Problem

[marc1131]

I just got new calipers and I put them on. After istalling everything and making sure there were no leaks I drove it around my culdasac. The brakes get more powerful if you pump them but if you let off the brake pedal it gets really easy to push again. I'm assuming there is air in the system but I can't get it out. At first when pumping the brakes in my garage I noticed the brake fluid kept going down so I kept refilling it until it didnt go down anymore. now its at max and the brake pedal still goes to the floor. what should i do.

edit. the brakes feel like they are holding the rotor a little. I tried to push the car and the brakes held a little bit.

 

[jdub]

Bleed your brakes...make sure you use Dot 3 or 4 fluid. In fact, you may want to bleed each wheel until the fluid runs clear...a complete replacement of the fluid. I'll bet it hasn't been done for years

 

[marc1131]

Actually the guy that had it before was real good with maintenence(dad worked for toyota) so I know everything is still good. but I'll try bleeding them

 

[jetjock]

Then why did you need new calipers?

Yeah, bleed them. Speed bleeders are nice, as is pressure bleeding. If you really want a hard pedal use an old motorcycle trick after bleeding: Find a way to jam the pedal down hard and keep it there overnight. The brakes will be rock solid in the morning.

To touch on what jdub said you should at minimum suck your master cylinder reservoirs almost dry once a year and refill with new fluid. This keeps the fluid clean and removes water (brake fluid is highly hygroscopic). Do this and you won't be changing or rebuilding master cylinders. Better is a complete flush every few years but fluid replacement is the next best thing.

 

[jdub]

Brake fluid is one of those things that gets over looked...kinda like changing the LSD oil

Brake fluid absorbs water after a period of time...changing it every 2 years min is a really good idea. When you bleed them, get a piece of rubber/plastic hose and fit it over the bleed nut nipple so you can direct it into a container of some sort. Take a look at the old fluid; if it looks very dark I'd pump new fluid through the lines by bleeding...don't let the resv go dry. If you use Dot 4, you'll have a higher temp fluid.

Edit: damn JJ...beat me to it...LOL

 

[IJ.]

Man posts like this scare me......

DUDE if you don't know the basics don't fuck with brakes!

 

[Yellow 13]

Do you just have a folder of cletus pics IJ?

 

[jdub]

Man posts like this scare me......

DUDE if you don't know the basics don't fuck with brakes!

Yeah...bleeding is pretty simple, and if he can change a caliper, I assume he can bleed the brakes. But, like you said IJ, Brakes are one of those things that are definitely self critiquing!

 

[IJ.]

Y13: Nah I just made that one for those "special threads"!

JDub: read the following scenario and see if you agree

Our Hero after changing out of his cape and tights jumps into his Mk3 with it's NEW Callipers and proceeds at the speed of stupidity for his first run out on the open roads, he comes over a crest in the road and comes across a family crossing the road.

He's secure in the knowledge that he has new Callipers dammit and hits the pedal it of course goes to the floor so he pumps it to get a pedal and manages to lock the brakes overcorrects and broadsides the entire family killing them all!

 

[jdub]

JDub: read the following scenario and see if you agree

Our Hero after changing out of his cape and tights jumps into his Mk3 with it's NEW Callipers and proceeds at the speed of stupidity for his first run out on the open roads, he comes over a crest in the road and comes across a family crossing the road.

He's secure in the knowledge that he has new Callipers dammit and hits the pedal it of course goes to the floor so he pumps it to get a pedal and manages to lock the brakes overcorrects and broadsides the entire family killing them all!

I'm with ya man...bleeding the brakes is the 1st thing you do when you change out the calipers...heck, I do it when I change pads! At least he drove around the cul-de-sac vs. beaming off to go to work in a hurry. Moral of the story...don't fuck with the brakes without reading the TRSM or asking questions FIRST.

 

[jetjock]

"Speed of stupidity"...lol. Man, that's gotta be hauling for some folks.

Jdub, I wouldn't have even replied to this thread if you hadn't shamed me into it by taking pity on the guy. You probably give money to street people too

 

[jdub]

Heehee...yeah, I'm getting soft in my old age. Guess I need to go back to the philosophy of my former life...blanket the target with CBU and let God sort em out.

 

[marc1131]

Yea, I.m a idiot guys, lol sorry

 

[Nick M]

I believe bleeding is done best by two people. Find somebody who knows how to do it. He will have you pump the pedal and then hold it when it has resistance. Then he will open it, the pedal will fall to the floor, and he will reclose. And you repeat the process until the pedal feels good. You do this at all four corners in the order specified in the TSRM.

 

[Joel W.]

2x4 about 2 ft long and the power seat adjustment for those without friends also works..

I trust the 2x4 more than some of my friends...
(man that sounds bad)

 

[IJ.]

MityVac and a one man bleeder kit works perfect for me.