Heavy rain yesterday. Brakes feel different today.

[SZR48207]

We had some serious flash flooding yesterday when I was driving home, and I had to go through a few areas where it felt like the water was about 8"-12" deep on the road. My truck has ground clearance of around 9" to 10" from the ground to the bottom side of my doors (so any water at the wheel/tire would have been almost halfway).

I noticed this morning when backing out of my driveway that my brakes were squeaking. Not terribly unusual since it does happen often after washing the vehicle.

But, when braking normally in traffic, it seems like the brakes feel MUCH firmer, but stopping distance feels longer.

I'm confused?

 

[KrisZ]

If the brakes were fairly hot and got cooled down quickly by water, the pads may have glazed a little, that's why you have firm brake pedal but less braking force.

 

[SZR48207]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
If the brakes were fairly hot and got cooled down quickly by water, the pads may have glazed a little, that's why you have firm brake pedal but less braking force.


Ah good point. That seems very possible. Would normal driving repair the glazed pad problem?

 

[KrisZ]

Yes the glazing, provided it's not severe, should be removed by normal driving.

 

[hate2work]

Or you could re-bed them with several passes from 50 mph down to 5 mph. Let them cool well before stopping completely.

 

[mechtech2]

Do you have rear drums?
Water is tough to get in normally, but if it is flooded, changes are sure to be noted.