Where did the brake fluid go?

[ak]

I just noticed that my brake fluid is about 1/2" below MAX level line. I could swear it was topped off before I took it to a track event 2 month ago. I don't have any apparent leaks anywhere. My master cylinder is clean and I don't see any leaks on the calipers. Could this mean, I may need caliper rebuild??

-ak

 

[canuck]

As your pads wear out, the fluid level drops. The pistons on the calipers move farther out to compensate for worn pads, hence lower fluid level.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

ak,

I would say you used your brakes at the track, got them good and hot and you are seeing the results of pad wear!! As the pads wear, the caliper psitons move outward, as they move outward the space behind them in the bore is taken up by brake fluid from the reservior.

You can take note as to the level vs. pad wear and this is a good way to easily check your pad wear at the track.

I would check your pad thinkness to see how far gone they are. I am sure when you replace them the fluid level will return.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[ak]

uhh...duhhh. Goes to show how smart I am... thanks...

Should I top the fluid off or is it ok as long as it's not below the MIN marker?

 

[jrehner]

WEll I would top the level off unless you are replacing the pads shortly.

 

[Briank]

I would not fill to max line unless you have all brand new pads installed. Add enough to keep above the Min line. Even with the level at Min replacing fully warn pads can over flow master cylinder.

 

[POWERED by HONDA]

Personaly, I would only fill it if it's below and only to the MINimum line. To fill it to MAXimum right now would cause an overflow when you replace the brake pads.

 

[jrehner]

Lets hope he does not forget to check the brake fluid level the next time after he goes to the track. Without knowing how much pad was left to begin with, there could be a lot more wear left and the level will end up below minimum at some point if it's not watched.

 

[ak]

Lets hope he does not forget to check the brake fluid level the next time after he goes to the track. Without knowing how much pad was left to begin with, there could be a lot more wear left and the level will end up below minimum at some point if it's not watched.

The fluid was topped off last year when I got 60k service. Right now it's about 1cm below Max which is still very full. I'll be checking it more often...don't worry I carry a bottle of brake fluid when I go to the track just in case, so it should be ok. Thanks all for the inputs.

ak