Brakes feel shit after lowering?

1. mattmartin L-plater Joined: Nov 2008 Leigh, Lancs Posts: 85 2001 Saxo Vtr, 2008 Peugot Partner HDI

   #1 18th March 2011, 20:22

   Recently fitted a 50mm apex kit (shocks and springs) and got the rear proffesionally lowered (did the front myself) followed the guide on here which involved removing the front calipers, anyway put everthing back on and noticed after a short drive the brake pedal nearly goes to the floor (didn't disconnect the brake lines when i took off the calipers and i supported the calipers with a cable tie when i removed them from the carriers. Think they may need bleeding) Any suggestions would be grateful
2. Oc2 Frequent Poster Joined: Apr 2010 Nottm. Posts: 924 Focus ST2 ASBO

   #2 18th March 2011, 20:33

   Sounds like they need bleeding kiddo
3. mattmartin L-plater Joined: Nov 2008 Leigh, Lancs Posts: 85 2001 Saxo Vtr, 2008 Peugot Partner HDI

   #3 18th March 2011, 20:48

   yeah thought so, just curious why its happened, cheers.
4. Tontsy Saxperience Addict Joined: Oct 2008 Plymouth, Fiddling - under a two poster ramp Posts: 14064 Audi

   #4 18th March 2011, 20:56

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Oc2 Sounds like they need bleeding kiddo

   Or not...
   
   The bias valve, on the braking system works with the height of the car.
   Change the height, change the way it brakes.
   
   If you do think there is air in the system, which needs bleeding. Keep pumping the pedel, does it get solid after a few pumps, or feel the same through out?
   If it feels the same, its not a bleedng issue.
5. mattmartin L-plater Joined: Nov 2008 Leigh, Lancs Posts: 85 2001 Saxo Vtr, 2008 Peugot Partner HDI

   #5 18th March 2011, 21:02

   Was going to mention that, tried pumping the pedal and it doesnt firm up at all it has the same feel?
6. Tontsy Saxperience Addict Joined: Oct 2008 Plymouth, Fiddling - under a two poster ramp Posts: 14064 Audi

   #6 18th March 2011, 21:05

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by mattmartin Was going to mention that, tried pumping the pedal and it doesnt firm up at all it has the same feel?

   Then there is no air in the system.
   
   I would put it down to lowering the height of the car.
   Youll get used to it lol.

   1 user thanked this post: mattmartin
7. mattmartin L-plater Joined: Nov 2008 Leigh, Lancs Posts: 85 2001 Saxo Vtr, 2008 Peugot Partner HDI

   #7 18th March 2011, 21:13

   Think i'll get it checked out just to be safe, like the look of it lowered but think it will look shit if its 6 inches shorter after running into the back of something lol!
8. Tontsy Saxperience Addict Joined: Oct 2008 Plymouth, Fiddling - under a two poster ramp Posts: 14064 Audi

   #8 18th March 2011, 21:20

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by mattmartin Think i'll get it checked out just to be safe, like the look of it lowered but think it will look shit if its 6 inches shorter after running into the back of something lol!

   Just check that the load sensing valve, is working correctly.
   Make sure its free...
   
   It should adjust to things like this. But is common for it to sieze, and to effect how it feels after lowering.
9. Gordon Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 543 Phase-II VTR

   #9 18th March 2011, 23:45

   It's a long shot but possibly got oily fingers on the discs? It's easy to notice if you got the outer face of the disc dirty, but greasy finger prints on the back side of the disc can easily go unnoticed.
   
   Did you put the discs back on the same side of the car they came off after you refitted the struts? If not then the pads will need time to re-bed into a different disc.
   
   As said above, have a look at the bias valve as a change in height will effect that, which effects how it feels on the brakes.
   
   Failing that, does it just 'feel' like it's not stopping as well, or is it deffinately taking a noticably longer distance to stop? If you've fitted lower, stiffer springs and stiffer dampers from stock then there will be significantly less dive when you brake, making it 'feel' like it's not slowing down so well.
10. mattmartin L-plater Joined: Nov 2008 Leigh, Lancs Posts: 85 2001 Saxo Vtr, 2008 Peugot Partner HDI

    #10 19th March 2011, 00:11

    I left the discs on the hubs when i removed the struts, maybe could have been more careful with the oily fingers though! Just been out while its quiet on the road and cant get the fronts to lock up at all (not got abs) its the pedal feel thats changed, feels like its just not as firm as before, maybe new discs, pads and fluild and have a look at the bias valve.
11. user_28362 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 5306 911 Turbo

    #11 20th March 2011, 22:09

    your brake compensator at the rear is seized ,,, the pdel will feel mushy & the brakes will have no bite. the brakes feel like they need bleeding
    
    It happened to my vts, once released it all feels good again