Braking problems?
Discussion
Hello everyone
I've been having some pretty poor brake performance from my car recently. Basically the problem is that you have to push the pedal down quite far for the brakes to actually do any work, but I have noticed that pumping or tapping the brake pedal before braking significantly improves the braking performance.
I've had a bit of a nightmare trying to find out what the problem is, at first I thought I had worn my pads out, however a quick check of the pads in situ showed that they still had plenty of life left. Brake fluid is at the right level within the reservoir and I have been told that it's not due to air in the lines. I took my car to a mechanic who road tested the car and suggested that the pads may have become glazed due to overheating.
Which of these seems most likely to be the culprit, I can't imagine that pumping the pedal before braking would do anything to improve braking performance if the pads are glazed?
Any help would be much appreciated
I've been having some pretty poor brake performance from my car recently. Basically the problem is that you have to push the pedal down quite far for the brakes to actually do any work, but I have noticed that pumping or tapping the brake pedal before braking significantly improves the braking performance.
I've had a bit of a nightmare trying to find out what the problem is, at first I thought I had worn my pads out, however a quick check of the pads in situ showed that they still had plenty of life left. Brake fluid is at the right level within the reservoir and I have been told that it's not due to air in the lines. I took my car to a mechanic who road tested the car and suggested that the pads may have become glazed due to overheating.
Which of these seems most likely to be the culprit, I can't imagine that pumping the pedal before braking would do anything to improve braking performance if the pads are glazed?
Any help would be much appreciated
I thought it would be air in the system too. Would pumping the brakes while the engine is off indicate any signs of air being in the system? When I do this my brake pedal firms up greatly and there is no spongy feeling or travel to the floor.
I started to bleed my brakes the other day with help from a couple of mates, however, when they were tightening the bleed nipple, they said that it was stuck and wouldn't tighten nor loosen and didn't want to risk damaging the nipple so gave up on that idea. That's when I took it to the mechanic who then said it's most likely brake glazing.
I started to bleed my brakes the other day with help from a couple of mates, however, when they were tightening the bleed nipple, they said that it was stuck and wouldn't tighten nor loosen and didn't want to risk damaging the nipple so gave up on that idea. That's when I took it to the mechanic who then said it's most likely brake glazing.
Car stationary, stand on the brakes hard, if pedal creeps down its probably air in the system.
Bleed them closest to master cylinder first.
If no improvement then may be master cylinder seals.
Pumping the brakes to get a pedal is usually air in the system.
Glazing is usual less braking and break fade on a hard stop without loss of pedal pressure.
Bleed them closest to master cylinder first.
If no improvement then may be master cylinder seals.
Pumping the brakes to get a pedal is usually air in the system.
Glazing is usual less braking and break fade on a hard stop without loss of pedal pressure.
PaulKemp said:
Car stationary, stand on the brakes hard, if pedal creeps down its probably air in the system.
The pedal creeping down would indicate a leak in the system, usualy master cylinder seals. A very small amount of air in the system would give a somewhat springy pedal, lots of air means the pedal will go to the floor.Having to pump twice to get a firm pedal is a sign of either some air in the system, or it can also be caused by rear drum brakes with a faulty self adjusting mechanism.
could also be warped discs or worn wheel bearings I think?
(wheel rotating knocks back the pads so you have more travel before you get braking)
Normally you would feel warped discs though the pedal but possibly not dodgy bearings.
I also had something like this when the caliper slide pin was siezed and it was braking mostly with one pad.
(wheel rotating knocks back the pads so you have more travel before you get braking)
Normally you would feel warped discs though the pedal but possibly not dodgy bearings.
I also had something like this when the caliper slide pin was siezed and it was braking mostly with one pad.
brman said:
could also be warped discs or worn wheel bearings I think?
(wheel rotating knocks back the pads so you have more travel before you get braking)
Normally you would feel warped discs though the pedal but possibly not dodgy bearings.
I also had something like this when the caliper slide pin was siezed and it was braking mostly with one pad.
Warped discs would give some sort of judder through the steering wheel as you brake I believe?(wheel rotating knocks back the pads so you have more travel before you get braking)
Normally you would feel warped discs though the pedal but possibly not dodgy bearings.
I also had something like this when the caliper slide pin was siezed and it was braking mostly with one pad.
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