Brakes smoking in the rain

[ryanworth]

Well it's been raining pretty heavy here in Southern CA. Weird thing that I noticed happening ever since the rain came around.

If I am traveling at a decent speed (like 45mph) and come to a steady stop, as soon as I am at a full stop I see smoke coming from my brakes.
I had a buddy drive next to me and watch braking while moving, no smoke. I checked the rotors/pads, everything seems normal.

There is no warping, no noise, no smell. Just smoke when I come to a full stop.
I am running Adam's Rotors with Stoptech pads. I've had no issues with this setup, and everything is still running great.


I'm wondering if it is just the heat from braking rapidly cooling from the rain? I've never seen this before however.

Thanks.
Ryan

[R1NSE]

could it be steam? ... the brakes heating up and the water turning to steam

[ryanworth]

Possibly. But it happens every time. I mean I know that water being heated can create steam. But every time I stop?

I've never seen any car do that before.

[makav3li]

the fact that its only in the rain makes me believe its just steam, between the brakes heating up and being wet, it just creates steam. Get a good smell of them and see if its really a burning smoke smell rather than a steam smell. Otherwise i'd say either check or change your brake pads and you should be fine.

[matthewb2795]

From the amount of rain you guys have been getting out west, I'd imagine its just water steaming off the hot brakes. If everything else seems normal, I can't think of anything else it could be.

On a side note, how do you like those Stoptech pads as far as dust and noise goes?

[ryanworth]

Otherwise i'd say either check or change your brake pads and you should be fine.
The pads are new, only about 3k miles on them.


From the amount of rain you guys have been getting out west, I'd imagine its just water steaming off the hot brakes. If everything else seems normal, I can't think of anything else it could be.

On a side note, how do you like those Stoptech pads as far as dust and noise goes?

They are great! Very responsive, very little dust, and really no noise. They pair up quite well with Adam's rotors too.


I had a feeling it wasn't anything wrong, just wanted to confirm.

[R1NSE]

They are great! Very responsive, very little dust, and really no noise. They pair up quite well with Adam's rotors too.


x2 .... I have the same setup. Less dust than the stock pads and no more squeaking. I also added the SS brake lines when I did mine ... and the car STOPS now. I have had the opportunity to get on my brakes a few times since I installed this setup and they have performed great.

[ryanworth]

x2 .... I have the same setup. Less dust than the stock pads and no more squeaking. I also added the SS brake lines when I did mine ... and the car STOPS now. I have had the opportunity to get on my brakes a few times since I installed this setup and they have performed great.

That's the one thing I forgot to do, maybe I'll go back and replace the lines eventually.

[peta8368]

it is most likely steam. Socal has been so humid lately that 100 degree water create enough steam to be visible. it's a bit funny to see my 18-months-old bathe in water with steam coming off of it, and the water is DEFINITELY not hot.


Peter

[adam's rotors]

just steam...nothing to worry about.

[Dangler]

http://images2.layoutsparks.com/1/135556/make-it-rain-guys.gif

[Homer]

This thread makes me lose faith in humanity.

[ryanworth]

This thread makes me lose faith in humanity.

A big merry fuck you to you too.

=)

[Stewy]

+1, this is probably just steam. If you're concerned that it's smoke, pull your car over, get out...and smell/look at it. As you can imagine, there's a very distinct difference between the two.