Something has changed with the brakes?

[mrmike]

A couple of months ago I changed the front brake pads. After a day or two they had bedded in all OK. a few weeks ago I noticed that they had become a bit spongy and travel had increased, A quick pump stiffens them up.  With engine running I can slowly floor the pedal, without the Engine running the pedal is rock hard and does not go down. One thing I notice that has changed is when I apply the park brake the pedal used to push up against my foot, now this does not happen. Fluid level is OK, car brakes in a straight line and ABS is working. Normally pedal going to the floor means master cylinder but it is solid, however there is more pedal travel than before. I do not know when the brake fluid was changed but I would think it was at least 5 years ago from the receipts that I have with the car.

cheers

Mike

[Wrinkly]

7 minutes ago, mrmike said:

A couple of months ago I changed the front brake pads. After a day or two they had bedded in all OK. a few weeks ago I noticed that they had become a bit spongy and travel had increased, A quick pump stiffens them up.  With engine running I can slowly floor the pedal, without the Engine running the pedal is rock hard and does not go down. One thing I notice that has changed is when I apply the park brake the pedal used to push up against my foot, now this does not happen. Fluid level is OK, car brakes in a straight line and ABS is working. Normally pedal going to the floor means master cylinder but it is solid, however there is more pedal travel than before. I do not know when the brake fluid was changed but I would think it was at least 5 years ago from the receipts that I have with the car.

cheers

Mike

Mike

Test the brake fluid to see what water content there is. There are some relatively cheat ones on Ebay that appear to work accurately. I have one of them and have had it compared to the more complex equipment at my main dealers, with same result.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174970386752

Best Wishes and Regards, John

[mrmike]

Thanks for the reply. I had a look at the fluid which is quite dark, not a good sign! I have a little gadget for checking soil dampness, after careful cleaning I tried it but it did not register anything. I tried a DVM on 20 MOhm and got a reading between 1.5 and 2,5 MOhm so I reckon there is definitely water in it. Checking on used engine oil produced no reading >20 MOhm ! Tap water (From local Desal plant) provided readings between 1 and 6 MOhm.

Dot 4 is on the shopping list.

BRs and fingers crossed ,

Mike

[Wrinkly]

22 minutes ago, mrmike said:

Thanks for the reply. I had a look at the fluid which is quite dark, not a good sign! I have a little gadget for checking soil dampness, after careful cleaning I tried it but it did not register anything. I tried a DVM on 20 MOhm and got a reading between 1.5 and 2,5 MOhm so I reckon there is definitely water in it. Checking on used engine oil produced no reading >20 MOhm ! Tap water (From local Desal plant) provided readings between 1 and 6 MOhm.

Dot 4 is on the shopping list.

BRs and fingers crossed ,

Mike

Mike

Sounds like a good move to me.

All the best with doing the job.

Regards, John

[mrmike]

I finally got around to bleeding the brakes this morning.  Furthest wheel took the longest time and produced a hard pedal. First Red fluid came thru, then dark brown down to a light amber colour. The other three just dark brown and then light amber. It took nearly 1 litre of brake fluid. Brakes are hard, ABS is OK and with engine off the pedal stays high under pressure.  Engine on and hard pressure on the pedal and it goes to the floor in about a minute! When I got it about 3 yrs ago it was like this. I guess I will keep my eyes open for a cheap master cylinder. Crazy there is no repair kit!