Scary Brakes!

[hellmett]

Hi All,

Have noticed a severe deterioration in brake performance over the last few weeks and before I start ripping them down maybe you could advise.

The brakes have become spongey and need to be pressed harder to be effective.

The car seems to swerve all over the road and pulls sharply to the right on occassion.

In short, the brakes are dangerous and I've had a few "hair raising" moments.

I put new calipers, pads etc. on about 18 months ago so I don't "think" it's a stuck piston.

I reckon the back shoes could do with being changed but isn't it the front brakes that do all the stopping?

Anyone any ideas before I have to dismantle the whole system?

TIA

Gary

[adpsimpson]

Have you tried just bleeding the system? Especially if there's reasonably new pads in there, that might be it.

[Growler]

Hi All,

The brakes have become spongey and need to be pressed harder to be effective. Sounds like they need bleeding, check you have no leaks and plenty fluid in the reservoir

The car seems to swerve all over the road and pulls sharply to the right on occassion. Seems to me your nearside caliper isn't working correctly, may have a sticky piston or two, would definatelly be worth checking

I reckon the back shoes could do with being changed but isn't it the front brakes that do all the stopping? Only if the rear LSV isn't working correctly

Gary

LSV = Load sensing valve as mounted on rear axle

[hellmett]

Re

Thanks chaps!

I'll start by bleeding them and make sure the fluid is ok and cleaning the gunk etc. from the LSV.

If I can remember the bleeding sequence is offside rear, nearside rear, offside front, nearside front?

Thanks!

Gary

[GRASSMAN]

Thanks chaps!

I'll start by bleeding them and make sure the fluid is ok and cleaning the gunk etc. from the LSV.

If I can remember the bleeding sequence is offside rear, nearside rear, offside front, nearside front?

Thanks!

Gary

NO! mate,

It's NSR LSV OSR NSF OSF allways start at the nipple
furthest away from the master cylinder, and bleed in
towards the master cylinder.
Hope this helps.

Gman.

[hellmett]

Thanks mate!

So, basically in hellmett talk it is:-

1. Passenger (Near) Side Rear
2. LSV
2. Driver (Off) Side Rear
3. Passenger (Near) Side Front
4. Driver (Off) Side Front

I never knew you had to bleed the LSV!

How do you do this, same as the others via a nipple?

What a cabbage I am!

I apologise for my stupid questions!

[GRASSMAN]

Thanks mate!

So, basically in hellmett talk it is:-

1. Passenger (Near) Side Rear
2. LSV
2. Driver (Off) Side Rear
3. Passenger (Near) Side Front
4. Driver (Off) Side Front

I never knew you had to bleed the LSV!

How do you do this, same as the others via a nipple?

What a cabbage I am!





I apologise for my stupid questions!

Hi mate,

1 to 4 correct, LSV does have a nipple,
I work to the rule if it has a nipple bleed it!!!

Also check your tyre pressures are correct,
check the hand brake too, is there any fluid
leaking down the rear brake back plates? This
could be a leaking wheel cylinder or the half shaft
oil seal giving up, check all the brake pipes
for leaks as well.
Good luck and keep at it.

Gman.

EDIT: Looking at your first post, new discs & pads.
Take a pad out and see if it's worn flat or has it got
a lip over the edge of the disc? you may have small
discs and large pads fitted, I'm sure there are two sizes
of discs for the Surf.

Gman.

[hellmett]

Re

Thanks for the help matey!

Appreciate it!

I'll start with a good bleed and check for leaks.

I never bled the LSV when I bled the brakes last time as I didn't know it had to be bled!

If that doesn't improve it I'll check back with you (if you don't mind of course.)

Gary

[GRASSMAN]

Hi mate,

Check the edit to my last post.

Gman.

[Albannach]

The car seems to swerve all over the road and pulls sharply to the right on occassion.

All the time or only under braking?

I reckon the back shoes could do with being changed

Well change them!

but isn't it the front brakes that do all the stopping?

They don't do all the stopping, but they do do most of it, weight transfer and all that good stuff...

The LSV senses (crudely) the amount of weight in the back of the truck and allows more braking force, at the rear, when heavy than when light.

[hellmett]

Re

Right,

Checked the brakes and changed the back shoes.

The front discs need replaced as there is pitting etc. on the inside - no problem!

Bled the whole system, hell of a lot of air out of the LSV?

This morning brakes felt way better, on way home from school run I felt a judder.

Got home, the drivers side rear wheel was red hot!

Obviously the rear nearside shoes are stuck against the hub.

How on earth can self adjusting brake shoes lock?

Is there something I should know, the handbrake wasn't anywhere near being overtight!

Could something be amiss?

Gary

[Albannach]

Is the binding brake a new thing? Is it only one side or both sides?

Were all the adjusters, levers and springs fitted properly and working freely?

Did you do the initial brake adjustment properly? (Adjust the brakes up until the wheel locks, then back them off until the wheel is free.)

[hellmett]

Re

Just had a look and I think it was my fault entirely!

The brakes are functioning correctly it's because I "over adjusted" one side!

I have left both sides now to be adjusted automatically!

Thanks!

[hellmett]

Re

Dammit!

They are back to the same "pulling to the right" nonsense!

Quite severe as well, you could nearly steer around right hand corners with it!

Cannot fathom it at all.

New back shoes, drums were fine, everything functioning correctly!

Bled system completely.

No sticking pistons.

Pads had plenty of meat on them.

The only problem I noticed was pitting on the inside of BOTH disks.

Intend to replace them as soon as I get some spare cash.

Anyone any ideas?

Would tyre pressures have anything to do with this?

I haven't been able to check pressure because of this

Seized Caps

Thanks!

G

[Albannach]

Would tyre pressures have anything to do with this?

Possibly, but it would tend to pull all the time.

Could be a myriad of things to be honest.