This is a double post, but I really need some help here:

I just had the red cals put on by a mechanic.

They had to bleed the brakes.

I got it back today, and the brakes were so soft, I had to push my foot to the floor to get good braking.
It isn't right. Talked to 2 people who said that it should be that way, and they brakes should come back normal if the system was bled right.

He said give it a few days, and bring it back to rebleed the system.

A forum member here told me there is probably a procedure to bleed them and it just wasn't done right.

What is that procedure?
I am going to drop it off tomorrow and have them re do it.

How long should it take?

Thanks

LEX

 

Its not going to get any better by just waiting a few days. It just needs to be bled more. A pressure bleeder will do the job faster. If the fitting is not sealed completly at one of the calipers it could be letting air into the system. Let them bleed it again and see how it feels when you get it back.

 

They did not bleed your brakes right. It sounds like you still have air pockets in the system. I would be very nervouse driving the car in that condition as you have no idea what will happen if you really need to stop fast, your safety and other out there is the most important thing and the dealership should understand that. You may want to speak to the shop manager on this to get the problem resolved ASAP.
Most service shops have a brake bleeding machine that will completely bleed the system in about ten minutes as all four wheels are done at the same time.

 

It feels dangerous. I never went above 30 MPH and took all side streets.

I am going to take it to the dealer tomorrow and pay to have them do it right.

Thanks for your responses. Any other thoughts, please post them.
The more I know, the better.

LEX

 

If you want to do it the old fashion way this is how (DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK):

Start at the caliper furthest from the master cylinder. Find the bleeder valve. Make sure you have enough fluid in the master cylinder reservoir. You'll need a helper. Open the bleeder valve and have your helper push down on the brake pedal and hold it down. Close the bleeder, then have your helper let off the brake. Open the bleeder and have the helper push the brake pedal and hold it down. Close the bleeder, then have the helper let off the brake. If you don't want to make a mess, get clear tygon tubing to go over the bleeder exit and run it into a jar. Repeat the procedure until you have a nice solid stream of brake fluid coming out of the bleeder. When you are finished make sure the bleeder is closed and tight. Fill the reservoir with fluid if it gets low during this procedure so you don't suck any air and make sure it's full after you are done. Go to the next furthest caliper and do the same thing. It's not hard, it just takes a while.

Of course, using a vacuum or pressure bleeder is easier and you can do it by yourself. I've always done it the old fashion way with a helper. When you are done, the brakes should be very firm. I can't believe your shop gave it back to you with it soft. I would avoid using this shop in the future.

 

Thanks.

I am not going to risk it. There is too much at stake. My life, other peoples lives, the cars life.

I am taking it directly to the dealer, and may even drive with the hazards on, just so people stay away from me.

LEX

 

Your right to deal with it now, brakes are nothing to play with unless your sure of what your doing....Good Luck!

 

Thanks.

It has been dropped off at the dealer service center.
They are taking care of it.

Saw the owner there. Rather than have me wait for their shuttle, he took me to work in his car.

Only waited 2 minutes. Killer. Pref treatment.

LEX

 

Good for you man, glad everything worked out well and you had this taken care of quickly. Hopefully when you get it back everything will be just as it should be. Nice to know there are still folks out there that take care of the customer the right way.

 

I could barely sleep last night.

I was having dreams about it. Dreams that the whole system was shot and would be weeks before it could be driven.
And dreams where the brakes failed and I crashed.

Needless to say I was up earlier than normal on the phone with the dealer making an appointment.

Getting it done right and paying a few hundred to have it done is alot better than paying my insurance decuctable and/or hurting myself or someone else in the process.

Dealer said brakes are back to normal. It might have been my imagination, but I thought the clutch was soft too, so I had them check that too.

Thanks

LEX