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Wet braking performance

M

my_black99svt

CEG'er
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
231
Location
Ypsilanti, Mi
I'm not sure if this is just my car or contours in general, but braking in the rain is terrible with this car. I've never driven a car that performed worse when wet except maybe my '67 beetle. It seems to take 3 or 4 seconds of braking without slowing down for the brakes to dry and then I get instant braking. Dry performance feels fine.

I don't feel safe driving in rain.

Is this just me or all contours?
 
pretty sure wet performance is determine by the type/composition of the brake pad.

so what are you running?
 
I agree with brapple on this one, I had a similar issue on my pre98. In the wet there always was a delay before the pads would actually start doing their job, after I replaced my front rotors and pads with a more quality part that issue never existed unless I drove in a huge puddle, and even then it wasnt nearly as bad.

if you get some vibration when stopping (usually warped rotors) I would invest in a good set of rotors and pads, i went to advance auto and got rotors with a 2 year warrenty to not warp for only like $18 a rotor, and motorcraft pads, and I have been golden :cool:
 
BrApple said:
pretty sure wet performance is determine by the type/composition of the brake pad.

so what are you running?
Click to expand...

that makes sense. And I have no idea what is on my car. So OEM pads perform okay wet?

I have a lot of front pad left. The rear rotors and pads will be replaced in the Spring. Is there any types/compostitions known for poor wet performance?
 
I have not really noticed a delay or anything in the rain... I have no clue what I have on there, but the pads and rotors where changed after a cross-country trip in Washington state at 55,000 :crazy:

My car has been everywhere... The dealership card with my manual is from California...
 
I had used Wearever Silvers from Advance Auto Parts on my car and noticed the same exact problem. If my car sat for any length of time, the first time I hit the brakes in the rain it felt like I was on ice and then they would all of a sudden start to grab after a second or two. Problem solved after replacing the pads with a good quality brake pad, I used the Bendix pads and had no problems. Make sure you use what the vehicle was designed for...if it calls for OE semimetallic then use those...if you use what is NOT intended for your vehicle it will greatly affect braking performance!
 
advance auto rotors are awesome, I have beat the hell out of them and still not a single shimmy or shake from them.

I wouldnt ever buy the pads though, if you are talking about brake pads I would go OEM or Bendix.
 
I do have the exact same problem! I was wondering if I was the only one...
I had that problem sometime with the Mystique but never as bad as the SVT. I have the BAT OEM brake kit, but then the front pad didn't fit, so the garage put a set of "Premium" Contour pad instead. At first, I blamed the SVT rims for letting too much water to spray on the discs (compared to the steel rims of the Mystique), but then that would make more sense.

I was never satisfied of the brake pads performance, even dry. It feels like the Tempo, nowhere near what I'd get with the Mystique with well used pads.

As reference, in wet condition, on the highway, I have to pump the brakes 2-3 times before having any kind of braking action. I even get ABS going off on dry pavement with moderate braking.

Well after writing that, I think I should definitely look to change those pads! Thanks! ;)
 
when i first got my svt i had a HUGE problem with brake fade in dry weather with the OEM pads that were on the car. it was odd. but it could have also been the way they wore and the rotor was not in the best shape. i have mitex. but they are a little loud.
 
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I'm glad I'm not the only one. Sounds like I need some new pads all the way around. If I am doing that I should replace the rotors. If I am doing that I want to paint the calipers and rotors.

I guess I will live with it until spring and it warms up.
 
my_black99svt said:
I'm glad I'm not the only one. Sounds like I need some new pads all the way around. If I am doing that I should replace the rotors. If I am doing that I want to paint the calipers and rotors.

I guess I will live with it until spring and it warms up.
Click to expand...

you may not need new rotors. you can have your old ones turned. but yea i would rather have fresh, rust free ones.
 
design issue too

design issue too

I think pad material matters, but I think there is an element that is a design issue too.

I've never had any other car this susceptible to some water getting on the brakes.

On my SVT I've tried: original rotors, Brembo plain rotors, Raybestos Premium rotors. Original pads, Bendix Platinum semi-metallics, and now Morse Ceramics.

They have all exhibited the same characteristic. You're on the highway, it's raining hard. You step on the brakes and count to 3 before your car starts slowing down.

If I'm driving fast in heavy traffic, I step lightly on the brake to dry them off every once in a while.
 
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