have to push brake pedal to the floor!

  1. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2010 Bournemouth/Edmonton/Chelmsford Posts: 2650 Audi A3
    #1
    got new pads on the car, discs are fine, but the brakes are still absolute crap!
    i had a seized calliper a while back but after getting that all sorted, topping up with brake fluid, i still have to push the pedal right to the floor to get a bit of braking, and at that its still hard to stop.

    brake fluid keeps going down VERY fast, i've topped up by 1 bottle in the 1st week alone, almost every 2-3 days it goes back to empty again. i'm guessing thats because i have to push the pedal so far down every time i brake its pushing a lot of fluid through?

    but anyway, why is this happening!
    many thanks, D
  2. Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2011 Colchester Essex Posts: 153 VTR
    #2
    try bleeding your brakes especially as you've replaced caliper, top up with new brake fluid
  3. Established Member Joined: Dec 2009 Bolton Posts: 1068 Saxo 1.4i sx
    #3
    You're obviously losing brake fluid. It will have drum brakes if its a 1.1. Look underneath the car and see which of the back wheel hubs are dripping with fluid.

    It will need one or both rear brake cylinders replacing, and maybe the brake shoes as well if they are soaked.
  4. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2010 Bournemouth/Edmonton/Chelmsford Posts: 2650 Audi A3
    #4
    both the back drums are fine, no leaking from what i can see, i assumed it was the front brakes because of the calliper seizing before hand?

    i will double check the back drums tomorrow
  5. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2010 Bournemouth/Edmonton/Chelmsford Posts: 2650 Audi A3
    #5
    turns out my back left drum is cracked a little and brake fluid is all over it...

    this is what i found...what do i do now!?



  6. Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2009 York Posts: 768 VTR
    #6
    Don't worry about the lip missing from the drum, it's not important.

    Inside your brake cylinder is leaking - it'll need replacing and (much as it pains me to agree with Failroader) the shoes will need doing as well (do both sides as they come this way when you buy them).

    When striped down spray plenty of brake cleaner onto all affected areas to remove old brake fluid.

    HTH
  7. Established Member Joined: Feb 2009 ★ West / North Yorkshire ★ Posts: 1653
    #7
    Definitely change the brake cylinder - obviously - but I would personally just clean the shoes with brake cleaner and sand paper them along with the inside of the drum. Its a pain in the arse + fiddly changing brake shoes + only about 10% braking is on the back wheels anyway.
  8. Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 897 106 ph1 rallye 106 gti 106 hybrid thing GTI~6
    #8
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by outrage_uk View Post
    Definitely change the brake cylinder - obviously - but I would personally just clean the shoes with brake cleaner and sand paper them along with the inside of the drum. Its a pain in the arse + fiddly changing brake shoes + only about 10% braking is on the back wheels anyway.
    hmm very true but really you cant just say dont bother replacing,,,,,,, if the op doesnt then kills himself youl feel bad!
    replace the shoes at same time, there cheap as chips and give it all a good clean up in there.........
  9. Established Member Joined: Feb 2009 ★ West / North Yorkshire ★ Posts: 1653
    #9
    Just saying : I WOULD PERSONALLY....

    .. I would think there is more chance of fitting the shoes incorrectly, then bits flying off inside the drum - leading to the wheel locking up not ideal when your on the motorway..
  10. Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 897 106 ph1 rallye 106 gti 106 hybrid thing GTI~6
    #10
    i totally agree, but this day in age where everyone wants to sue you , its best to say it right........... saves a shit load of agro.