Brake Problems...gulp!!!!

[graham tompkins]

I thought to-day was an ideal one to take the car for a blast. Wrong.
After about 2 miles the car started to feel as if the handbrake was still on.
Stopped and could smell hot brakes...rear offside and near side front wheel red hot.
Decided to go back home and with about a mile to go...brake pedal to the floor...nothing.
Hence the Gulp...but thats not what I actually said.
Managed to get back home safely. No fluid loss in resovoir, so not a leak.
My feeling is that its a master cylinder problem? although why only two wheels on diagonally opposite sides are hot leads me to think that one of the circuits has failed?.
Any input welcome please guys .

 

[Gary C]

Sounds as if you have boiled your fluid, most 80's cars had the dual circuits diagonally split, so something wrong with master cyclinder trapping pressure in that circuit ?

I know that 'Gulp' Feeling

Astra Mk1 with M141 pads, normal fluid and non vented disks, 1000 feet drop of Austrian hairpins !

Brakes failed, disks glowing bright red, center caps melted from wheel, pads on fire (actual flames !),

Not the thing you want into a hairpin !, saved it on gears and handbrake [&:]

 

[phil pullinger]

Hi Graham,
Sorry to hear about your brake problem,i always feel gutted when i have to cut a drive short due to problem that hits you out of the blue.I have recently over the winter months had all my brake calipers refurbished new seals and pistons replaced at classic automotive cheshire,what a difference it has made.The guy also told me that the pistons were badley pitted which had contributed to stange problems i had when braking.I also noticed that some of the brake pads were really worn and others hardly touched.All of my pads and rear shoes have now been replaced and the car seems more predictable.
I hope you resolve your problem especially now the weathers good ,it would be interesting to see how the pistons and pads have fared in your calipers.

 

[graham tompkins]

Thanks guys,
I am pretty sure that its a master cylinder problem but I am going to do a complete brake system refurb, new master cylinder, new seals on callipers, new pads, sensors, replace hoses with flexible braided ones, possibly new discs as well. Nothing done on the brakes for 20K miles as far as I can tell from the history, so probably a wise move.
anything to avoid that "Oh my God" feeling...scary ...doesn't half make you think quickly, nice to know that I still can drive a car with no brakes at all...last time 30 years ago in a Mini .
Is there anything else that I need to replace?
regards
Graham

 

[Gary C]

ORIGINAL: graham tompkins

Is there anything else that I need to replace?
regards
Graham

Your trousers ? []

 

[Don Curtin]

Hi
Sounds like you have sticking calipers which overheat the brakes.Happens more when cars are not used.
I have had the rears sticking on mine.Easy check,jack up and feel how much drag on wheels .Although sometimes they only drag when hot.

 

[graham tompkins]

Dead right guys, front nearside caliper shot to bits..seal split and piston siezed, causing fluid to boil. Have now replaced all 4 calipers and refurbished brakes. Embarrased to admit that initially I had the front ones upside down! They are exacly the same to look at except the bleed nipples end up at the bottom. Everything goes to-gether but impossible to bleed all the air out. Realised my mistake and switched them over and hey presto..perfect brakes again. Sailed through the MOT so hopefully thats the car all sorted for summer.
Thanks for all the advice