brakes
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
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brakes
Yesterday I put new brake pads on the front of my Bronco. (The rear shoes were fine) The brakes worked great, but were just about to go metal to metal.
In any case, now the brakes are very spongy. I changed them like many times before. Pulled the pads, pushed the piston back with a c-clamp and installed the new pads. I thought they would ware in. But I drove it and stoped it about twenty times. It doesnt seem to be getting better. It will stop, but it will not lock the tires as before. It feels like it needs bled, but I never took the lines off. The fluied actually went up in the resivoir because of the thicker pads. Has anyone else had this happen? Comments?
In any case, now the brakes are very spongy. I changed them like many times before. Pulled the pads, pushed the piston back with a c-clamp and installed the new pads. I thought they would ware in. But I drove it and stoped it about twenty times. It doesnt seem to be getting better. It will stop, but it will not lock the tires as before. It feels like it needs bled, but I never took the lines off. The fluied actually went up in the resivoir because of the thicker pads. Has anyone else had this happen? Comments?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
First try bleading, then it would depend on the condition of the brake system and what kind of pads you used. Brake fluid should be changed because it absorbs water, the suggested interval is annually. The pads could still be green and need more heat to finish baking them. You could have seal failing in the calipers or wheel cylinders that is allowing fluid to leak out.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
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Its strange that it started when I changed the pads. A guy at work had the best explaination. Some bad fluied from the pistons was forced into the master holding a lip seal off. I've never heard of changing your fluid once a year. But I suppose mine could use it after so many years. I will do it soon and report.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
The brake fluid absorbs water and as it gets saturated, the boiling point drops. Brake fluid is a better hydraulic fluid than water in these systems. Once a year is for hi-po applications, I think every few years will be fine.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 460
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
I've had to bleed brake calipers after changing brakes even though I didn't take the lines off many times. Don't know why, but when the brakes are spongy - Bleed them. If you push through more than a cup or so of fluid and they haven't stiffened up, then look for something else.
