Brakes soft / worn??

1. AdamWhyp Established Member Joined: Aug 2007 Llanelli Posts: 1800 Saxo project S1400!!!

   #1 24th April 2008, 19:41

   For a couple of weeks my brakes have been really crap... the bite of the brakes is really low to the floor...theres a grinding when braking and since yesterday a squeek from brakes even when foot is not on the pedal... not long ago my rear brake cylinder went that was replaced with new shoes on one side...maybe the other side needs changing also?? and there is a lip on the disks at the front and the pads are ok.... can i change the pads and disks myself?? any help would be great!! thanks
2. steve_335 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2007 Wickford, ESSEX Posts: 3094 citroen saxo 1.1 VW polo 1.4 16v Fiesta 1.25

   #2 24th April 2008, 19:51

   system could need bleeding, if the ones you changed before were bad, it is more than likely that the other side will need changing, it's easy enough to look, just take rear drum off and you can see them
3. AdamWhyp Established Member Joined: Aug 2007 Llanelli Posts: 1800 Saxo project S1400!!!

   #3 25th April 2008, 19:53

   front discs and pads changed today and there still crap.. .will change the brake cylinder and shoes tommorow....then bleed them?? the pedal can go really low down before it bites??
4. Mark51p Super Moderator Joined: Sep 2006 Wakefield Posts: 14427 Golf GT

   #4 25th April 2008, 19:57

   so what your saying is the pedal is spongy. if so get the bled and see if that makes a difference mate. if your pads and discs are all ok then this should sort it
5. Lozza_vtr Established Member Joined: Jun 2007 Sunny Essex!! Posts: 2342 VW Golf Mk4 1.8T

   #5 25th April 2008, 20:00

   Does sound like air in the system to me. I would bleed them before you go and try anything else.
6. AdamWhyp Established Member Joined: Aug 2007 Llanelli Posts: 1800 Saxo project S1400!!!

   #6 25th April 2008, 20:06

   is that easy to do??
7. steve_335 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2007 Wickford, ESSEX Posts: 3094 citroen saxo 1.1 VW polo 1.4 16v Fiesta 1.25

   #7 25th April 2008, 20:14

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by AdamWhy is that easy to do??

   You will need 2 people to do it, take wheel off, undo bleed nipples on back of calipers, place a piece if clear pipe over it leading into a cup, so old fluid don't go on floor. Have other person in car, they start pumping brakes and fluid will come out through pipe, you will see air bubbles, keep going until air bubbles go, do up and do again. You have to start furthest away from resevoir so, on mine it's back drivers first. Keep checking it to make sure that the resevoir is topped up and you don't end up pumping air through the system, willtake you forever to get them out.
8. AdamWhyp Established Member Joined: Aug 2007 Llanelli Posts: 1800 Saxo project S1400!!!

   #8 25th April 2008, 21:28

   cheers mate...repped
9. steve_335 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2007 Wickford, ESSEX Posts: 3094 citroen saxo 1.1 VW polo 1.4 16v Fiesta 1.25

   #9 25th April 2008, 22:06

   cheers mate.
10. Reid Frequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 Coatbridge Posts: 673 EP3 Civic Type R

    #10 26th April 2008, 13:40

    I always put some fluid in the cup to start with so it doesnt suck any air in but that mite be just me lol