[s-cars] Sticky Big Red

[Tom Green]

Abe, I mean clean the brake dust and crud off the caliper so you can  
see the condition of the dust boots.  You probably are going to have  
to remove the pads but not the caliper.  If one is torn it is probably  
best to bite the bullet then and have them rebuilt.  Your inspection  
of the lines, etc is time well spent.

That sounds like a shop you use regularly that checked the balance.   
Knowing the problem, I am sure they would also look for a leaky piston  
or other possible causes.  The shop I use will tolerate my inspection  
while they have the wheels off.

I use Mintex red box and Hawk HPS for street pads.

Tom '95 S6
          '95.5 S6 avant
Knoxville, TN

On Jun 7, 2010, at 3:27 PM, Abe Berman wrote:

> Tom,
>
> Thanks for the tips.  I did not closely inspect them, no, my  
> mechanic actually did the balancing as I do not have access to a  
> balancer.
>
> What constitutes an "exterior cleanup"?  I usually wipe down the  
> caliper exteriors and the surrounding with a rag and simple green  
> when I change winter and summer wheels.  I clean the rotors with  
> brake cleaner should any simple green get on them.  I do not however  
> remove the caliper or rotor.  I do inspect the lines and suspension  
> components whilst down there.
>
> Any recommendations on pads and fluid from the group?  As far as  
> performance needs, this is a spirited daily driver only, no track use.
>
> Thanks,
>
> a
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 2:31 PM, Tom Green <trgreen at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> Did you have a chance to inspect the brakes while the wheels were  
> being checked for
> balance?  You don't mention any intervening maintenance since the  
> brakes were
> installed 5 yrs/30K miles ago.  It's certainly time for a fluid  
> flush, exterior cleanup and
> inspection, and perhaps a pad change.  If they are one piece rotors,  
> turning them to
> provide a new and true bedding surface for new pads is a good idea.   
> If the pads are
> worn 1/2 or more, the reposition of the piston may be all that is  
> needed along with the
> new fluid, but if the pistons are out that far you might be advised  
> to check behind the
> dust boot to make sure the pistons are clean and add a little plasti- 
> lube to insure they
> retract smoothly when resetting for new pads.
>
> Then clean and inspect the brakes at least yearly and flush the  
> fluid at least every two
> years.
>
> Tom '95 S6
>          '95.5 S6 avant
> Knoxville, TN
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2010 10:16:42 -0700
>> From: Martin Kozaczek <mkozaczek at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Sticky Big Red
>> To: Abe Berman <yellowcuda at gmail.com>
>> Cc: s-car list <s-car-list at audifans.com>
>> Message-ID:
>> <AANLkTilHqJpT3apSTxEfyJ0goZq8B9FwRMlw0kiQ_1Dp at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>
>> I've read that some have had luck with taking the caliper off  
>> (easier to
>> work this way) removing the seal or boot whatever it's called, then  
>> cleaning
>> out the piston bore with liberal amounts o WD40 or equivalent,  
>> clearing out
>> with compressed air and reassembling.
>>
>> My calipers were new so I didn't bother, just sent them back.
>>
>> On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 10:01 AM, Abe Berman <yellowcuda at gmail.com>  
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks for sharing Martin.
>>>
>>> Hmm, guess I should check the archives.  I am hoping (read:  
>>> praying) that I
>>> don't need to replace the caliper(s).
>>>
>>> On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 12:40 PM, Martin Kozaczek <mkozaczek at gmail.com 
>>> >wrote:
>>>
>>>> This seems to be a common problem with the older style two piece
>>>> 928GTS/993 big reds or blacks.  I had a brand new set that did it  
>>>> right from
>>>> day 1.
>>>>
>>>> I tried everything and could not get it to go away, so I returned  
>>>> them and
>>>> temporarily replaced them with 996 C4 calipers while I wait for  
>>>> my 996TT big
>>>> reds.  Problem went away immediately when I put the 996 calipers  
>>>> on.
>>>>
>>>>  On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 9:27 AM, Abe Berman  
>>>> <yellowcuda at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Patient - 95.5 Avant mit Porsche "Big Red" front calipers
>>>>>
>>>>> Has anyone had problems with sticky Porsche calipers?
>>>>>
>>>>> I have been experiencing incidences of shuddering on the highway  
>>>>> and feel
>>>>> it
>>>>> slightly (but intermittently) around town at lower speeds.   
>>>>> Checked
>>>>> balance
>>>>> on all 4 wheels and its fine.  Tires are new and have no external
>>>>> defects.
>>>>>
>>>>> I experienced this to a HEAVY degree whilst on the highway on  
>>>>> Friday and
>>>>> immediately pulled off at an exit.  Front Left wheel had serious  
>>>>> heat
>>>>> radiating off of it and a strong brake smell, all others were  
>>>>> normal.
>>>>>
>>>>> I did some reading and it seems like the correct procedure would  
>>>>> be to
>>>>> clean
>>>>> and lubricate slide pins and flush brake fluid/bleed brakes to  
>>>>> eliminate
>>>>> possible gunk/moisture in lines.
>>>>>
>>>>> The Big Reds were installed approximately 5 years/30k miles ago.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
>>>>>
>>>>> Abe
>>>>> Burlington, VT
>
>