Carerra Brakes and Rain

[av winans]

Does anyone running 911 Carerra brakes have an issue stopping in the rain. Dry weather everything is just fine. I'm trying to deduct if the issue is the brakes the pads or the wheels throwing water onto the disc and pads. These are installed on a 914, wheels are old three piece BBS race wheels. Pads are PBR Ultimates. No brakes shields. Pedal stays firm but it acts as if the disc is coated in oil. Any thoughts would be great.

[rusnak]

I have a 914-6 with 911sc calipers and rotors, and some sort of pbr pads. No stopping problems in the rain.

I also have a 3.2 911 with pbr ceramic pads. No stopping problems in the rain. Both cars have the stock brake shields.

You should make sure that the caliper is centered on the rotor too btw.

[JeremyD]

Alot of rain in Florida - no issues - hydroplaning yes - brake issues - nope.

[Peter Zimmermann]

My '82 SC came into my life with an extraordinarily hard set of older Bridgestone tires (sorry, I can't remember the model number), but the first time I drove in the wet I almost crashed the car because it just wouldn't stop. I had already done the calipers and hoses, and there was no indication of a problem until the rain came and I had to quickly resort to the "pump the brake" method of lock up - stop - lock up - stop... Scared the hell out of me, but a new set of Bridgestone RE 750s fixed the problem completely.

[84_Carrera]

I had more noticeable issues with my '84 before replacing the rotors with drilled rotors - same effect, like a cushion of air between the pad & rotor surface. This was with 2 different sets of tires too. The drilled rotors help, but I'm always conscious of the potential extra stopping distance required on mine.

Dry is 100% a-ok.

[stevemfr]

Actually, I have felt something like this. This was back in 1985-6 in my '84 Carrera, Euro spec and completely stock. I commuted from southern MD to the Baltimore Beltway and had a long stretch of highway (25-30mins) where I would usually not hit the brakes at all - just constant 65-75mph. Nearly every time I hit the brakes for the on-ramp to the beltway in heavy rain, I had about a second of no reaction. Pedal felt fine, just no braking - but only for about a second. Like oiled discs. Not anywhere close to dangerous, but more than enough to raise my pulse to about 215.

Although I've never had a chance to try back-to-back or even in similar conditions, I assume that the cross-drilled rotors on my present 911 would take care of this issue. I've not felt it since...

[euro911sc]

Yeah I had that happen once. Scared the ***** out of me. I was in tight traffic and freezing rain... got to my exit and the cars in front started to stop... I didn't... I pushed harder and finally the brakes just turned on and I came to a very fast halt about 12 inces from the car in front of me. I put the car away for the winter that night. Never happened again even when I got caught in the snow once.

My SC has all Carrera brakes.

-Michael

[av winans]

Thanks for all the replies.

It seems as most of you have a similar set up with the exception of the wheels that I am runing. Now I am wondering if they could be the problem by funneling rain water onto the disc. Every time it rains I have this problem when I press for some brake. FIrm pedal no braking resistance. If I drag the the brakes (like I'm squeegeeing water off the disc) it seems to help. Maybe I need to run a different set of wheels in the rain and see if that makes a difference.

[tijnes]

Subscribed.

I've had the exact same thing on my '78 SC with 7 & 9 fuchs. While driving in the rain specially on the highway, the first time I apply brakes it nothing happens, drag it for a bit and the brakes work as normal. Haven't figured out yet what causes it but it sure is scary. So much so that I was forced to buy a 73 T for a new "weekend commuter".

Martijn

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by av winans

Thanks for all the replies.

It seems as most of you have a similar set up with the exception of the wheels that I am runing. Now I am wondering if they could be the problem by funneling rain water onto the disc. Every time it rains I have this problem when I press for some brake. FIrm pedal no braking resistance. If I drag the the brakes (like I'm squeegeeing water off the disc) it seems to help. Maybe I need to run a different set of wheels in the rain and see if that makes a difference.

I would try putting the brake rotor shields back on first. I doubt it's your wheels.

[euro911sc]

Yeah, I have no shields... everyone else have no shields?

-Michael

[masraum]

When I had my 3.2L, I think I had brake problems about 3 times in 5 years and 60k miles. I think each time was when I had driven through 4-8 inches of standing water. Otherwise, just driving in the rain, never really caused a problem. I always ran Axxis MetalMasters. I tried Ultimates on my miata and didn't like them so I switched back to the MetalMasters.

[rusnak]

I have shields, no real rain problems. I have not tried driving through any deep puddles either.

[88911coupe]

I had this same problem on long highway trips in rain. First time to use brakes after car has been running along is very scary. I have Metalmasters on the car but used them on my BMW's and don't recall having the same problem.

[3.2Carrera]

i have herd of ppl having trouble with carrera brakes in the rain, i have an 85 Carrera and live in socal, i use the car as a daily driver, have never had problems with brakes in the rain.. maybe thats because i drive like a grandmother when its raining out...lol

[GH85Carrera]

I just finished a road trip of just under 3,000 miles. I was rained on many times, some storms were heavy rain. I never had a problem with brakes. My car is 100% stock. I would guess the Porsche engineers put the shields on there for a reason.