No Brakes

[Tezreddevil]

Hi, currently up mountain in central France in campsite. Everything got overworked yesterday. By the end I had no brakes. What may be the problem?

[kevtherev]

Brake fade
is a sure sign that your brake discs have worn past the limit. They get red hot and can't absorb the heat as they are too thin. The stock disc is thicker and able to cope better.
Add to that if you've never changed the brake fluid, as it's so old, it may have boiled and made the efficiency very poor.

[California Dreamin]

We have done the Alsace, the Alps and this year the Central massive. Brakes are always an issue....designed in the early 70's, all brakes of that era were adequate at best and even in tip top condition you need to be aware of their limitations. Typically, under extreme conditions (driving down mountains) you will get some fading of the brakes first (pressing harder to get the same braking effort) at this point you must stop and let them recover (cool down). If you continue braking you risk total failure (foot to the floor) as the brake fluid boils (called vapour lock)
The effects can be minimized by good service and regular brake fluid changes but the inherent shortcomings of a 70's brake system remain (small solid front brake discs and small drums stopping a 2000Kg plus van)

Can I ask, have the brakes come back? or have they failed totally?
A cheap brake fluid change would be advisable, this could be done on site, all you need is a litre of DOT 4 brake fluid a length of screen washer pipe and a small bottle.
Check the brakes generally for wear and overheat damage.
Check that the overheating on the front brakes hasn't resulted in the bearing grease leaking out the hub seals.....you don't want those bearings running dry.
Check for leaks on the brake lines/flex's and rear wheel cylinders, make sure nothing has failed.

Martin

[RCN]

I would lean more towards old brake fluid being the problem. Brake fluid is designed to absorb moisture, so if its old there will be a good deal of water in the lines. as you use the brakes alot, heat builds up inside, boils the water, creates an air pocket and then you lose braking efficency. the only way to fix this is to bleed out the old and replace it with new fluid. Rule of thumb suggests this being done every 2 years regardless of mileage.

[Tezreddevil]

Kev

Spoken to my mechanic in UK. All fluids have been changed, I just need to change driving style for intermittent braking to allow for older discs. They are ok today. Auvergne region of Volcanoes is incredibly hilly.

Cheers

[Tezreddevil]

Cheers guys for comments. Fluid was changed last month I just did not alter driving style for old discs rather than my work vehicle back home. Lesson learnt I hope. Alps then round back through Alsace to come.

[Ralf85]

Good news that you are ok. You need to drop down through the gears to slow you down on them thar very long hills. I tend to use the brakes often but in short bursts so they keep relatively cool. Overlong use will see them overheat and then brake fade. Not good. Keep enjoying the experience over there.

Patrick

[malmoy]

My rule of thumb is to go down the hill in the gear I would go up the hill. That usually ensures adeqate engine braking and little need to use the actual brakes. Hope this helps and enjoy France. Im on my way tomorrow, horay. Mal.