Technical Service steps to do after the brakes have overheated / started smoking

[ltz]

So. after quite some miles in the alps with a loaded ducato l3 I breaked too much going downhill.
- Break fluid boil on forward breaks. resulting in less breaking capability front. Fortunately just a few turns away from the destination parking lot.
- When parked --> Smell/smoke from both forward breaks during 20 minutes.
- Still residue smell from breaks the day after.
- All break feels normal the day after. Brake fluid was 2 months old.

So I'm sitting here ordering new discs in the front (thinking they are too worn out for decline driving. Works just fine on flat country driving.
To order/change:
- New discs. Worn out from the beginning is probably a contributing reason to the boiling.
- New pads since the over heating could have damaged them.
- New brake caliper piston seals?` I'm thinking it was really hot down there? Or would they be ok since I drove 1000 km home with just working breaks.?
- New piston dust seals depending on how these look..?
- Change brake fluid again. (even thou its only 2 months old)

What's reasonable to change after "a boil"?

Also - what diameter on the front caliper pistons does a x290 2017 ducato l3 have? (280mm break discs)

 

[Anthony489]

Hi

I don't think worn out discs will have caused this problem, unless they were much thinner than normal. However, if you change the pads it is still nice to change the discs too so that everything is flat and will bed in quickly. Brake fluid is not expensive to change.

I doubt if the rubber components (piston seals, dust seals) need changing unless you can see that they have altered appearance due to heat.

The smell may take some time to disappear !

 

[ltz]

ok thanks. perhaps Ill wait with the dust seals/ piston seals.. they do seam like a fairly cheap thing to change once I understand which sizes are needed. 48/52, 46 48 etc.. lots of sizes suggested from autodoc

 

[ltz]

what is making the smell? burned oil/grease residue from bolts/fittings?

 

[LandyAndy]

I would just change the front pads, and the brake fluid. I very much doubt anything else will be required. Brakes are designed knowing they get very hot.

 

[Anthony489]

Hi

I think the smell is most likely from the resin binder used in the brake pads.