Woosey 0 Posted August 21, 2006 Ok so they are all bled, no air (that i could see!) yet still the braking performance isn't really up to scratch (cant even lock the wheels up!) It does stop pretty quickly if i stamp HARD on the brakes, however it needs to be upto MOT standards So what to do next? keep bleeding it?! Im running 1.6 Gti calipers, 1.9 Disks on the stock m/c for a 1.4 GR thanks chris Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony 1,003 Posted August 21, 2006 Is the pedal spongy or is it solid? If the pedal isn't spongy then I'd look elsewhere for the cause of your poor braking performance, and if it is spongy then keep bleeding Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Woosey 0 Posted August 21, 2006 (edited) Is the pedal spongy or is it solid? If the pedal isn't spongy then I'd look elsewhere for the cause of your poor braking performance, and if it is spongy then keep bleeding Its solid. I can tell you what its not, if thats any help Servo (hisses nicely!) Flexis (just replaced with braided) Rear compensator's (using handbrake didn't improve pedal feel) Its like braking with the engine off at the moment! Thanks to d-9 for his suggestions on another forum! Edited August 21, 2006 by Woosey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
veloce200 3 Posted August 21, 2006 Its like braking with the engine off at the moment! possibly a leak in one of the vacuum pipes? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony 1,003 Posted August 21, 2006 Its like braking with the engine off at the moment! Are you sure that the servo is working properly? If you press the brake pedal several times with the engine off and then hold it down and start the engine, does the pedal sink down slightly and the pedal become easier to press? If you switch the engine off again, does the pedal become harder and harder to depress the more times you press the pedal? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Woosey 0 Posted August 22, 2006 (edited) Are you sure that the servo is working properly? If you press the brake pedal several times with the engine off and then hold it down and start the engine, does the pedal sink down slightly and the pedal become easier to press? If you switch the engine off again, does the pedal become harder and harder to depress the more times you press the pedal? Just tested this...yes the pedal got softer when i started the engine. im baffled! Maybe i should try running the disks/pads in? there not brand new, however they haven't done anything for about 8 months! Edited August 22, 2006 by Woosey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nick 3 Posted August 22, 2006 If they are used you need to make sure the pads and discs go together as they were originally. If the pads and discs are mixed up they'll need a few miles to bed in again. Nick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Woosey 0 Posted August 22, 2006 (edited) If they are used you need to make sure the pads and discs go together as they were originally. If the pads and discs are mixed up they'll need a few miles to bed in again. Nick they are mixed, i just cant believe that breaking could be so poor due to them not being bed in! whats the best way to run them in? thanks chris Edited August 22, 2006 by Woosey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TVH 0 Posted August 22, 2006 they are mixed, i just cant believe that breaking could be so poor due to them not being bed in! whats the best way to run them in? thanks chris Here's how I do that: brake from 40mph to 20mph carefully, repeat 10 times brake from 40mph to 20mph with moderate pedal pressure, repeat 10 times brake from 40mph to near stop with moderate pedal pressure, repeat 10 times brake from 60mph to near stop with full pedal pressure but DO NOT let the wheels lock, repeat 5 times Done! Let the brakes cool down between the repeats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hengti 2 Posted August 22, 2006 (edited) Just tested this...yes the pedal got softer when i started the engine. Maybe i should try running the disks/pads in? one of the alternative bed in methods is to run them in carefully for about 200miles; avoid prolonged or hard braking. it's always a contentious issue though. have you still got the leaflet that should have come with the pads? probably got a recommendation on it Edited August 22, 2006 by hengti Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Woosey 0 Posted August 22, 2006 one of the alternative bed in methods is to run them in carefully for about 200miles; avoid prolonged or hard braking. it's always a contentious issue though. have you still got the leaflet that should have come with the pads? probably got a recommendation on it there ferodo pads... cant really do 200 miles as shes SORN'd at the moment, so if i did need to bed the brakes in i need to be able to do it quickly! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites