Brakes not working properly when wet

[GAjon]

Never had anything like this on my 6MPS, only normal first use of the day when not 100%. I think you may be prudent in having it checked out.

[PhillipM]

Cheap pads is the usual cause if they've been replaced, but it's quite common with modern cars using higher performance brake pads as OE fit.
Used to have the same problem the first time sintered pads came about.

[littlebasher]

You sure it's not running drums all round!

[G350]

In my 2010 3-series BMW driver's handbook it says:

"In wet conditions or heavy rain, apply the brakes briefly with slight pedal pressure every few kilometres or miles. [snip] The resulting heat dries the brake discs and pads. The braking force will then be available immediately if needed."

IMO, this modern vulnerability to common road conditions is a direct result of the current fashion for huge spoked alloys. This surely never happened when all cars had steelies and an aero trim.

[TTwiggy]

My Elise was bad for this. Big wheels with narrow spokes, plus a large disk area was a recipe for water attaching itself to the discs.

[HellDiver]

TTwiggy said:

My Elise was bad for this. Big wheels with narrow spokes, plus a large disk area was a recipe for water attaching itself to the discs.

Also if you've got old style v-groove tyres like Toyo T1R, Dunlop SP9000, Goodyear GSD3, they pump the water to the sides of the tyres, which bounces off the arches and drowns the brakes.

[nouze]

Mazdarese said:

Nope, you just read too much into my post. I used the 70mph/heavy rain/100% braking terms perhaps to highlight that it was quite a serious issue. In reality, I was probably only doing about 50mph on the occasion I was referring to.

It has happened when I've been pootling down the road at 30mph too.

No need to explain yourself, even 125 mph in wet is safe if your not scared of driving that is.

[The Wookie]

My Evo used to suffer this, the brakes took a few stabs to warm up, and in particularly cold/wet weather they'd go off again if not used. It had a relatively aggressive compound compared to OEM spec stuff. I've also had a similar problem with cheapo pads on my old Focus.

If you've got non-OEM pads on it, then I'd suggest going back to Mazda's own brand. If not, then it could just be a feature as some have described.

[alfa pint]

HellDiver said:

TTwiggy said:

My Elise was bad for this. Big wheels with narrow spokes, plus a large disk area was a recipe for water attaching itself to the discs.

Also if you've got old style v-groove tyres like Toyo T1R, Dunlop SP9000, Goodyear GSD3, they pump the water to the sides of the tyres, which bounces off the arches and drowns the brakes.

A valid point and another reason why my alfa spider running on either falken 452s or Goodyear Eagle GSD3s has the same initial crap bite until I've used the brakes 2 or 3 times.

[Stu R]

Crap pads is the cause. Obviously there'll be some difference in wet and dry braking, but I'm fairly sure the OP is aware of this

Get some decent pads in. Ferodo DS2500 get my vote, also had great results with EBC Yellowstuff on road cars.

[Mazdarese]

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm not sure what pads are on the car as they were on when I got it in November last year. I've had a quote of £135 quid for a set of OEM front pads from Mazda, and an hours labour, so nigh on £200. I'd rather see what other MPS drivers recommend on the MPS forum and fit them myself, as I'm sure I can get DS2500's for half that.

The tyres currently on the car are Gerutti Again, just about fine in the dry, lethal in the wet but I don't think they'll be responsible. I have four Goodyear Eagle Asym's going on at the weekend

[Mazdarese]

Well, who would have thought? Not only do 4 x Eagle F1's completely transform the car's handling, but I'm 90% sure they've also solved the braking problem. I've done 200 miles on the new tyres though a lot of rain, and the brakes feel superb.

How does that work then? How can crap tyres affect the braking so much? Such a poor design that they were channelling water straight onto my brakes?

[HellDiver]

Did you read my previous post at all? Scroll up, read it, there's your answer.

[Mazdarese]

HellDiver said:

Did you read my previous post at all? Scroll up, read it, there's your answer.

Sorry, no I didn't.

I'm sure I had the Gerutti DS628 on, but they don't look like they have the characteristics you suggest.