My Fiero caught on fire! (Page 4/4)
David Hambleton JUL 31, 11:49 AM
You should get a BRAKE sign lighting up on the instrument cluster now too.
pmbrunelle JUL 31, 02:11 PM
Sticking brakes should be noticeable when it takes more throttle than usual to get the car rolling.

I bet your senses will be tuned for sticky brakes now!
Dennis LaGrua JUL 31, 08:18 PM
Fires can happen in any classic car. Glad that you were able to save yours. That is why I travel with three fire extinguishers. One behind the seat the other up front under the hood on the left fender and one in the trunk. I have too much invested in my 87GT to let it all go up in smoke. On a separate note I have a friend that extinguished his Fiero brake fire with a 16 oz bottle of ice tea. Like the OP thats all he had but it worked.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

theogre AUG 01, 12:37 AM

quote
Originally posted by pmbrunelle:
Sticking brakes should be noticeable when it takes more throttle than usual to get the car rolling.

I bet your senses will be tuned for sticky brakes now!

This is Not true in many cases. Just 1 pad or some to all dragging can make huge problems or a fire and often won't need noticeable gas pedal.

Other cars have sticky sliders parts and drag the pads to death very fast and only reason don't have big fade or some other symptoms is because front rotors are huge and vented compared to Fiero and other small cars. Many Rear rotors are solid but way bigger Fiero too hind heat issues. Many cars have 15" and bigger to allow bigger brake like Disk on Drum rears so can use Cheap Disk calipers and P-bake separate using a very simple drum setup.

Example: Many Kia and others have very "floating" calipers on own booted sliders but also have SS Pad "sliders"/"springs" holding each pad end.
Pad SS sliders causes plane iron/steal to rust and "crush" the sliders and pads so the pads can't release right.
Just had $800 front brake job w/ new rotors and pads just for front axle because of this on 3 year old car. As soon as weather is cooled enough to work, I will pull the front and check to see if they clean and lube the slider area.

(SS pad part are tight and tough hold pads so won't rattle etc. but have to take huge loads when you brake. And SS protect the bracket too preventing bracket wear that Fiero and others have. Thin coat of brake grease on steal bracket stops water cause rust between parts but most don't bother not even the car factory.)

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 08-01-2020).]

Zentaury AUG 03, 05:31 PM

quote
Originally posted by David Hambleton:

You should get a BRAKE sign lighting up on the instrument cluster now too.



Now I removed the E-brake because installed the Grand Am in the rear.

I had the BRAKE light on before, but it was because the combination valve. I just did some research here on the Forum on how to shut it off.

Unplug the wire in the front trunk, plug it back, press hard the pedal with the engine running in parking. Now the BRAKE light is OFF.