Brake Problem

[RustyDN51]

Hi all, been a while since I've been here last (no problems to chat about lol). Anyway, it was coming up to my Gal's MOT and I knew it'd fail on the brakes, so rather than paying the extortionate prices everyone around leicester seemed to offer I decided to do it myself. Sourced the disc and pads all round for the measly sum off

[sepulchrave]

Now then, did you say you've done ALL the brake pads and discs front and rear?

 

If so they're going to take a fair bit of bedding-in, I suggest you pull the handbrake on until the rears are just dragging slightly and try braking, does the pedal feel harder?

 

If so then your rear calipers are possibly not self-adjusted yet or are seized/damaged.

 

You'll need to give the pedal a fair spanking to get them to come up if there are no other issues.

 

I always advise changing either the fronts OR the rears first and bedding them in thoroughly before changing the rest.

[chromedome]

When you pushed back the caliper pistons, did you undo the bleed nipple or did you push the fluid back into the system.

 

If pushed back into the system you may have "flipped" the seals in the master cylinder. Pushing fluid into the system can also damage the abs.

[RustyDN51]

Right..... Changed the master cylinder, after a few choice words :angry2: But got it done nonetheless, bled everything... pedal went to the floor. Not impressed... decided to bleed more. This helped, lots of air from the rears, nothing from the fronts, but gave me a bit of braking back. Then yesterday decided that there still must be air somewhere so... yep.... more bleeding. No more air, moved the car forward just a few feet and jabbed the brakes; they responded quickly, (plenty of pedal travel though which not too happy about) so tried just forward and back a few times and then the dredded STOP BRAKE FAULT, SERVICE MANUAL warning came on :angry: (which is bloody useless, why doesn't the warning just say TAKE ME TO YOUR DEALER! That's all the book says!) I am now totally baffled Could it be something to do with the ABS? If so how can I test it? Would hooking it up to the Computer tell me anything? I am getting exceedingly frustrated now, HELP!!!

[seatkid]

I think the STOP warning light may have come on because it saw your fluid level dip whn you braked - the fluid may have then returned to the master cylinder. Its fairly likely you have an air lock somewhere. You probably need one of those pressure or vacuum type bleeding kits - maybe some other member knows the right one to use.

 

Have you tried this - 2 persons required

 

 

*Check reservoir full

Open a brake nipple and someone pushes steadily once to the floor and hold

Close brake nipple

Release brake pedal gently

goto * repeat several times for each wheel

 

 

This way makes sure that the air doesnt get pulled back on the up stroke.