Poor braking in rain?

318TItalia · 10-23-2007, 06:30 AM

I was driving home from work today on the highway during a rain storm. I have about a 35 minute drive home. About half way home I hit my brakes to slow down a bit for the construction zone coming up. Nothing happened!

It was like someone sprayed my brakes with wd-40. After a few seconds they started grabbing. From then on they were normal unless I would drive awhile w/o hitting them, then they would do the same thing. Once off the highway 35mph and lower I could not repeat the braking action.
Does everyone just think the pads and rotors are shot? They make no noise and stop well during regular driving (no rain). The only thing I can think of is the pads are glazed. I've only had the car a week or two and this is my first drive in a decent rain storm with it. Thanks for any help, Steve

**1996 328ti** · 10-23-2007, 11:56 AM

I think it was just no friction between your tires and the road.
Traction is greatly reduced in the rain.

zboot · 10-23-2007, 06:31 PM

A lack of friction between the tires and the road would cause his tires to slide. What he's describing is more like a lack of friction between the brakes pads and his rotors.

318TItalia · 10-23-2007, 06:55 PM

I was thinking hydroplaning as well but wouldn't the abs kick on? Also I was only going about 60mph and just gently pushed the brakes to get down to 50mph construction zone coming up. It was really weird.

CirrusSR22 · 10-23-2007, 06:57 PM

I'm guessing it's a tire issue. While wet rotors/pads have a very slight impact on braking effectiveness, I don't see how your brakes would basically just stop working when they're wet.

Bluebimma · 10-23-2007, 07:23 PM

What pads are you using? I forget the name of the pads that are out on the market, but im sure they were ceramics that had decent ratings in the dry, but in the rain they were total garbage. Ill try and find the reviews on the brand, but there were many people with different brands of cars with 100-300hp that gave the practical same review about the pads sucking in wet conditions.

**1996 328ti** · 10-23-2007, 08:41 PM

I use ceramic pads. They are fine in all conditions.
When the road is slick all bets are off.

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