Defeated by the brakes

David Lawrence · 24th July 2019, 15:38

Changed the front left caliper a while ago, and suffered a “softer” but certainly not spongy pedal ever since.

Brakes normally, but when braking from motorway speeds there is a discernible twist to the right when first applying the brakes. On soft gravel, the right side locks up. All telling me that the side with the new caliper is still not properly bled.

Ive now tried vacuum bleeding, all that seems to do is suck in air from around the nipple once loosened. I got a slightly better result with it, but the slight pull to the right remains.

Tried pressure bleeding, flushed through a good 300ml of fluid through it, but still no change.

I have repeated this process now at least 10 times. No air comes out, only fluid.

Never had a car I couldn’t bleed before now. Looking like its going to be left for Jules to sort now. 35 years of maintaining cars, never been beaten by the brakes before.

slovcan · 24th July 2019, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Lawrence

Changed the front left caliper a while ago, and suffered a “softer” but certainly not spongy pedal ever since.

Brakes normally, but when braking from motorway speeds there is a discernible twist to the right when first applying the brakes. On soft gravel, the right side locks up. All telling me that the side with the new caliper is still not properly bled.

Ive now tried vacuum bleeding, all that seems to do is suck in air from around the nipple once loosened. I got a slightly better result with it, but the slight pull to the right remains.

Tried pressure bleeding, flushed through a good 300ml of fluid through it, but still no change.

I have repeated this process now at least 10 times. No air comes out, only fluid.

Never had a car I couldn’t bleed before now. Looking like its going to be left for Jules to sort now. 35 years of maintaining cars, never been beaten by the brakes before.

Hi David,

I have had to replace a bleeder screw before that would draw air in past the threads. I could get it firm, but not hard

. Stop that! The brake pedal or, in this case, the brake lever.

Cheers,
Glenn

COLVERT · 24th July 2019, 20:36

Maybe, just maybe. The air you are chasing is not in that caliper.---

bl52krz · 24th July 2019, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by COLVERT

Maybe, just maybe. The air you are chasing is not in that caliper.---

Are you thinking what I am thinking? ABS?

3disco · 24th July 2019, 23:08

Bleed with a t4?

David Lawrence · 25th July 2019, 07:06

This car has had slightly less than excellent brakes ever since i replaced the front to rear pipes in about 2010, and i got it to an acceptable state then just got used to it, but always felt the pedal was slightly soft.

It was only when i got the second car and had a direct comparison that i can tell its certainly not totally free of air. That car had a few caliper refurbs done by Jules recently and it came back rock solid pedal so i know how it should be.

It is possible that the air is somewhere else in the system, but have bled all 4 wheels and the symptom stays the same.

slovcan · 25th July 2019, 07:17

Good info. Obviously these cars don't have limited slip differentials.

Thanks,
Glenn

24th July 2019, 15:38	#1
David Lawrence This is my second home Rover 75 CDT-2001 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales Posts: 3,606 Thanks: 195 Thanked 606 Times in 501 Posts	Defeated by the brakes Changed the front left caliper a while ago, and suffered a “softer” but certainly not spongy pedal ever since. Brakes normally, but when braking from motorway speeds there is a discernible twist to the right when first applying the brakes. On soft gravel, the right side locks up. All telling me that the side with the new caliper is still not properly bled. Ive now tried vacuum bleeding, all that seems to do is suck in air from around the nipple once loosened. I got a slightly better result with it, but the slight pull to the right remains. Tried pressure bleeding, flushed through a good 300ml of fluid through it, but still no change. I have repeated this process now at least 10 times. No air comes out, only fluid. Never had a car I couldn’t bleed before now. Looking like its going to be left for Jules to sort now. 35 years of maintaining cars, never been beaten by the brakes before.

25th July 2019, 07:17	#7
slovcan Gets stuck in 75 Tourer CDT MK2 manual in Glorious Grey Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Slovakia Posts: 987 Thanks: 926 Thanked 346 Times in 252 Posts	Good info. Obviously these cars don't have limited slip differentials. Thanks, Glenn __________________ Southern Slovakia Anything can happen in Formula 1 and usually does - Murray Walker 1999 Triumph Trophy 900, Saddlesore 1600, Iron Butt Riders Association #63720 2005 Rover 75 CDT Tourer MK2

24th July 2019, 20:36	#3
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	Maybe, just maybe. The air you are chasing is not in that caliper.---

24th July 2019, 23:08	#5
3disco 3disco ROVER 75 CONN TOURER CDTI and ZTT V8 SE LPG Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: chardstock.axminster,devon Posts: 1,493 Thanks: 361 Thanked 94 Times in 85 Posts	Bleed with a t4?

25th July 2019, 07:06	#6
David Lawrence This is my second home Rover 75 CDT-2001 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wrexham, North Wales Posts: 3,606 Thanks: 195 Thanked 606 Times in 501 Posts	This car has had slightly less than excellent brakes ever since i replaced the front to rear pipes in about 2010, and i got it to an acceptable state then just got used to it, but always felt the pedal was slightly soft. It was only when i got the second car and had a direct comparison that i can tell its certainly not totally free of air. That car had a few caliper refurbs done by Jules recently and it came back rock solid pedal so i know how it should be. It is possible that the air is somewhere else in the system, but have bled all 4 wheels and the symptom stays the same.