Brakes work better in the rain?
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Fl
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Alright so it seams like any time i drive around in water or it rains really hard and my brakes get wet, they seam to work better. Why is this?
Seasoned Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey and Maryland
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I just noticed that today. I've got quite a bit of travel in my pedal, though it is firm when it finally gets to that point. Been battling a few annoying squeals in the front brakes and so forth over the past few weeks. Got the first good rain in quite a while this morning, and... pedal barely traveled, no squealing, firm braking. No idea.
I WIN!

Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 10,898
Likes: 0
From: Sunny CALIFORNIA :-p
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: BIG! HUGE!
Disc brakes perform better in wet weather, because centrifugal force tends to fling water off the brake disc and keep it dry. I also read that early vehicles used what was called "wet" Brakes like in the 1920's they added oil of some sort to the brakes to get better stopping. and the squeal u hear may be the its almost time to change ur brakes sensor... Lol or plain old dust...
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Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Fl
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
I just noticed that today. I've got quite a bit of travel in my pedal, though it is firm when it finally gets to that point. Been battling a few annoying squeals in the front brakes and so forth over the past few weeks. Got the first good rain in quite a while this morning, and... pedal barely traveled, no squealing, firm braking. No idea.
If you have alot of travel in my brake pedal, try bleeding them.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 34,088
Likes: 257
From: Lantana, Fl
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
Originally Posted by Drewjharper1900
If you have alot of travel in my brake pedal, try bleeding them.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
From: vanburen
Year: 1995 &2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Mine does it too and I have a totally new brake system,from hard lines, pads, brake fluid,rotors and master cylinder, only thing I haven't replaced is the rubber lines yet and I'm saving up for extended lines to replace them with,
Disc brakes perform better in wet weather, because centrifugal force tends to fling water off the brake disc and keep it dry. I also read that early vehicles used what was called "wet" Brakes like in the 1920's they added oil of some sort to the brakes to get better stopping. and the squeal u hear may be the its almost time to change ur brakes sensor... Lol or plain old dust...
And what brake sensor needs to be changed?
I WIN!

Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 10,898
Likes: 0
From: Sunny CALIFORNIA :-p
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: BIG! HUGE!
Because the the disc gets wet, and with the flinging of the water it makes it it work like a squeegee is best way to explain it I gues, and with the sensor Best way to describe that is I have heard it called a DUMMY squeal or DUMMY sensor, when my brakes get low I get a squeal on my JGC. And soon after that if not changed Im metal to metal. Let me look for where I read both of these and post for your enjoyment ;-)


