teflongrasshopper
Member
- Posts
- 15
- Location
- UK
Hello,
Looking for advice with braking issues on my P38a, Its a 1998 GEMS V8
A couple of weeks ago the brakes went weak, they barely stop the car. Having had a look at the threads I bought a master cylinder & ABS pump that were bundled together on e-bay.
I have swapped over the ABS pump & accumulator, bled using the front bleed valve on the master cylinder but this did not improve the situation. Its back exactly as it was.
I inspected all the brake pipes etc which look fine then thought I would try bleeding the system as it seems like the next easiest thing. I started by depressurising the system and then started on bleeding one of the front calipers. I manged to get a bit of fluid through but have found that it just doesn't seam to be pushing much fluid through when the pedal is pumped. Am doing on my own do wedging down the pedal then opening and closing the bleed valve then back to the pedal...
The outcome of my attempt at "Bleeding" the caliper has ultimately made the situation a little worse so pretty sure I have drawn some air back into the caliper.
One thing to note is that there isn't much travel in the brake pedal. I see a youtuber's pedal going right to the floor but mine only shifts about an inch & 1/2. Its always been the case as long as I have had the car (5 years)
The other thing to note is that there are no warning lights or messages on the car. The 3 brake warning lights operate as normal i.e. light up and go off after a second or two, the ABS light goes off once I get moving.
I am pretty sure the Pump & accumulator are good as when I depreasurise the reservoir fills to the brim with fluid so I am taking this as the nitrogen expanding and squeezing back the fluid.
So I am curious about the travel pedal and what other P38's feel like? When working mine had little travel & weak braking when the engine was off but decent brakes when the engine was running.
I could use some help with thoughts on what the problem might be and what to do next. I have a replacement master cylinder and am starting to think this is where we are heading but it looks a bit messy so thought I would reach out to the forum first
Also, any tips on beading the brakes solo would be appreciated. I can call the wife over if needed but she really isn't enthusiastic about this kind of stuff!
Looking for advice with braking issues on my P38a, Its a 1998 GEMS V8
A couple of weeks ago the brakes went weak, they barely stop the car. Having had a look at the threads I bought a master cylinder & ABS pump that were bundled together on e-bay.
I have swapped over the ABS pump & accumulator, bled using the front bleed valve on the master cylinder but this did not improve the situation. Its back exactly as it was.
I inspected all the brake pipes etc which look fine then thought I would try bleeding the system as it seems like the next easiest thing. I started by depressurising the system and then started on bleeding one of the front calipers. I manged to get a bit of fluid through but have found that it just doesn't seam to be pushing much fluid through when the pedal is pumped. Am doing on my own do wedging down the pedal then opening and closing the bleed valve then back to the pedal...
The outcome of my attempt at "Bleeding" the caliper has ultimately made the situation a little worse so pretty sure I have drawn some air back into the caliper.
One thing to note is that there isn't much travel in the brake pedal. I see a youtuber's pedal going right to the floor but mine only shifts about an inch & 1/2. Its always been the case as long as I have had the car (5 years)
The other thing to note is that there are no warning lights or messages on the car. The 3 brake warning lights operate as normal i.e. light up and go off after a second or two, the ABS light goes off once I get moving.
I am pretty sure the Pump & accumulator are good as when I depreasurise the reservoir fills to the brim with fluid so I am taking this as the nitrogen expanding and squeezing back the fluid.
So I am curious about the travel pedal and what other P38's feel like? When working mine had little travel & weak braking when the engine was off but decent brakes when the engine was running.
I could use some help with thoughts on what the problem might be and what to do next. I have a replacement master cylinder and am starting to think this is where we are heading but it looks a bit messy so thought I would reach out to the forum first
Also, any tips on beading the brakes solo would be appreciated. I can call the wife over if needed but she really isn't enthusiastic about this kind of stuff!
