SEAC brake problem!

[Mr Tank]

Hi

Simon has just had the front brakes apart on my SEAC, due to one piston being stuck. We thought we had a new replacment caliper, which luckly we had. But after a bit off messing about it's turns out to be a faulty unit which has not been drilled properly so its naff!

So it's a caliper rebuild.

But the way the syetem appears to work we can't see how you can bleed all the air out the system.

Which explains why we have always had a slight spongy/soft feel to the brakes!

The calipers are AP 4 pot which has a pipe in and three bleed nipples on each caliper. So three piston have a bleed nipple but one hasn't, so one piston always has some air behind it as there is no way of bleeding it.

Any ideas?

Also has anybody got a serviceable drivers side caliper, which is urgently needed for beer tokens!

If we can't sort it then it's one less SEAC for the fest.

Andy

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Andy..I did some reading up on the 4 pots as i have them fitted as well and i recall reading that when bleeding them you should do the two side nipples first and then the top one last, This should bleed the air out..Air rises so the top one should be the last one bled..Hope this helps...Ziga

PS: I just realised..Do you mean Austin Princess or AP lockhead 4 pot..Although i think its similar..

Edited by mrzigazaga on Sunday 10th June 20:07

[Mr Tank]

Mark

Yes that what you would do, but the piston at the top on the other side has no bleed, so some air will stay there, unless you pressure bleed and that will not guarantee that all the air comes out!

What four pot brakes on a 280i, there nearly as big as your engine capacity!

Andy

[hallsie]

Andy

Take the caliper off and leave the pads in, put a bit of wood between the pads and take up the pressure with the pedal.

You can then get the bleed nipple to the highest point so the air rises and can bleed them to your hearts content.

Stu

[Mr Tank]

Stu

Thanks for that sounds like a good idea will get Simon to have a go next time he's over!

It's only times like this makes me realise how F_ _ _ ed I am at present, as I can't do anything on my cars!

I have not even seen them in the plastic for over six months! Fest weekend will be the first time in Seven months and will properly be another six before I can drive them, if I am lucky.

Andy

[Campbell]

hallsie said:

Andy

Take the caliper off and leave the pads in, put a bit of wood between the pads and take up the pressure with the pedal.

You can then get the bleed nipple to the highest point so the air rises and can bleed them to your hearts content.

Stu

Thats what i would do get all the air out, that reminds me ill need to rebleed prior to classic lemans


Cambelt

[Mr Tank]

Hi

Well I have got some new piston and seals from F-bay, so Simon can rebuild the caliper, when he gets home from his holiday!
Then unless some body has a better idea he with the help of Mr Sheen will try bleeding Stu way to get all the air out! With luck it will be on the road for the fest!

Andy

Edited by Mr Tank on Monday 11th June 09:57