Anyone experience a 'brake fade' kind of feel?

[CubSmurf]

2017 XLT

I was out for a quick trip for lunch (truck been sitting all morning) and I noticed my brake pedal felt slightly 'different'. The pedal travel seemed slightly longer but it still stopped just fine.

To be safe, I stopped by the dealer and they checked out the brakes and saw nothing out of the ordinary except some dirty fluid. Plenty of pads front and rear.

I remember seeing another member have a story about losing fluid with no apparent leak.

So I had them flush the brake fluid and went on my way.

I don't know if I'm losing it or what. Anyone seen this?

 

[Trainmaster]

Could be several things or could be nothing. Could be a worn seal in the master cylinder, though that should have lit the brake light. Could be an antilock brake issue, or a vacuum issue.

Many drivers notice that the brakes in these trucks are somewhat "spongy". In addition to several service issues, the somewhat unusual pedal feel is characteristic of this vehicles.

If you continue to have issues, you may wish to check the front brake hoses among the usual culprits. They can deteriorate internally and cause the described problem.

 

[CubSmurf]

Thanks, Train! No error messages. I'll just keep an eye on it for now.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

It could be the brakes themselves as well. We put a set of Raybestos on my wife's car a few years ago and the brakes went from buttery smooth to super spongy. Would never buy those again.

 

[Trainmaster]

We put a set of Raybestos on my wife's car a few years ago and the brakes went from buttery smooth to super spongy.

I just had the same experience with a Jeep. The old Raybestos name is now just put on some real junky stuff. I suspected problems as soon as I took them out of their box.

 

[IIGood]

Many drivers notice that the brakes in these trucks are somewhat "spongy". In addition to several service issues, the somewhat unusual pedal feel is characteristic of this vehicles.

This is somewhat "comforting" to hear. I've owned my 2010 for a year and a half and the brake pedal has always felt a bit soft (though if I let off the brakes and then immediately reapply them, the pedal firms up a bit). But the brakes are always responsive. I just had the truck in for another maintenance service and while it was there, I asked them to check the brake pads...I haven't had the brakes done since I've owned it, and I have no idea when they were last services, so at 167K+ miles I figured I'd at least have them checked. The shop said the pads still had plenty of material left so I felt a bit better.

 

[MADEXP]

Interesting post and timely...yes, I had the dealer replace all rotors and brake pads bc of the strange pedal which I could not describe to the dealer, but the tech agree with me. After all the work done, I think the "feel" is gone.