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#1
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Frozen Brakes?
The love/hate relationship continues.
I hadn't driven the car since Wednesday until this morning. It was really cold (-8F) when I backed out of the driveway. I then drove down our street and, at the first turn, the brakes felt very stiff like there was no assist. I stomped on them and, slowly, the braking improved. After that the braking felt mostly normal. MAYBE, I need to put a bit more pressure on the brake when trying to brake hard. I don't normally need to brake hard so it is hard for me to say if it really is weaker. I usually drive pretty smooth with soft starts and stops over long distances. Thoughts? I had all of the fluids done somewhat recently. (a few months ago) I had a weird braking experience coming out of a car wash on a cold day a while back that might be similar and/or related but maybe I was just skidding on the ice at the car wash exit.
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#2
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Re: Frozen Brakes?
Hi,
What kind of pads? The metallics such as PBR Metalmasters can act like that in the cold...
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Cheers! Gordon 1997 Ebony #308 113k "The Black Diva"SOLD 1992 Black over Liquid Silver 152k SOLD 1992 Ebony 251k 444 SOLD 1999 Silver SLK230 134k SOLD 1997 Green Outback 137k SOLD 2013 Honda Accord I4 SOLD 2015 Subaru Crosstrek 30k 2018 Tesla M3 30k |
#3
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Re: Frozen Brakes?
Going with the pads on this one. Anything else and you'd notice a drag/pull from one side to the other, followed by the pungent smell of pad.
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John '05 STI '00 2.5RS |
#4
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Re: Frozen Brakes?
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I mean, I REALLY had to stomp on the brake pedal! But only once......
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#5
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Re: Frozen Brakes?
I experience this often when it is very cold out (-20 degC or colder). On both svx, my wife's 01 Outback and the old 90 legacy. In most cases the pedal responds okay after the first application. In other cases (like today) half a dozen or so applications.
It feel like exactly like there is no vacuum assist. Not sure what causes this but brakes always okay after they function correctly once. Never dug into this but I expect there maybe a check valve in the brake booster that maybe frozen in place. Maybe someone has more information to help explain. The brakes feel worse than normal application without vacuum assist was normally the engine ilde is higher because it is still cold. Something I was taught years ago was to test all safety systems before you drive way. Move a couple of feet and then do a brake test.
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1992 (JDM) CXD Ebony Pearl 90K km written off hail damage 1996 (CDN) Lsi, Polo Green, 296,000 km 2009 Legacy Spec B |
#6
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Re: Frozen Brakes?
Now that is a good idea!
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-Jason (8/23/07-Present) 1995 Subaru SVX LSi (197k) Polo Green (#1102) 03/95 Mods: DDM Tuning 4500k 35w Low Beam HID, 100w H3 Bulbs, Extra Ground Cables, 15 minute $12.96 mod, svxfiles designed transmission mount (), sporting a "new" tail light bar, silver BBS rims, custom power steering cooler (one that doesn't dump ATF constantly), new negative lead cable, no more third or fourth gear (1977-Present) 1977 Chevrolet Corvette (81k) Silver (12/01/2011-Present) 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 5MT (97k) I have a bad feeling about this. -Obi Wan Kenobi |
#7
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Re: Frozen Brakes?
Outbacks and Legacys are famous for this. Our '97 Outback does it when it's blistering cold but I've never had it happen on the SVXs.
It is a sticking valve and has quite a few threads about it on http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/...archid=1322492 |
#8
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Re: Frozen Brakes?
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Ironically, I sold a 1997 Outback to buy this car and that car never did this. I hate to say it but I am getting closer and closer to being done with Subarus. I loved that 1997 Outback but every car since has had "issues". Even the Tribeca has its issues. The front sway bar bushings die every 30-35K, there is an annoying timing chain whine, the gas mileage is mediocre at best, the front rotors have a tendency to warp and I get a faint burning smell every time I climb a steep hill. My 2002 Outback had the same odd burning smell on hill climbs among other issues and numerous recalls. I may just bite the bullet and get the Honda Crossover when we are ready for a car purchase again.
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#9
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Re: Frozen Brakes?
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If you by chance are talking about your SVX, that smells like a blown head gasket to me. Mine did the same way, especially on hotter days, but I had over 200,000 miles on mine. Good luck with the brakes also. Keith |
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