Bad Brake fade while going down obstacles

[mx5red]

That seems like a design flaw

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[dcmdon]

I understand you're being very specific with the word fade, however it's still brake fade (reduce in friction) the braking system fades away it doesn't have to be from heat but yes that's most common. Loss of stopping power, or fade, can be caused by friction fade, mechanical fade, or fluid fade.

All of which are caused by heat.

You can call it what you want. You've done an excellent job describing the situation and the things you have done to try to remedy it on your own.

Bad master cylinder?
If the ABS was bleeding off brake pressure, I'm about 80% sure you would hear or feel it working.
Bad brake booster? I don't have any idea how these brakes are boosted. I'm assuming some kind of electric motor.

 

[1is2many]

I don’t know if it matters for this, but why do you put it in neutral to use the brakes?

example would be, riding downhill on a bicycle and trying to stop so you apply the brakes except you keep pedaling. There are times where putting the vehicle in neutral would be the equivalent to stopping pedaling in the given example.

sometimes the diesel in 4low helps control the descent with engine braking and other times it doesn’t.

 

[Jems007]

I also have experienced this issue. I’ve never opened the brake system but I am running 37s. I’m at 50k miles or so and plan to change pads and rotors this weekend.

 

[fmotley]

I just had exactly what you describe happen to me. I was descending on a very steep shelf road with very tight switchbacks and while shunting a turn, my brake pedal went to the floor. I had to use my emergency brake to stop from going over the ledge. Quite the pucker moment. I am going to try different rotors and pads, offered by Rebel Off-Road. I don't think it's an air issue as I didn't experience at all on the highway driving home. It may be that with the heavier vehicle, larger tires, the torque of low range 1st gear, and the decline, it was just more than the stock brakes could handle.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I just had exactly what you describe happen to me. I was descending on a very steep shelf road with very tight switchbacks and while shunting a turn, my brake pedal went to the floor. I had to use my emergency brake to stop from going over the ledge. Quite the pucker moment. I am going to try different rotors and pads, offered by Rebel Off-Road. I don't think it's an air issue as I didn't experience at all on the highway driving home. It may be that with the heavier vehicle, larger tires, the torque of low range 1st gear, and the decline, it was just more than the stock brakes could handle.

It’s a real thing. For what it’s worth, I tried lessening the problem with upgraded rotors and pads, and it made almost no difference. On the road it’s way better. But 4:1 low range with 5.13:1 gears and 37” tires win every time over factory 2 cylinder calipers. The rears are only single cylinder calipers. My next large upgrade will be a true big brake kit.

 

[Vtur]

It’s a real thing. For what it’s worth, I tried lessening the problem with upgraded rotors and pads, and it made almost no difference. On the road it’s way better. But 4:1 low range with 5.13:1 gears and 37” tires win every time over factory 2 cylinder calipers. The rears are only single cylinder calipers. My next large upgrade will be a true big brake kit.

Agreed. Tundra, Silverado etc all came with non floating 4 pistons calipers for over 10yrs now. I felt our brake is under sized as soon i put 37s on.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Is this unique to deisels? I run 37s on my mojave and have never had "fade" of any type. I got air in my lines once and fixed it pretty easily.

edit. I also went to Motul High performance DOT4 fluid over the Mopar Dot 3

 

[WILDHOBO]

Agreed. Tundra, Silverado etc all came with non floating 4 pistons calipers for over 10yrs now. I felt our brake is under sized as soon i put 37s on.

Of course, those are full sized trucks. I think the brakes are fine for a stock build. But they need to be upgraded for big heavy builds

 

[WILDHOBO]

Is this unique to deisels? I run 37s on my mojave and have never had "fade" of any type. I got air in my lines once and fixed it pretty easily.

edit. I also went to Motul High performance DOT4 fluid over the Mopar Dot 3

Nope. I have a 3.6.

 

[Vtur]

Is this unique to deisels? I run 37s on my mojave and have never had "fade" of any type. I got air in my lines once and fixed it pretty easily.

Pretty much riding the brake most of the time descending on diesel in 4low.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Nope. I have a 3.6.

weird. I had a fade issue on my Tundra that i could never figure out. And it had 4 piston front calipers.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Pretty much riding the brake most of the time descending on diesel in 4low.

does it idle crawl too fast? I though that 4:1 case with a super low idle would have ya creepin.

 

[WILDHOBO]

weird. I had a fade issue on my Tundra that i could never figure out. And it had 4 piston front calipers.

I can’t speak to a Tundra, but my JT brakes can’t handle my weight in 4 low on a descent. I’ve used the parking brake a few clicks several times.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I can’t speak to a Tundra, but my JT brakes can’t handle my weight in 4 low on a descent. I’ve used the parking brake a few clicks several times.

what pad and fluid ya running? the oem mopar pads seem to start losing bite after a little mud and few hard descents. but I've never had a 4lo push though issue. My Tundra did though.

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