[sr71bb]

I had originally posted this in another forum but because it is safety related specifically to brakes I am posting it here also:

BRAKE FAILURE at TRACK
Well at the track yesterday I had a brake failure basically due to my own stupidity so I will share it with you guys so that you can avoid the mistake I made.

I was going 100+ approaching a corner and when I applied the brakes I had NO PEDAL pressure whatsoever. I went off and basically kept the car as straight as posssible so that it wouldnt dig into the dirt and grass sideways. As long a you arent approaching a barrier of some sort it is always best to NOT try and steer the car which might possibly cause one of the tires to dig in and throw it sideways and make it violently change directions.

Anyhow upon inspection AFTER the incident, I had found that the passenger side brake line has come loose. If you look at a post earlier in this thread ( https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602092) you will see that I had powdercoated the front calipers. So basically I had removed the brake lines of course at that time to take the caliper assembly off.

Now, where the mistake was made was when I reinstalled the calipers I DID NOT check the position of the brake lines to see if there was enough slack in the lines when the car was steered full left or full right.

So over a period of time, the brake line got loose because it was pulling against the line because there was not enough slack at the full right position. This eventually loosened the line enough where it lost brake pressure on the right caliper entirely.

THERE you have it. A self induced incident. I remember repositioning the brake line to get better access to the caliper 18MM bolts but I forgot to put the line back in its original position. Also remember there is a crush washer on either side of the brake line eyelet (7/16" bolt). If you dont install these properly the line will leak.
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[Z28GTOSSMike]

I'm always impressed when people can admit their own mistakes. Nice safety tip.

[DaveC113]

Glad you're ok!

[sr71bb]

Originally Posted by DaveC113

Glad you're ok!

THX Dave. It definitely was one of those WTF moments!!!

[sr71bb]

Originally Posted by Z28GTOSSMike

I'm always impressed when people can admit their own mistakes. Nice safety tip.

Stick around. I try ALOT of shit so mistakes are not uncommon!!!

[Eric10905]

Thanks for warning Greg. Hope no other damage to the car.

What I would love to see are some pics of the routing- any chance? Want to make sure I didn't accidently mess mine up either. I take lots of pics before I do stuff, as I don't trust my aging memory.

[sr71bb]

Originally Posted by Eric10905

Thanks for warning Greg. Hope no other damage to the car.

What I would love to see are some pics of the routing- any chance? Want to make sure I didn't accidently mess mine up either. I take lots of pics before I do stuff, as I don't trust my aging memory.

Well I will get pics tonight but basically you turn the steering wheel as far to the right and left as possible and just make sure there is still at least a little slack left in the brake line at the full right and full left positions. If it is pulling the line tight with no slack then simply loosen the brake line bolt enough to move the line slightly so that you do have a little slack.

[sr71bb]

Originally Posted by Eric10905

Thanks for warning Greg. Hope no other damage to the car.

What I would love to see are some pics of the routing- any chance? Want to make sure I didn't accidently mess mine up either. I take lots of pics before I do stuff, as I don't trust my aging memory.

Here below are pics of a properly installed brake line on the passenger side brake caliper. The first pic was taken with the steering wheel at the extreme RIGHT limit. Notice there is still some slack in the brake line. The second and third images are taken in the full left limit. ALSO notice there is still SOME slack in the line.

The brake lines you are seeing here are GOODRIDGE stainless steel brake lines (NOT STOCK). Also look closely at the FIRST pic again and you will see TWO brass crush washers around the banjo end of the brake line. One is BELOW the banjo on the caliper side and the other one is on the other side of the banjo just underneath the 7/16" nut.

[Eric10905]

Thanks Greg

[sr71bb]

Originally Posted by Eric10905

Thanks Greg

No Problem Eric!!!

[Dabjbr]

Great post and respect the humbleness to share. Bravo sir

[sr71bb]

Originally Posted by Dabjbr

Great post and respect the humbleness to share. Bravo sir

Thanks DAB!! As I got older I realized that we can learn much more from our failures than our successes. IF we allow ourselves to share those failure experiences with others then hopefully we can all collectively benefit.

There is ALWAYS someone out there perhaps has a better way of doing things than you did. One just has to be open minded enough to benefit from it.

APPRECIATE it sir!!!