F430 Scuderia Brake Feel

[nigelonich]

I have driven two F430 Scuds now and they both have a 'wooden' brake feel in comparison to my Stradale and my GT3 which are effective through the travel of the pedal.

Even when hot or up to operating temperature and with new tyres etc the brakes need stood on hard to get the effect desired and then the fronts can lock up at times.

As its happened on two separate cars can anyone offer feedback and a possible resolution as one owner would appreciate it?

[Russell996]

I moved from a CS to a 16M, the Scud brakes should be every bit as progressive as the CS and even more powerful due to the larger size. I do find (as I did with the CS) that after cleaning the car and having it stood for a while that I need to do 3 or 4 moderate stops to get them fully operational. Were they dealer cars you tried with detailing spay on the discs or something similar?

[AmoCS]

nigelonich said:

I have driven two F430 Scuds now and they both have a 'wooden' brake feel in comparison to my Stradale and my GT3 which are effective through the travel of the pedal.

Even when hot or up to operating temperature and with new tyres etc the brakes need stood on hard to get the effect desired and then the fronts can lock up at times.

As its happened on two separate cars can anyone offer feedback and a possible resolution as one owner would appreciate it?

Sounds like seized or stuck brake caliper pistons, A few hard stops should sort them out, or if they are corroded they will need replacing, via Hills or similar.

[hazy]

I drove a brand new car on release years ago and I found exactly the same, that, coupled with the lack of the downshift blip put me off changing my Strad....proved to be a good move LOL.

Would love to add a 16M to my toy box one of the days though....

[marky1]

Could be the pads? I just changed my pads and found them to be much better. I reckon before I bought the car it had not been used much and either pads were glazed or they were never bedded in properly. Bedding in the new ones as per Ferrari instructions has made a huge difference.

[Johnnyforeigner]

I had doubts about the brakes when I first got mine as well. I'm not sure exactly what the cause was but they came good after a long run with a good few aggressive stops from relatively high speed.
Not sure if it was from incorrect bedding in or just an accumulation of 'stuff' on the pads or discs.
For me regular aggressive usage seems to sort them.

[nigelonich]

Thanks. What causes glazing is it hard or light use?

[hazy]

nigelonich said:

Thanks. What causes glazing is it hard or light use?

Light braking from moderately high speed. Aggressive braking cleans any deposits off the discs and pads a treat

[nigelonich]

hazy said:

Light braking from moderately high speed. Aggressive braking cleans any deposits off the discs and pads a treat

It must be a sticking cylinder then as the car is not tracked but is used 'properly'.

I will update when I have news although the dealer checks and found no faults but who knows what that means.

[marky1]

hazy said:

Light braking from moderately high speed. Aggressive braking cleans any deposits off the discs and pads a treat

I think they can go past point of no return though? I tried to bed my old ones in again and they just would not improve.

Edited by marky1 on Tuesday 26th August 16:21

[mwstewart]

A few owners in the states are now switching to steel discs made by Girodisc, due to the binary type level of modulation offered by the CCM braking system. They may be worth a look.


http://www.girodisc.com/Girodisc-Front-2pc-Floatin...

[Jappo]

hazy said:

I drove a brand new car on release years ago and I found exactly the same, that, coupled with the lack of the downshift blip put me off changing my Strad....proved to be a good move LOL.

Would love to add a 16M to my toy box one of the days though....

"Lack of the downshift blip"? Must be something special about mine then.

[AmoCS]

Did you discover the problem with the brakes?