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soft brake pedal 200 1986

posted by  Michel on  Wed Oct 26 05:40 CST 2005
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last visit: Thu Dec 2 08:58 CST 2010
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I changed my calipers and pads. I bled the system (I don't know how well) and I felt firm pedal resistance when the ignition was off. The pedal was soft when pressed after I turned the ignition on. The brakes stop the car at slow speeds if I pump the brakes 3 or 4 times. Do I have air in my system? The brake failure light works and stays off. How do I know if the brakes are properly bled? I had no air bubles near the end, but only a bit of fluid would come out after 5 pumps of the pedal. Thanks.

Michel








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    I finally got my brakes to work! 200 1986

    posted by  Michel on  Sun Oct 30 02:46 CST 2005
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    last visit: Thu Dec 2 08:58 CST 2010
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    I bled the system 3 times with an assistant. The pedal feels firm enough (not super crisp, but ok). I will definately get the motive pressure bleeder for the next bleed.

    Michel








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    soft brake pedal 200 1986

    posted by  someone claiming to be Manolo on  Wed Oct 26 08:21 CST 2005 [RELATED]

    Assuming that your master cylinder worked well before you changed calipers, you almost certainly have air in the system. If you did not have to add at least a cup of fluid, the new calipers must still be nearly empty.

    Search the archives. A number of folks have gotten rebuilt calipers that had mismatched front caliper halves. If you get one like that, it cannot be bled and you have to send it back.

    There are lots of tips on brake bleeding in the archives.

    Tough cases require the use of pressure bleeders. You can buy one for about $25 that uses the air pressure from your spare tire. Highly recommended. You should change brake fluid every two years, and a pressure bleeder, two long nylon hoses, and a glass catch jar makes it a quick one-man job.








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      soft brake pedal 200 1986

      posted by  CoolVolvo on  Wed Oct 26 10:51 CST 2005
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      last visit: Tue Jul 29 10:53 CST 2014
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      I agree that there's probably air in the lines, or there might be
      an issue with a defective master cylinder or caliper. However, I
      have never CHANGED brake fluid on any car that I've owned in over
      30 years.
      --
      -Cool Volvo- 1982 240 4 Spd OD w/ 233K, 1989 240 5 Spd w/ 223K. Past proud owner of 1966 122, 1968 144, 1970 145, 1972 144, 1980 245








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        Never changed brake fluid?? 200 1986

        posted by  someone claiming to be Manolo on  Wed Oct 26 18:54 CST 2005 [RELATED]

        Brake fluid is hygroscopic because the interior surfaces of the brake hydraulics are suseptable to oxidation if they are exposed to water. However, brake fluid will hold only a limited amount of moisture. When it saturates, water precipitates out and attacks caliper bores, etc.

        Then there is the bigger problem of droplets of water that have precipitated out and are sitting on the bottom of a caliper getting hot and turning to steam, expanding and locking the brake as you drive down a mountain. Not good.

        If you live in Tucson, this is probably not a big deal, but if you live where it is humid, changing brake fluid every couple of years is highly recomended.

        Brick drivers are a vanishing species....we don't want to loose any!








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    soft brake pedal 200 1986

    posted by  NJC on  Wed Oct 26 05:50 CST 2005
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    last visit: Sun Jul 24 13:42 CST 2011
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    How was the level of the fluid in master cylinder during bleeding?

    This sounds like air in the system: "The brakes stop the car at slow speeds if I pump the brakes 3 or 4 times."

    If you bleed the system and still have a spongy pedal, next place is to check master cylinder. And the best way to check is not but some metal plugs and plugs the lines coming over of the master cylinder. Press on pedal and it should be a rock.

    --
    Norm Cook; Vancouver BC; 1989 745T 210,000KM








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      soft brake pedal 200 1986

      posted by  Michel on  Wed Oct 26 07:07 CST 2005
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      last visit: Thu Dec 2 08:58 CST 2010
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      The level in the master cylinder barely went down. I did not have to top it off every time I opened the bleeder valve based in the min indicator. Should I try bleeding the system again?

      Michel








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        soft brake pedal 200 1986

        posted by  NJC on  Wed Oct 26 07:37 CST 2005
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        last visit: Sun Jul 24 13:42 CST 2011
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        It should definitely go down when bleeding. It's a good way to flush out old brake fluid anyway.

        Maybe the bleeder screws are corroded but you should get a fair amount of fluid from each wheel.
        --
        Norm Cook; Vancouver BC; 1989 745T 210,000KM








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      soft brake pedal 200 1986

      posted by  Michel on  Wed Oct 26 07:07 CST 2005
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      last visit: Thu Dec 2 08:58 CST 2010
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      The level in the master cylinder barely went down. I did not have to top it off every time I opened the bleeder valve based in the min indicator. Should I try bleeding the system again?

      Michel








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        soft brake pedal 200 1986

        posted by  Sven's Maintainer on  Wed Oct 26 07:50 CST 2005
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        last visit: Sun Sep 16 20:44 CST 2012
        [RELATED]

        Let's keep these things separated.

        The reservoir is where you see the fluid level.

        The master cylinder is the (usually black) horizonatal tubular assembly located below and also forward of the reservoir.

        When you buy a new master cylinder, it comes with a new reservoir attached (at least mine did).
        --
        Sven: '89 245, IPD sways, electric rad. fan conversion, 28+ mpg - auto tranny. 850 mi/week commute.







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