49 replies to this topic

[NDT]

Noticed a couple of times in heavy rain recently - slowing from motorway speeds the brakes on my VXT are shockingly bad. It's not hard pedal or anything like that - pedal feels normal, just hardly any braking effect. I've never felt anything like it on a modern car (including a S1 Elise). Surely they can't have been like this from the factory? Is there an easy fix? Grooved discs? Nick

[JohnTurbo]

Better pads! Otherwise the brakes pretty much ARe S1 Elise.

[techieboy]

Is there an easy fix?

Yes, keep the discs and pads dry.

[ghand]

Got to be crap pads,what do you have fitted ? I think most folk I drive with stop just as good in the wet as the dry under normal braking after which its down to tyres.

[slindborg]

Never had a problem with plain discs.

[MrSimba]

Is there an easy fix?

Yes, keep the discs and pads dry.

This.

In very wet conditions where safe dab the brakes occasionally to keep them dry

[VIX]

Never had a problem driving within the limits of the prevailing conditions. Check your pads and do some training ...

[Nev]

Never had a problem driving within the limits of the prevailing conditions. Check your pads and do some training ...

How would driver training improve the mechanical efficacy of his brakes ?

[Harry Hornet]

Never had a problem driving within the limits of the prevailing conditions. Check your pads and do some training ...

How would driver training improve the mechanical efficacy of his brakes ?

I think the words that are relavent here are "heavy rain".......and "motorway speeds"......my two pence worth is slow down........dry the pads when u can, and use gears and not rely on brakes......ho hum

[siztenboots]

doesn't everyone do occasional dab on the brakes just to make sure they ready when you might need them

[slindborg]

I've never managed to do much more than 5 miles on a motorway without needing to use the brakes anyway

[JG]

i have never heard of brakes not working because they are wet. And i've driven all my cars in moonsoon conditions (even the vx once or twice) and again neve experienced any difference in brake feel. Something is wrong, or you're not doing it right ;p

[P11 COV]

I've never managed to do much more than 5 miles on a motorway without needing to use the brakes anyway

I did 200 miles without touching accelerator or brakes in my ZT last week. Cruise was set to 85 and I went to sleep! Just love French motorways.

[techieboy]

Just love French motorways.

Except when it's raining and you're in a VX.

[JG]

especially a Red NA, cica 2004-05

[NDT]

Got to be crap pads,what do you have fitted ?

I think most folk I drive with stop just as good in the wet as the dry under normal braking after which its down to tyres.

no idea what's fitted - I got the car last November and haven't changed them. Will have a look in the service history.
Any recommendations?

[NDT]

doesn't everyone do occasional dab on the brakes just to make sure they ready when you might need them

I have taken to doing this but it doesn't seem to make much difference.
Also, as an ex-engineer who used to run an automotive engineering firm I'd say any braking system that needs this has something wrong with it.

[NDT]

Never had a problem driving within the limits of the prevailing conditions. Check your pads and do some training ...

How would driver training improve the mechanical efficacy of his brakes ?

I think the words that are relavent here are "heavy rain".......and "motorway speeds"......my two pence worth is slow down........dry the pads when u can, and use gears and not rely on brakes......ho hum

You've misunderstood - I was already driving safely within the conditions but then found that the brakes were ineffective - in the sense of applying braking effort, not in the sense of being limited by traction.
This is definitely something that needs fixing rather than being driven around.

[coldel]

Not too familiar with VX braking systems so going on my experience with other cars but have you checked for any twists/blockages in the brake lines? (are they braided on the VX? Sometimes metal braided lines can get squeezed if not in the right place) I would check everything involved as well as the pads, fluids, lines etc. Had you just taken the car out? Had it been sat idle for some time? Sometimes if the discs carry some rust spots initially the braking is soft and unresponsive until the friction cleans the disc. From what I remember reading up on these cars there is some sort of basic ABS? Could that be playing up? As above, not heard of brakes working any less just because they are wet, you will have less traction as the conditions are wet but the brakes should come on at the same level as in the dry unless an ABS system dictates otherwise?

Edited by coldel, 21 August 2012 - 11:38 AM.

[LazyDonkey]

The only time mine are sh*t are when the car has JUST been handwashed and i drive it straight away. Standard discs and 1155s.