Stupid brakes question...
Discussion
You've been warned!
On a dual circuit brake system (no abs and in this case two separate master cylinders connected with a bias bar) if one circuit fails, the other circuit remains independent and can continue to operate.
However... When bleeding brakes, if you open a blender, you can pump the pedal (all the way to the floor) until all of the fluid in the reservoir has gone.
So... In the case of brake failure (let's say that a hose has ruptured) what is to stop the pedal going to the floor and all of the fluid pissing out? If this happened, would it not be the case that both circuits were just pumping air.
I know I'm being stupid here but I can't get my head around it
On a dual circuit brake system (no abs and in this case two separate master cylinders connected with a bias bar) if one circuit fails, the other circuit remains independent and can continue to operate.
However... When bleeding brakes, if you open a blender, you can pump the pedal (all the way to the floor) until all of the fluid in the reservoir has gone.
So... In the case of brake failure (let's say that a hose has ruptured) what is to stop the pedal going to the floor and all of the fluid pissing out? If this happened, would it not be the case that both circuits were just pumping air.
I know I'm being stupid here but I can't get my head around it
not a stupid question
There are two completely separate circuits. If you get a huge leak in one circuit it would no longer be able to provide braking power, and yes… if you kept pumping you would empty the reservoir. But an empty reservoir doesn’t stop the other circuit from functioning. The reservoir is there to keep the system filled with fluid as the pads wear and as temperature changes…
There are two completely separate circuits. If you get a huge leak in one circuit it would no longer be able to provide braking power, and yes… if you kept pumping you would empty the reservoir. But an empty reservoir doesn’t stop the other circuit from functioning. The reservoir is there to keep the system filled with fluid as the pads wear and as temperature changes…
Kawasicki said:
not a stupid question
There are two completely separate circuits. If you get a huge leak in one circuit it would no longer be able to provide braking power, and yes… if you kept pumping you would empty the reservoir. But an empty reservoir doesn’t stop the other circuit from functioning. The reservoir is there to keep the system filled with fluid as the pads wear and as temperature changes…
Thanks. I assume that the pedal would still go to the floor though, just that the pressure in the unaffected circuit would remain sufficient to hold the pads against the disc? There are two completely separate circuits. If you get a huge leak in one circuit it would no longer be able to provide braking power, and yes… if you kept pumping you would empty the reservoir. But an empty reservoir doesn’t stop the other circuit from functioning. The reservoir is there to keep the system filled with fluid as the pads wear and as temperature changes…
LennyM1984 said:
in this case two separate master cylinders connected with a bias bar
This setup is not common on production cars due to the cost and complexity, but if you have this setup it should be designed so the balance bar runs out of travel soon enough for the 'good' circuit to produce some braking.Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff