Poor brake pressure after front hose replacement

Poor brake pressure after front hose replacement

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S6 Devil

Original Poster:

3,556 posts

233 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
I have just had the front brake hoses replaced on my XJR8 with standard brakes (not Brembo) after it failed the MOT. The pedal now stops the car but isn't firm like it was before. On pumping the pedal it firms up. The garage are telling me that it could be the master cylinder. It sounds like air in the system to me. They have used about 5 litres of brake fluid and a pressure bleeder but it still isn't right.

I read a post that suggested unbolting the calipers and rotating them until the nipple is pointing directly up, then bleed. Any other ideas before I ask them to try a second hand master cylinder?

TheRealFingers99

1,996 posts

128 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
You might try a vacuum bleeder -- mityvac alike. Cheep as chips on eBay and a smear of silicone grease to seal round the nipple when sucking.

Sounds like they just screwed up.

Master cylinders are usually surprisingly cheap (if not, a rebuild kit will be available) -- try brakeparts uk, etc. I'd not mess with a s/h one.

But it does sound like classic air-in-the-system-itis.

Jaguar steve

9,232 posts

210 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
Air in the system will give a springy pedal with a lot of travel. A knackered master cylinder can usually be diagnosed by maintaining a constant pressure on the brake pedal. If it slowly sinks to the floor the master cylinder is knackered or you have a fluid leak which should be obvious. If it stays in the same position then the chances are the cylinder is OK.

motco

15,946 posts

246 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
Jaguar steve said:
Air in the system will give a springy pedal with a lot of travel. A knackered master cylinder can usually be diagnosed by maintaining a constant pressure on the brake pedal. If it slowly sinks to the floor the master cylinder is knackered or you have a fluid leak which should be obvious. If it stays in the same position then the chances are the cylinder is OK.
Exactly! I was advised by a BMW indy regarding a Z4M to operate the pedal at the same time as pressure bleeding to ensure difficult air bubbles are dislodged.

S6 Devil

Original Poster:

3,556 posts

233 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
Thanks all. Unbolting the calipers and rotating fixed it. 3 little bubbles emerged and all is well.