Woo! MOT passed but brakes a bit weak!

[Trevor68]

Another MOT pass for the old girl and nearly a 13 month ticket. Big sigh of relief!! []

However, there were comments made about the spongy brake pedal feel and the weakish rear brakes - I was thinking what I could do to fix this - pads all round seemed a good start followed by braided hoses along with a caliper inspection for plate lift and new fluid. Would expect significant improvement with that lot providing any plate lift issues are sorted.

What do the collective gurus think and recommend?


Cheers

Rik

 

[Cater_Racer]

when did you last change the brake fluid Rik, that's the place to start.

Disks and pads are easy.

Changing hoses should be easy BUT if things are corroded together it can be a nightmare!!!

 

[Trevor68]

I haven't changed the fluid in my ownership so it must be three years. Best get it changed!

A good DOT4 fluid and an Easibleed will be ordered soon!

Many thanks

 

[Hilux]

ORIGINAL: Trevor68

Another MOT pass for the old girl and nearly a 13 month ticket. Big sigh of relief!! []

However, there were comments made about the spongy brake pedal feel and the weakish rear brakes - I was thinking what I could do to fix this - pads all round seemed a good start followed by braided hoses along with a caliper inspection for plate lift and new fluid. Would expect significant improvement with that lot providing any plate lift issues are sorted.

What do the collective gurus think and recommend?


Cheers

Rik

I cant believe three year old brake fluid is the fault.

I personally would be looking at the M/C and the servo

Rubber brake hoses can delaminate and if pressurised fluid gets into the laminate it balloons the hose shut

Rubber brake hoses can swell

An inner m/c seal may be letting by but the rear is holding

Alternatively it is leaking into the servo

The servo could be leaking - check the condition of the vacuum pipes to the servo

If the servo has a one way check - valve test it

Check the servo itself as the rubber seal at the bottom can perish if its been contaminated with brake fluid.

Water in servos has been known to rot them out at the bottom

 

[Lowtimer]

I was about to suggest the same sort of thing as Paul as a possibility alongside caliper plate lift.

 

[J4CKO]

My brakes arent bad, not as good as my Saab was but still good and have improved as the car has been used more, have noticed they are at their best once I have given them some stick !

Considering doing the braided hoses, have always wanted to try it on a car, any pointers, opinions ?

 

[bighead]

ORIGINAL: J4CKO

My brakes arent bad, not as good as my Saab was but still good and have improved as the car has been used more, have noticed they are at their best once I have given them some stick !

Considering doing the braided hoses, have always wanted to try it on a car, any pointers, opinions ?

get them braided hose on !!......once you tried it, you will never make do with standard rubber ones

 

[J4CKO]

Can get them on Ebay for about 40/50 quid, they ok ?

 

[bighead]

I would go Goodridge as you get what you pay for

 

[Eldavo]

I used HEL ones, 10% off from one of the websites.

 

[Trevor68]

Cheers Paul, sound suggestions which I hadn't even considered! I'll investigate the servo and master cylinder. The rear hoses at least should be ok as they were replaced a couple of years ago when the bearings and driveshafts were done. Fronts are much older though.