Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2002 13:38:45 -0500 From: "Kenneth S." <nimrodnopsams.com> Subject: Re: 9-5 brakes & rotors at 20K miles!!!
Bob wrote: > > On Sat, 19 Jan 2002 18:50:57 -0500, "Kenneth S." <nimrodnopsams.com> > wrote: > > >Simon Putz wrote: > >> > >> hi, > >> > >> does the miata weigh less than the saab? > >> maybe they use different kind of pad material > >> > >> bye > >> > >> simon putz > > > > There's no question, of course, that the Miata weighs much less than > >the Saab. However, I'm not convinced that that's the reason why the > >Saab's brakes appear to be much less effective than the Miata's. > > > > I've owned other cars, including large American V-8s, that are much, > >much heavier than the Saab, and I didn't have the same feeling about > >their brakes. > > American's have always had heavy power assist. Back in the 70's, they > had those awful power brakes with no feel at all... push them 1/4" and > you're at the stops. They've softened them as of late to give a > little more feel. Japanese cars seem to be somewhere in the middle. > Lots of power, good feel. European cars seem to be at the low end on > power... lots of feel, less assist. > > MHO, > Bob I'm not sure that power assistance is the explanation of my problems with the Saab's brakes. I've rented European cars (two Peugeots and a BMW) while on vacation in France for the last three years, and haven't found that European brakes can be categorized as having noticeably less power assistance. The BMW (a diesel 5-series) had brakes that appeared to be fully the equal of the Miata, but the BMW presumably is even heavier than a 900SE. I doubt whether the Saab's lack of braking responsiveness has anything to do with the degree of power assistance. The last time I mentioned this problem, someone here suggested that I should have the brake fluid changed. (The brakes were bled at the last service about a month ago.) If a fluid change would take care of the problem, I would think the Saab dealer would have suggested it when I mentioned my concerns. Does anyone have any experience of the beneficial effects of changing brake fluid? The next step would seem to be a call to Car Talk!