• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Boiled brake fluid..sticking calipers?

  • Thread starter Thread starter merc123
  • Start date Start date Jun 21, 2010

merc123

Active Member
Jan 27, 2003
420
2
39
North GA
Jun 21, 2010
#1
  • Jun 21, 2010
  • #1
On my way home from work today (in traffic...used lower gear mostly for braking) and about half way through the traffic I felt something like brake fade. I didn't think anything of it and didn't use my brakes enough to realize anything different until I stopped for gas. I noticed it was definitely not a firm pedal and a little longer to stop.

I checked the master cylinder and there was fluid on the valve cover and down the sides of the reservoir. Took it to the mechanic and he said no leaks and he thinks it boiled the fluid. Both front brakes had red dust on the wheels and had turned the rotors a brownish color. The RF wheel center cap even fell out (assuming it got so hot it melted out). Got back out on the road after it cooled and I had a good firm pedal. Made it out on the highway and went to hit the brakes and sure enough felt faded. Pulled into gas station and it sounded like water on a hot rotor on the LF caliper.

The car's been sitting in storage for about a 1.5 years on jack stands and have driven it about 2,000 miles since I got it out of storage. I also just did a brake fluid flush with Prestone DOT3 so it's fresh fluid. It's still clear. What should I do or replace?
 
K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
4,749
95
134
Jun 21, 2010
#2
  • Jun 21, 2010
  • #2
Sounds like the calipers are froze up.
 

merc123

Active Member
Jan 27, 2003
420
2
39
North GA
Jun 21, 2010
#3
  • Jun 21, 2010
  • #3
Perfect... Should I go OEM or aftermarket?
 

aar0s

Founding Member
Dec 20, 1998
1,015
55
69
Jun 21, 2010
#4
  • Jun 21, 2010
  • #4
sounds like a good reason to upgrade to me.
 
K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
4,749
95
134
Jun 22, 2010
#5
  • Jun 22, 2010
  • #5
I would just go with PBR refurbs from the auto parts store. They are extremely low cost.

I posted #2 from an iTouch did not feel like typing a whole lot. What I was trying to say is that I think one or more calipers seized from lack of use and is constantly grabbing onto the rotor. This is causing massive amounts of heat which is cooking the fluid, the rotor, the pads, and the caliper. The heat is also causing the continual brake fade. The rotor is probably warped as well from the heating and braking. I would not recommend driving the car until this is corrected.

Once you determine which caliper(s) are affected you will need to replace them as well as most likely needing a new rotor due to warpage. You will also most likely need to install new pads. The fluid is toast also and will need replaced.
 

merc123

Active Member
Jan 27, 2003
420
2
39
North GA
Jun 22, 2010
#6
  • Jun 22, 2010
  • #6
It's parked. I'm driving my truck now. It looks like both front will need to be re-done. I can't seem to find any PBR replacements from Advance Auto or O-reilly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Strange steering/brake issue
  • Haxmaster
  • Jun 2, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
1
Views
72
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jun 3, 2026
squeak93
S
Brake issue after changing pads and rotors
  • squirrel0420
  • Jul 14, 2025
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
15
Views
795
2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk- Jul 18, 2025
nickyb
1970 brake issue. Bad booster or?
  • All Stock93
  • May 13, 2025
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
10
Views
703
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Sep 13, 2025
All Stock93
J
2003 convertible front brakes sticking
  • jamesbanasky
  • Jul 9, 2025
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
287
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Sep 6, 2025
jamesbanasky
J
9
Brakes Rear brakes feel stuck after replacing pads and rotors
  • 99stanggtvinx
  • Aug 31, 2024
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
1
Views
514
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Sep 1, 2024
nickyb
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?