so ive bled the front brakes 3 times now, theres definately no air in the front system.

now i haven't touched the rear system at all. could air have gotten into the rear lines from changing the front calipers?

-------------------------AND/OR---------------------

are there any dodgy ways of making brake pedals feel solid?

for example if your selling a car, or to slip it past roadworthy requirments?

cheers

I don't think using the word "dodgy" in the same sentence as "brakes" is a very good idea. Brakes are what stops you from hitting a tree.

true that, but i have a feeling the inspector is only stressing the pedal feel because he happens to have a brand new master on his shelf.

says $400 im like freak THAT.

what about blocking off the booster? would that improve it at all?

I agree with fordsy. Tho replace tree with "Sliding off a cliff" Which i almost did =| Not fun stopping with the bonnet hanging over a few meter drop. Oh I also almost ran into the ass end of a truck. YOU MUST HAVE GOOD BREAKS

quote:

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Originally posted by Sterling
what about blocking off the booster? would that improve it at all?

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It'll make the pedal harder but will take the roady bloke about two seconds to figure out what you've done. Do it once, do it properly, especially if it's anything to do with the safety of you and those around you.

hmm guess its something i shouldnt f*ck with.

ill give bleeding the rear brakes a try, not likely to solve anything, but cant hurt.

what's a good price for a master?

or to get one reco'd?

You can isolate the problem by clamping the brake lines one at time till the pedal goes hard. So clamp the single rear line at the diff, it pedal fells better the problem is in the rears, need a bleed or adjustment or both.

If it's still low clamp the front left and feel the pedal again then the right. If it's still soft the problem is in the master cylinder.

quote:

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Originally posted by Mk1 Lotus

You can isolate the problem by clamping the brake lines one at time till the pedal goes hard. So clamp the single rear line at the diff, it pedal fells better the problem is in the rears, need a bleed or adjustment or both.

If it's still low clamp the front left and feel the pedal again then the right. If it's still soft the problem is in the master cylinder.

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thanks for that mate, should start me off on the right path!

when bleeding the brakes, start from the rear left then rear right, front left, front right.
gotta work from furthest from the m/c and work towards it.

i got my m/c rebuilt for about $200ish

Does the pedal feel improved when you pump the pedal 2-3 times?

If so, its just air somewhere.

If you suspect M/C just hold the brake pedal down while car idling and if the pedal feels good initially but slowly sinks to the floor the fluid is bypassing the piston andyour M/C is likely pitted and needs replace / recon.

The above is not a definitive diagnosis but its easy to check both without getting the tools out.