Water cooled brakes are fantastic to have in your racer, but they can also get you into some problems if they aren’t properly cooled. For example, you may experience pad fade, brake fluid boil, rotor wear rates higher than expected, and even cracked rotors.
This is because water is a hygroscopic material that absorbs moisture from the air around it. As a result, it degrades the boiling point of your brake fluid.
Brake Discs
During braking, brake discs are exposed to high levels of heat. As a result, they must be designed to withstand the thermal load while achieving optimal adhesion and friction properties.
Brake discs must also be designed to prevent water and dust from contaminating the rubbing surfaces. This is achieved by machining grooves and slots into the disc to allow water to flow away from the braking surface while dust and gas are removed via drilled holes.
However, this can hurt braking performance in some circumstances as the water is forced into the slots or holes, which reduces the ability of the disc to grip and stop the vehicle.
Many drivers prefer vented brake discs as they absorb and dissipate heat better. In addition, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of a vented wheel allows air to flow into the wheel hub and through the vents, improving the cooling rate by up to 10%.
Brake Lines
Brake lines are crucial to how your vehicle’s braking system works. They allow the brake fluid to travel from the master cylinder to the calipers at each of your wheels.
Pressing the brake pedal transfers pressure to the master cylinder, which forces the brake fluid along the brake lines. The brake fluid then travels to the cylinders attached to the calipers, which squeeze the brake discs and cause your car’s wheels to stop.
If your vehicle’s brake lines are damaged or broken, it can significantly decrease your car’s braking power. It can also cause your brakes to pull to one side while braking and make your brake pedal feel soft.
Brake Pads
Brake pads are a crucial part of a vehicle’s braking system. They work by squeezing against a metal disc or rotor to create friction that slows and stops the wheels.
They are made from metal, rubber, glass, ceramic, Kevlar, and resin that can withstand heat. Some are also softer than others, which can help improve your vehicle’s handling while reducing noise.
In the past, brake pads were primarily made from asbestos, but today manufacturers use other materials. These include alloys and trace elements of different materials to keep costs down.
There are several different types of brake pads, and they all differ based on various factors, including caliper and packaging design, application requirements, and performance needs. All of these factors impact the amount of energy required to slow down and stop your car.
Brake Rotors
Brake rotors are one of the most critical components in a modern vehicle’s brake system. They work hand-in-hand with brake pads to stop a car, and they dissipate heat energy created by the friction between the brake pad and rotor during braking operations.
The brake rotor comprises two iron discs connected by ribs that press against a brake pad during braking. The braking surface of the rotor is painted with a thin layer of brake pad material that acts as a surface for the brake pad to contact.
Rotors are made of several materials, but cast iron and steel are the most common. These materials are both strong and provide excellent heat dissipation.
Because they are such an essential part of the braking system, it’s crucial to understand how rotors work and how to keep them in top condition. Unfortunately, some myths can hurt the performance and safety of your rotors.
