Brakes feeling a bit 'spongey'

[TonyHetherington]

Any thoughts people? The pads have got probably 7 or 8mm left on them. Brakes were brand new (discs and pads) OEM jobbies from B&C last April when I picked the car up, and since then I have done 12000 miles (7000 of which has been driving holidays so used fairly well).

The brakes have, recently, started to feel a bit 'spongey'. At first I thought I was making it up but, nope, definitely something is not as 'sharp' as it used to be.

Should I first bleed the brakes to check there's no air in there? Then where....new pads?

Interested on your thoughts please fellow lotus owning buddies of mine.

Oh PS: yes I am on the posting marathon today !! (it's Friday )

Thanks
Tony

[tuscan_thunder]

Have a go at re-bedding them in.

What I do is: Find a VERY quiet road.

Drive at about 30mph in second gear and press the brakes. Keeping pressing them building pressure. As you do this, open the throttle to maintain speed. Do this for about 20 seconds.

The do a few runs, blasting up to 60mph then braking as hard as you can whithout locking up then blasting back to 60 immediately. Do this about 10 or 12 times.

The brakes should now be very hot but I find this tends to bring the pads back in espcially if the car's been standing for a while (which I know your's hasn't). Worth a try before you go and buy new pads etc. Be warned though, that by the 10th stop from 60, combined with the odour of hot brakes, you'll probably feel a bit sick.

[TonyHetherington]

Ok thanks - I'll do that. It certainly won't hurt to try (other than my stomach, I guess )

The 'bringing them back in' kinda sounds like what I'm after. They just feel like they've gone a bit 'off the boil'. I've not had one particular moment or done a track day or anything like that. Ooooo actually, about 6/8 weeks ago I did bind them to my discs for about a week after I washed it (remember my 'Have I fooked my discs' post?)...could that have sent them off??!

[Davey S2]

As above but I would change the brake fluid as well.

Mine was changed a few weeks ago at the 9000 mile service and after 5 track days the brakes were feeling very spongey. Feel fantastic now though

[TonyHetherington]

Could the fluid have that much affect, then?

If so - it might explain it. The car's 21000 miles old I don't know whether it's ever had it's fluid changed. It's certainly not in the 12000 miles I've had it so I'll see about doing that, then if the re-bedding doesn't work.

Thanks!

[Davey S2]

TonyHetherington said:

Ok thanks - I'll do that. It certainly won't hurt to try (other than my stomach, I guess ) The 'bringing them back in' kinda sounds like what I'm after. They just feel like they've gone a bit 'off the boil'. I've not had one particular moment or done a track day or anything like that. Ooooo actually, about 6/8 weeks ago I did bind them to my discs for about a week after I washed it (remember my 'Have I fooked my discs' post?)...could that have sent them off??!

Sticking the pads to the disks often happens Tony and shouldnt cause any damage (unless you have just finished a heavy track session and sit in the paddock with your foot on the brake)

I would do the fluid then try re bedding in the pads

[cuzza]

Davey in brake advice shocker

Make sure you use a pressure bleeder for the brakes - much easier. Eliseparts sell the Eazi-Bleed as do Halfwits.

[S Works]

Deffo get brake fluid changed mate - small and easy job, then if that doesn't cure it maybe consider new pads. Depending on what you have on there they may have gone past their effective limit.

As I understand it any given set will have a 'lifetime' during which they will pass through xyz heat cycles before the begin to go off. Once that happens the become less and less effective.

Your highland trip probably put a fair bit of heat through them and the fluid so that's where I'd start.

FWIW, I recently had mine changed to Mintex 1144's from EBC Greenstuff, and a fluid change and the difference is like night and day.

[TonyHetherington]

Well we did the fluid last night and although I've not given it a good go yet, I did get a bit of heat into the brakes on the way to work and it feels pretty much the same.

Bit frustrating but a good thing because the fluid needed doing anyway; on investigation (and me being a plum) it's not been done in 2 1/2yrs / 21000miles!

Like you say Tim it may be that they've had their day. I've done 12000miles on them, which has included 7000 'hooning' miles so they've done quite well. Still a bit of material left but like you say I think they're just past their effectivness.

Expect a 'what brake pad' thread very soon....

Thanks all for your thoughts

[black_potato]

Throw the pads in the bin and get some Pagid RS4-2's, you could also change the break lines for braded ones but the pads will have a far greater effect.

[S Works]

Just change the Pads and be done with it Tony. A pretty easy job if you have the inclination to do yourself - I don't have the space or tools and hence have always had them done at a garage. Only an hours labour so not pricey.

Mintex 1144's are great for fast road/occasional track. I love them.

Pagid's though are the weapon of choice if you don't mind shelling out the extra. Might be worth it if you're doing a lot more hoons this year.

You're welcome to try mine out on Mintex & EBC disks if you like at the Woodman.

[TonyHetherington]

1144's vs RS-42's....it's £100 difference for a full set!?

Is it REALLY worth it? I will be doing some more hoons (got a couple planned already). Is the difference TRULY worth it? I feel inclined to go for the 1144s to be honest.

Thanks Tim - appreciate the advice.

[hbaumhardt]

If you arn't going to be tracking (or doing 80 mph emergency stops evey 500m) then Mintex will be great.

[black_potato]

PAGID are stunning pads & well worth the extra money, if your going to track the car you would be mad not to.

[alicrozier]

Tony,
Inner pads always wear much quicker, have you checked them or just the outer pads?

I went through the OEM front pads in 5K miles (1K running in some track time).
Pagid RS4-2 got my vote.

Cheers,
Ali

[TonyHetherington]

Yeah I have checked the inners - they're ok. Low, but ok (it's not like they've disappeared or anything!! )

I won't be doing any track work with it and all the hoons I do aren't ridiculous because it's on the public road (even though we do drive spiritedly) so I think I'll go for the Mintex 1144's !!

Thanks everyone
T

(PS: so 12k miles isn't bad then )

[S Works]

You won't be disappointed Tony - good choice.

[TonyHetherington]

Sorry for all the questions, Tim. I assume Eliseparts.com is the best place to get them? Only place I can really find them!

[Trixster]

I'm getting Mintex 1144s and a set of ebc discs put on the car tommorrow, as well as a quick shifter and gear linkage set! Can't wait as I'm sure the lot will totally transform the car from great to brilliant!

I'm getting Dan at Jude Performance Motors to do the fitting for me. Any ideas/guesses as to how long this little lot will take an experience Lotus mechanic to fit?

>> Edited by Trixster on Thursday 6th April 18:14

[alicrozier]

Yup, Tony looks like the Mintex will be fine for your usage.
I use Eliseparts.