Soft brake pedal
Discussion
Vanquish S Ultimate 2018.5
Since I reported the soft brake pedal here, the car was recovered and confirmed that the fluid had boiled. It was changed, flushed and bled by the main dealer and returned to me.
Remember: before all of this, the pedal was firm.
When the car came back, it was still soft.
I could sit in traffic and the pedal would go the full length if it’s travel, with none of the previous ‘pressure and resistance’ under foot. It then developed a strange metallic clicking, as if a pipe or something was in the front wheel spokes. There was nothing visible and a full lock to lock cleared the issue. There was always a mild burning smell which I put down to the newness of the car (waxes burning off etc), but perhaps the brakes have always been binding on.
The car was recovered again. They took disc temperatures before and after a run without using the brakes and a normal drive, with no noticeable issues. A tech from Gaydon came down and said he was happy with what they had done, and, after he reversed it into another car, it was shipped back to my PPF guy who is local for repairs to the PPF. I went to collect the car from him and, as before, the pedal goes to the floor. The car was recovered again.
I’ve had a call to say that they’ve driven it - it’s all fine and they can’t understand what my issue is. It’s simple: The pedal used to be rock hard, then something happened and now it is not.
The car has barely 1,000 miles on it and it doesn’t feel safe as the brakes are not what they were.
Advice gratefully received on how to handle this! I want to reject the car but they’re saying it’s fine. It isn’t.
Since I reported the soft brake pedal here, the car was recovered and confirmed that the fluid had boiled. It was changed, flushed and bled by the main dealer and returned to me.
Remember: before all of this, the pedal was firm.
When the car came back, it was still soft.
I could sit in traffic and the pedal would go the full length if it’s travel, with none of the previous ‘pressure and resistance’ under foot. It then developed a strange metallic clicking, as if a pipe or something was in the front wheel spokes. There was nothing visible and a full lock to lock cleared the issue. There was always a mild burning smell which I put down to the newness of the car (waxes burning off etc), but perhaps the brakes have always been binding on.
The car was recovered again. They took disc temperatures before and after a run without using the brakes and a normal drive, with no noticeable issues. A tech from Gaydon came down and said he was happy with what they had done, and, after he reversed it into another car, it was shipped back to my PPF guy who is local for repairs to the PPF. I went to collect the car from him and, as before, the pedal goes to the floor. The car was recovered again.
I’ve had a call to say that they’ve driven it - it’s all fine and they can’t understand what my issue is. It’s simple: The pedal used to be rock hard, then something happened and now it is not.
The car has barely 1,000 miles on it and it doesn’t feel safe as the brakes are not what they were.
Advice gratefully received on how to handle this! I want to reject the car but they’re saying it’s fine. It isn’t.
Since you have reached an impasse, seems to me you require an independent examiners report by a respected engineer. I am sorry I don’t know of anybody but perhaps others on the forum can help?
Alternatively maybe there are other owners of a similar model who would be willing to help make comparisons with their car or cars.
Very best of luck, hope it is soon resolved. David.
Alternatively maybe there are other owners of a similar model who would be willing to help make comparisons with their car or cars.
Very best of luck, hope it is soon resolved. David.
Since you have reached an impasse, seems to me you require an independent examiners report by a respected engineer. I am sorry I don’t know of anybody but perhaps others on the forum can help?
Alternatively maybe there are other owners of a similar model who would be willing to help make comparisons with their car or cars.
Very best of luck, hope it is soon resolved. David.
Alternatively maybe there are other owners of a similar model who would be willing to help make comparisons with their car or cars.
Very best of luck, hope it is soon resolved. David.
They tested the brakes against another car, with read out, and mine were slightly better. The characteristics of the pedal are just odd compared to my other cars. However, having driven a couple of other identical cars, they both had the same feeling of softness when stationary.
I’ve done a few hundred miles of sensible driving and the brakes seem fine.
I’m taking it for a blast later to try and get them to play up again, (or not, hopefully!) ahead of my Spanish 2k road trip next month.
I’ve done a few hundred miles of sensible driving and the brakes seem fine.
I’m taking it for a blast later to try and get them to play up again, (or not, hopefully!) ahead of my Spanish 2k road trip next month.
I had a test drive in a v12vs MY16 this past week and was a little alarmed at how much brake pedal travel and pressure was required compared to my db9.2 to stop quickly. When I said this to the accompanying am sales chap he said the cars are set up differently. Not sure I buy that as a valid excuse but clearly some cars have softer braking compared to others, bit odd imo as every car I have ever owned has had similar braking characteristics, the odd one out the v12vs.
Sounds like an odd one and not qualified to diagnose - especially if proper techs have ruled out air in the ABS module etc. It either has air and is spongy or it doesn't I would have thought. A pedal going to the floor is extremely concerning though. If the fluid has boiled could that have damaged piston seals etc - especially master cylinder? Why did it boil - were you late for a date 
Boiling is rather extreme! Sorry little help I know...
Boiling is rather extreme! Sorry little help I know...Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff