[zshowket]

Recently had a local very reputable shop swap out brakes lines and flush the system. When I returned to the track yesterday I noticed in left hand turns the dash brake light comes on (not abs light). I checked the fluid level and everything seems fine there.

The bigger problem is my brakes are seizing. I was not able to complete the last 2 sessions as a result. I felt a vibration in turn 9 (Sonoma Raceway) so I pitted to take a look and found nothing. Went back out the next session and it was gone and all was good. All the sudden I felt the same vibration exiting 6 after a few laps. I slowed through the esses with a hand up and by the time I got into the paddock the brakes were dragging enough that I had to fight to get back to my pits. I almost did not make it all the way. After she sits for 20 min it is like it never happened.

Near the end of last year I had felt the same vibration in turn 9 time towards the end of a couple track sessions. I thought I had picked up some debris from the track since it was a hot day but found nothing when I pulled in. I am thinking the new lines have now shown me a problem that I had before - now just worse since the brake lines are not flexing.

I am thinking a bad master cylinder? Not letting the brake fluid back into the reservoir? Not sure about the ABS module or how that might play into things. Final info: 2005 Elise, stocks calipers, CL6 brakes pads, Blackwatch Racing 2 piece rotors and brake lines.

Any thoughts and suggestions?

 

[zshowket]

Front or rear or all 4?

All 4.

 

[zshowket]

FYI: The dash brake light can be the alignment of the switch in cap on top of the reservoir.

Any chance you can enlighten me on the correct alignment? Much appreciated

 

[zshowket]

Thanks uncle sam - I will play around with this and probably clean it as well. As you stated - 2 different problems.

Tell me more about the "vibration" - was it in the pedal like ABS or the entire car? Also are you saying that it was hard to get back to the paddock because effectively all the brakes were "on" - meaning pressure to the pads so they were pressing on the rotors?

The vibration came from the rear of the car, felt exactly like a wheel was out of balance. Nothing in the pedal itself - hind sight tells me it was the rear brakes overheating. When it did it sooner on the track I had the entire system heat up and yes, all 4 brakes were engaged. When I got to the paddock there was so much pressure on the rotors I almost did not make it back to my pits. When I turned the car she stalled and I had to force her to move the last 15 feet with throttle and clutch.

So far someone has suggested front pistons are sticking from brake dust and rear calipers need to be rebuilt. I just installed wavy front pistons - stainless steel I believe - and installed fresh seals at the same time. Rears are still stock.

 

[zshowket]

Vulcan Grey:

I have not had a chance to check the fluid at the caliper yet. The peddle was never soft. I have had this happen now with 2 different pad compounds, Pagid Blacks, and CL6's. I am not fast enough to over heat the pads although my ego flinches when I admit that

What you are describing is exactly what I am experiencing. Although I would doubt that a stock elise with Toyo 888 with over 6 track days on the tires is capable of that much heat in the brakes when I was not even pushing it. Just bouncing around the track at a nice pace in order to setup my Nitrons to a base line.

 

[zshowket]

realrundell: I do not think you are beating a point to death at all. Just backing up what others have said. After reading your post I am not 100% confident that it is all 4 brakes. Considering the fronts have been rebuilt and what a number of people have said I think I will take apart the caliper and replace the crank the seals and the pins and hardware.