Brake problems?

Adam1979 · Dec 30, 2012

After some advice (again) please chaps. My brakes seem to be losing pressure whilst driving and usually when I press the brake pedal it goes almost to the floor and does nothing and takes two or three pumps before they start to work again. If I pump it all the way down twice on the third pump the pressure returns to normal and the brakes work as normal. Any ideas on where to start looking and what could be causing this to happen??

There is plenty of fluid in there (just under the maximum line) and it has discs all round.

Cheers

dogsbody · Dec 30, 2012

Have you got to pump the pedal every time that you brake?
When the brakes do work does the pedal feel 'solid' under foot?

johnlad · Dec 30, 2012

could be failing master cylinder, or wheel bearing failing, as the bearing fails it allows the brake disc to wobble which in turn pushes the pads away, hence pumping the pedal to get them back on the disc

Adam1979 · Dec 30, 2012

dogsbody said:
Have you got to pump the pedal every time that you brake?
When the brakes do work does the pedal feel 'solid' under foot?

If I do not use them for a while then I will have to pump them before they work. If I use them regularly then they seem to work ok. If for example I am going down a big hill and keep slight pressure on the pedal all the way down then they continue to work ok.

Adam1979 · Dec 30, 2012

johnlad said:
could be failing master cylinder, or wheel bearing failing, as the bearing fails it allows the brake disc to wobble which in turn pushes the pads away, hence pumping the pedal to get them back on the disc

Would this be a front or rear wheel bearing or could it be either??

dogsbody · Dec 30, 2012

Adam1979 said:
If I do not use them for a while then I will have to pump them before they work. If I use them regularly then they seem to work ok. If for example I am going down a big hill and keep slight pressure on the pedal all the way down then they continue to work ok.

So it's not a failing flexi-pipe or servo but it could still be a weak master cylinder.
Front wheel bearings tend to fail first.

johnlad · Dec 30, 2012

Adam1979 said:
Would this be a front or rear wheel bearing or could it be either??

it can be either, jack it up and wobble each wheel it will be evident which one it is

Adam1979 · Dec 30, 2012

Cheers guys. Just washing all the muck off it from yesterdays outing and will have a good look over it to see what I can find.

chezvegas · Dec 30, 2012

Have you bleed them recently??? Maybe some trapped air?

Adam1979 · Dec 30, 2012

chezvegas said:
Have you bleed them recently??? Maybe some trapped air?

Have not touched them at all for ages. Surely there should be no air in them if I have not done anything to them, or is it possible that there could be air in there somehow??

Adam1979 · Dec 31, 2012

Well the rain finally stopped for a bit so got out and checked. Both front wheel bearings have loads of play in them. Another bloody job to do!!

Cheers guys

Brake problems?

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