Another brake question…

On Saturday I did a brake service - new brake fluid and flushed it all through and bled the system on my own and there was still some softness to the pedal. I then adjusted the drums with the snail adjusters.

Then with the help of my Mrs I bled the system again by starting at rear passenger then rear driver then front passenger and finally front drivers side. I jacked the car up high as I did each corner and this made a real difference. Pedal nice and firm, great braking distance too - even locking them up under hard braking.

I’ve used her every day this week (car not wife lol) and braking has been the same.

However, (why does there always have to be a however??) I’ve taken the kids to school in her today and the pedal is definitely softer with more travel. Doesn’t appear to be any loss of fluid.

Any ideas? Wondering if the bleed screws could be letting in some air or if the seal at the top of the reservoir isn’t 100%.

Have they bedidid in a bit and need another click on the snails?

You'll only get air in to the master cylinder from the reservoir if the level gets too low.. air doesn't travel down hill

kermit_rr said:

You'll only get air in to the master cylinder from the reservoir if the level gets too low.. air doesn't travel down hill

Click to expand...

I was thinking more along the lines of vacuum/pressure being reduced/lost (forgive my naivety).

Frustrated Seriesist said:

I was thinking more along the lines of vacuum/pressure being reduced/lost (forgive my nativity).

Click to expand...

It's a few more weeks until Christmas!!

Do you have a vacuum assist servo?

kermit_rr said:

It's a few more weeks until Christmas!!

Do you have a vacuum assist servo?

Click to expand...

Don’t you just hate predictive text?

Just have the standard original system that looks like this…

No vacuum then, the only way pressure can be lost is through a leak, failing (expanding) Flexi hose, or failing seal in the master cylinder

kermit_rr said:

No vacuum then, the only way pressure can be lost is through a leak, failing (expanding) Flexi hose, or failing seal in the master cylinder

Click to expand...

Thanks, I’ve had her a couple of months and she gets used most days, fluid has sat on the max line the whole time without topping up. So new hoses, a seal kit and bleed valves??? Are braided hoses the best option?

My series mcyl failed not to long after I pressure bled the system, 4mths Iirc
Tbf most mcyls sre pants anyway and dont seem to last, as my car does a lot of standing
Try as suggested, readjust brakes and see how it goes, shoes want to be lightly rubbing the drum not totally free running