Washed my car, now brakes are soft

[inv4zn]

So as the title says, I washed my car yesterday, and since then brakes have been weird.

On smooth parking lot floors, if i brake gently, the car will brake very softly, then just stop suddenly with a big jolt.

On roads, the brakes definitely feel a lot softer - almost rear ended someone...

Any ideas why? Did I mess up something? Pads still have some life left..

 

[ryan s]

did you get any wheel cleaner/tire shine/etc in or on the brakes, especially the rotor surface?

 

[DarkSideAccord]

major rotor warpage? did u hose the rotor down when it's still hot?

 

[inv4zn]

No...car was parked overnight before washing, so everything was cold =/

Might have gotten wheel cleaner on rotors/brakes, but I hosed it pretty well I think...what would that have done?

 

[Millz]

if you did get something on the rotor it would dissapear quite quickly i think


go to your mechanic and have him take a good look at your brakes/brake lines

 

[knighthawk1104]

slipping maybe. the wheel cleaners might make it harder for the pads to grip the rotors. just a thought.

 

[HondaLuver83]

Dont worry about worping the rotors, they are not made of aluminum. Its normal if you get soap, or grease on the rotors, or if you get the pads wet. It will go away soon

 

[inv4zn]

Hmm - alright haha; I'll wait a few days and get it checked out if it continues

Just kinda scared me after almost rear-ending someone...

=) thanks as usual everyone

 

[SykVSyx]

Sounds like just some wheel cleaner on there, don't think you have any major problem with the rotors.

 

[knighthawk1104]

when i use wheel cleaner i tend to get a noise when i let go of the brake slightly. wondering if you have that too