of what looks like hard brake dust/anti seize compound. All cleaned, copper ease applied and put back together. Spoke to shop who said that its fairly common, especially if not used that they can drag a little and heat up, which can make matters worse. Moved car back and forth loads in garage and pedal felt fine. Took it about 20 yards and pedal felt like no servo, took loads of pressure to get brakes to work. (only doing 5mph) then front LHS locked up again. Its back in the garage in disgrace and I will stick it on the car transported and take to garage as soon as they have a free slot. ABS light came on this time, which was interesting, My prediction is that the brake pipes are the issue. Will fit aero quips while its in shop anyway, but it could be ABS issue. regards Scott.
Shop called today, car sorted, collapsing hose on front brakes, system flushed, new aeroquips all round, car serviced, ready for pick up friday, cost - who knows, but happy its working again, thanks to all that posted helpful responses, regards scott.
