Timmer205 0 Posted May 20, 2007 Hey I have been experiencing some tempremental braking recently. I have done a search but wasn't sure on an answer. Basically when the car is stationary the brake pedal sometimes travels to the floor which would indicate a master cylinder problem. Also i recently came up to some lights and started braking progressively and the pedal went to the floor without much slowing down!! This is not consistant though and i can usually still do a sudden stop. I have bought braided hoses but i was thinking, should i get a new cylinder as well and fit the whole lot? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zilog 0 Posted May 20, 2007 Are there any visible leaks at any of the calipers or brake lines? I suspect master cylinder failure or air being sucked into the mc. Whatever you do, make sure you find out what is causing this, because it might end up killing you if the problem is left dormant.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brianthemagical 1 Posted May 20, 2007 did you bleed them? from my experiance with mtb brakes it is possiblr to make them travel to the stop by slowly and progresivly pulling the lever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hengti 2 Posted May 20, 2007 (edited) i'd guess M/C failure as well - mine failed shortly after fitting stainless hoses. sometimes the brakes felt very good, other times there was no pedal at all. old rubber hoses have some give in them whereas new ss hoses won't - this can effectively increase the pressure on old M/C seals and lead to failure. it's obviously potentially extremely dangerous. new M/Cs are £30 and are easy to fit - that's your best first option IMO. ed. just re-read that this hasn't been brought on by changing to ss hoses - still sounds like M/C failure though and you'd be most wise to renew the M/C if changing to ss hoses Edited May 20, 2007 by hengti Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Timmer205 0 Posted May 20, 2007 Cheers for the replies lads. Think i will get a master cylinder as it seems pointless bleeding the system for the new hoses if they might not work!. Which size is the standard cylinder as there are: 19mm or 20.6mm? Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zilog 0 Posted May 20, 2007 i'd guess M/C failure as well - mine failed shortly after fitting stainless hoses. sometimes the brakes felt very good, other times there was no pedal at all. old rubber hoses have some give in them whereas new ss hoses won't - this can effectively increase the pressure on old M/C seals and lead to failure. it's obviously potentially extremely dangerous. new M/Cs are £30 and are easy to fit - that's your best first option IMO. ed. just re-read that this hasn't been brought on by changing to ss hoses - still sounds like M/C failure though and you'd be most wise to renew the M/C if changing to ss hoses I dont see why braided hoses should put more strain on the MC, the pressure for a given amount of braking power is the same, just that it flexes less.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hengti 2 Posted May 20, 2007 I dont see why braided hoses should put more strain on the MC, the pressure for a given amount of braking power is the same, just that it flexes less.. it's not something i understand fully, but it makes sense to me on the face of it (less flex in hoses: more strain on other components in system) - and it seems to have been bourne out by my own experience and that of others who've suffered failures in similar circumstances Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 244 3 Cars Posted May 22, 2007 Which size is the standard cylinder as there are: 19mm or 20.6mm? Standard 205 all models (except GTi) are 19mm, GTi has 20.6mm mc. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
