Brakes don't work
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: St Paul MN
Brakes don't work
So I decided last fall that I was going to rebuild my calipers, as they were original and worn out pretty badly. I went through the rebuild without so much as a hitch, and replaced my rotors/pads at the same time. Ever since, my brakes have essentially not worked at all. If I smash the brake pedal all of the way to the floor, I get a little bit of braking power, but not much. Obviously, this makes the car all but undriveable.
Any thoughts on what could be causing this?? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
-Colin
Any thoughts on what could be causing this?? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
-Colin
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Two quick items...
System not bled properly... air in the system.
Master cylinder went bad as a result of/during the bleeding process.
Both of the above.
As a car is driven, the piston inside of the master cylinder develops a "wear pattern" or limit. At the end of the "normal" piston travel, a ridge of sludge builds up, along with a rust ring in some cases. When you bleed the calipers, the master cylinder piston will travel past and across this line. When it does that, the rubber seals on the piston(s) get torn up, and the master cylinder fails.
System not bled properly... air in the system.
Master cylinder went bad as a result of/during the bleeding process.
Both of the above.
As a car is driven, the piston inside of the master cylinder develops a "wear pattern" or limit. At the end of the "normal" piston travel, a ridge of sludge builds up, along with a rust ring in some cases. When you bleed the calipers, the master cylinder piston will travel past and across this line. When it does that, the rubber seals on the piston(s) get torn up, and the master cylinder fails.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,921
Likes: 0
From: GA "When I grow up, I'm gonna get a Trans Am and run from the cops". Direct quote from my 4yo son.
Assuming nothing is broken, try a Motive power bleeder. I changed my M/C and calipers and couldn't get the brakes right at all until I used it. Now brakes are great.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 51
From: Cartersville GA
Two quick items...
System not bled properly... air in the system.
Master cylinder went bad as a result of/during the bleeding process.
Both of the above.
As a car is driven, the piston inside of the master cylinder develops a "wear pattern" or limit. At the end of the "normal" piston travel, a ridge of sludge builds up, along with a rust ring in some cases. When you bleed the calipers, the master cylinder piston will travel past and across this line. When it does that, the rubber seals on the piston(s) get torn up, and the master cylinder fails.
System not bled properly... air in the system.
Master cylinder went bad as a result of/during the bleeding process.
Both of the above.
As a car is driven, the piston inside of the master cylinder develops a "wear pattern" or limit. At the end of the "normal" piston travel, a ridge of sludge builds up, along with a rust ring in some cases. When you bleed the calipers, the master cylinder piston will travel past and across this line. When it does that, the rubber seals on the piston(s) get torn up, and the master cylinder fails.
It's Fred Flinstone time!!!
