5th gen brake help

stal1878 · Post by **stal1878** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:17 pm

Hi chaps.
I am having some trouble with the brakes on my 1997 2.2vti, namely that they don't really work!

I spent 4 hours today cleaning/lubing calipers and sliders and de-glazing the disks and pads.
They now work much better, but only when you slam the brake on.
If you brake softly and slowly such as when your slowing for a junction they don't seem to do much.

I don't think I have any air in the system, but will check tomorrow(do you have to bleed the ABS pump)?
The other thing I am thinking is that the seals in the master cylinder are leaking?

Cheers

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:26 pm

does the pedal go to the floor easily? your gonna have to give us some more info why do you think theres a leak?

stal1878 · Post by **stal1878** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 7:53 am

Pedal doesn't go to the floor, like I said if you pump it hard the car stops fine and the pedal is hard.

If you push it slowly and softly then the pedal will go down about half way without doing much braking, then you have to push hard to actully stop.

Doesn't feel like the normal "air in system", where the pedal will go to the floor and you'll have a bit of braking right at the bottom.

chrismc · Post by **chrismc** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:25 am

Has the brake fluid ever been changed & what disc/pad combination are you using?

Post by **rob quilter** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:30 am

Knackered servo?

stal1878 · Post by **stal1878** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:06 pm

I just got back from bleeding the brakes, put 1 to 2 litres of fluid through the system.
Disks and pads are unkown, they are working OK though as when you slam on the brakes the cars stops well(ABS kicks in).
Servo is working, brakes are much easier to press with the engine running and the vacuum hoses look OK.

Brakes are still poor even after the fluid today, same symtons as before, work ok when you slam them on and don't work if you press them slowly.
I have been told that the ABS pump is open at rest so that shouldn't be an issue.
Leaning towards something going wrong with the brake master cylinder, but its not leaking any fluid.

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:14 pm

could be leaking inside the cabin matey look behind the pedals

Post by **4thgenphil** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:44 pm

mercutio wrote:could be leaking inside the cabin matey look behind the pedals

thats the clutch, brake master cylinder wont leak into the cabin

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 3:37 pm

4thgenphil wrote:
mercutio wrote:could be leaking inside the cabin matey look behind the pedals
thats the clutch, brake master cylinder wont leak into the cabin

yeah your right sorry got carried away there lol

chrismc · Post by **chrismc** » Sat Aug 11, 2012 4:43 pm

I'd be swapping out the unknown pads for OEM at minimum regardless..

Poor pads can make the pedal feel horrible- my brother had the same issue.

Swapped on brembo discs with hawk HP pads & it is transformed!