Brake fade with white smoke- better pads or new fluid?

[busta]

After a few fast stops my brakes fade spectacularly, resulting in very little deceleration and a nice cloud of white smoke.

I've always associated brake fade with boiling fluid but am I right in thinking in this instance it's the pads that are overheating?

[Defcon5]

Sounds like that. Unless your calipers are leaking when hot and its the fluid burning on the disk face?

[Ozzie Osmond]

Sounds like cardboard brake pads made in India. Shop elsewhere.

[busta]

The smoke smells distinctly like brake pads. I guess brake fluid would smell different/not at all?

Yes more than likely the cheapest pads available, if the previous owners choice of tyres was anything to go by!

[busta]

Any recommendations on brake pads for everyday and fast road use?

[zaphod42]

Which car from your fleet is this happening to?

[Fleckers]

sounds like a full set, pads, disks and fluid should be done

best tell your insurance company if you change the fluid though, just in case

[busta]

zaphod42 said:

Which car from your fleet is this happening to?

It's a 306 snotter that I paid pennies for, I don't think it's made it into my 'garage' yet!

ETA So it has, my secretary has excelled herself yet again!

Edited by busta on Thursday 16th February 23:29

[The Moose]

busta said:

It's a 306 snotter that I paid pennies for, I don't think it's made it into my 'garage' yet!

are you actually able to do fast stops in that?!

[busta]

Fleckers said:

sounds like a full set, pads, disks and fluid should be done

best tell your insurance company if you change the fluid though, just in case

There's plenty of meat left in the discs and they aren't cracked. Obviously the pads are on there way to a skip. By change the fluid do you mean simply flush and refresh or upgrade to DOT 5.1 or suchlike? If it's the pads that are the weak link I can't see upgrading the fluid as worthwhile?

[zaphod42]

I love the car history by the way...

"Another 'field car' i bought for £15 as a birthday present for my 12 year old sister. Quick enough for someone who cant see over the wheel and reach the pedals at the same time"

Ace present...

[busta]

The Moose said:

busta said:

It's a 306 snotter that I paid pennies for, I don't think it's made it into my 'garage' yet!

are you actually able to do fast stops in that?!

Well apparently not! Hence the thread