High speed brake fade...

[My_yella_s2k]

Dave....
I was on my way home last night from work, and was doing a slight bit above the posted speed limit.

Someone decided to pull out in front of and then stop in the slow lane I was in.... I saw him pull out about 100' in front of me....
I was in 6th, saw this happen, slam on my brakes (ABS never went on) and started to downshift like crazy until 2nd. as Im appling the brakes, the pedal decided to go lower than usually.. alot more than usual. It scared the crap outta me, almost as if I wasn't going to stop in time.
I got to work early this AM and put the car up on the lift to check my brakes, front are like 7mm and rears are around the same. brake fluid is normal - not low enough to cause concern, but a nice shade of dark "used and old" brake fluid. checked for leaks around the master and no leaks were found of course.

This happened one or 2 other times when I was braking at a high rate of speed...
normal braking, this doesnt happen, no vibration during braking or driving.....

Im thinkin' either the brake fluid is getting old (only 2 yrs and 42k on the clock)....
I dunno...

[Rocketman]

Well, Im not Dave, but I think you should at least bleed them. It's curious that you ABS never came on. You might want to find a place where it is relatively safe to check them to see if you can replicate the problem under certain conditions and see if you can get your ABS to come on.

[My_yella_s2k]

Sean, the ABS comes on... Ive done it before to make it come on.... IE - snow wet traction.

ABS is functioning properly... does the abs pump test at 13mph and light goes on and off during startup

[desmo4]

Mike I would change the brake fluid once a year at least. I am running Motul 600 and have had no fade issues. Your brake fluid may have boiled. If there are enough impurities in the fluid it could reduce the boiling point. I would also check the brake pads to see if they are glazed. See what condition the rotors are in as well.

Jonathan

[repiv]

As said, first recommendation is to change the brake fluid. You may have absorbed enough water to make the fluid ineffectual. After the change, if nothing changes, then other areas must be explored. Humid areas tend to degrade brake fluid more quickly than a dry area, like where I live. My brake fluid has been tested good after 3 years.