PSA for brake fluid service - what's the worst that can happen??? | FerrariChat
Buy

PSA for brake fluid service - what's the worst that can happen???

Discussion in '360/430' started by KVerow, May 29, 2018.

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

  1. KVerow

    KVerow Karting

    Nov 22, 2010
    76
    Bedford, NH
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    #1 KVerow, May 29, 2018
    Took delivery of my 01 360 Spider last December with squishy brakes, what happens next is why you should always change the fluids regardless of miles. In March I took the car out for an early spring drive and found myself looking at the underside of a tractor trailer with no braking power. After pumping furiously I was able to get enough pressure to slow down and avoid a very unpleasant ending. Shaking and scared ****less, I slowly drove the car home and called my guy to get my car in ASAP. He took it several days later and spent the next 2-weeks doing a general service and fluids and brake inspection.

    Turns out there was nothing happening at the rears and next to nothing at the front. Given I took delivery of the car in December and it was stored all winter he suggested I call the dealer to pick up the car. They eventually did, with a little prodding and began the diagnosis.

    Turns out, due to a lack of attention and questionable fluid use, the Master Brake Cylinder was corroded and needed to be replaced further diagnosis revealed that ABS pump was also corroded and needed to be replaced. Finally, with both those pieces in place we thought we were in the clear only to find out that the lines that connect the left and right side of each caliper was clogged and couldn't be blown out. So now we're disassembling, cleaning and rebuilding all 4 calipers to ensure they are operating properly with no residual residue or impairment. Hopefully that will be the end of it.

    So when someone says the fluid service isn't important and what the worst that can happen if you put it off remember this post. Parts and labor for all this work is well north of of $7K and thankfully is being covered by the dealer. Kudos to them for doing the right thing.
     
    John_K_348 and whatheheck like this.
  2. BlacktopRacing

    BlacktopRacing Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2016
    1,003
    Pittsburgh
    Full Name:
    Dale
    #2 BlacktopRacing, May 29, 2018
    Glad you're ok and the car is being cared for. Just curious if you had a PPI done prior to finalizing the deal. Seems like something that would/should have been caught.
     
  3. KVerow

    KVerow Karting

    Nov 22, 2010
    76
    Bedford, NH
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    #3 KVerow, May 29, 2018
    I did but it wasn't picked up.
     
  4. BlacktopRacing

    BlacktopRacing Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2016
    1,003
    Pittsburgh
    Full Name:
    Dale
    #4 BlacktopRacing, May 29, 2018
    If there is that much corrosion going on in the system, it would be evident just by looking at the fluid in the master cylinder. I wouldn't say it was missed, but rather completely overlooked, as in not checked at all.
     
  5. KVerow

    KVerow Karting

    Nov 22, 2010
    76
    Bedford, NH
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    #5 KVerow, May 29, 2018
    I can't argue that.
     
  6. BlacktopRacing

    BlacktopRacing Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2016
    1,003
    Pittsburgh
    Full Name:
    Dale
    #6 BlacktopRacing, May 29, 2018
    On a side note, non silicone-based brake fluid will naturally try to absorb moisture. However, there is no reason to change the fluid annually if the car is driven regularly. You just bleed them during normal maintenance and top off with fresh fluid, such as with any brake-related service (ie, new pads and or rotors). This keeps unwanted moisture out of the system.
     
    KVerow and Mimmo Blue like this.
  7. whatheheck

    whatheheck F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 27, 2006
    4,148
    Seattle, Wa
    Full Name:
    Dan L.
    #7 whatheheck, May 31, 2018
    Thanks for sharing.

    Brakes are extremely crucial for driving safely. I follow the Ferrari maintenance procedures and get mine done annually.
    Cant put a price tag on safety, especially when my wife, my son, my friends rides with me from time to time.

    Dan
     
  8. whatheheck

    whatheheck F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 27, 2006
    4,148
    Seattle, Wa
    Full Name:
    Dan L.
    #8 whatheheck, May 31, 2018
    Talking about brakes, I've gotten used to Ferrari and BMW Brakes, going on business trips, I once rented a Toyota Corolla & when the car in front of me suddenly stopped I thought I had plenty of time to react & realized the rental car kept right on going even after I slammed on the brakes & I almost read ended the car in front of me.

    Lessons learned is always understand what car you are driving and its capabilities / limits.
     
    Red 27 likes this.
  9. Need4Spd

    Need4Spd F1 Veteran

    Feb 24, 2007
    6,678
    Silicon Valley
    #9 Need4Spd, May 31, 2018
    You can certainly do that if you want, but most of us don’t go through enough pad material in a year to get enough changeover of the fluid to be confident of avoiding corrosion or boiling fluid in high performance driving. At least once a year I flush my fluid.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  10. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,045
    USA
    #10 f355spider, May 31, 2018
    At a tech session at Ferrari of Seattle a few years ago, it was mentioned that brake and coolant changes are the most neglected thing they see. They showed examples of the costly results of such neglect. IIRC the minimum is change them both every two years, and if possible, do the brake fluid annually with the oil and filter change.
     
    KVerow and whatheheck like this.

Share This Page