Technical Can my brakes be improved!!!

[dumbledore]

Gas(air) + Brakes = ****ed really

get the system bled


Ziggy

There is no air in the system as I bled it and replaced the fluid. From what I read, the brake pad itself when heated during a brake session can generate gases. The gases then get trapped between the pad and the disc causing the brake system to show signs of fading. This is why cross drilled and/or grooved brake discs are recommended. Obviously a good make of pad could also be less prone in generating such gases.

 

[Ziggy122]

Braking causing gas?
never heard of that - it creates alot of Heat from friction and brake dust

the Heat is what makes the pads Fade

I've done my front brakes
£13 for mintex pads
£20/£22 for 2 disc's

I too have just replaced my fluid after loosing it all from a dead Flexi joint!

Ziggy

 

[fingers99]

The gas thing is true enough. However, on something as pathetically slow as a standard Punto, it isn't going to be a factor. Re-bleed, "proper" pads, further inspection if that doesn't sort it.

 

[dumbledore]

Just swapped my pads with some Pagid ones. Am running them in at the moment so not trying them out yet.
The old ones looked still new after 4K miles. So hope this sort thing out.

 

[dumbledore]

Can confirm that my brakes seem sorted. I done about 200 miles on the new pads and have to say that I don't have to slam the brakes hard to make a stop any more. Have not properly race the car yet as I am still scared the brakes may not be up to it. So I am only gradually pushing them harder as needed to work out how much better they are now so I can trust them.

 

[DaveMcT]

Find an empty road, get up to speed and if safe to do so hit the brakes.

A sloppy pedal feel can be the flexible hoses expanding. They might still be safe but its a sign they should be renewed as they've got stretched. Another cause is wear in the front calipers causing the pads to move too far from the disc so that space has to be made up every time. New calipers will sort that.

On my bike I use sintered metal brake pads. They stop MANY times better than the old organic pads at the expense of more disc wear. Punto discs are cheap so would not be an issue.

 

[reddy4bed]

I know I'm repeating advice already given, but dont put on pads from motor factors, get the genuine ones whatever the make of car you have.
The motor factors vary from poor to useless.
I have had both a puegeot and a Rover from new and in both cases can instantly tell when poor quality pads are fitted. I can think of at least 10 occurences when I have taken resently serviced vehicles back and insisted that the pads are replaced again for genuine ones, because the pedal power required to stop is to great, always the garage try to fob me off with "they are not bedded in yet". Experience has shown me that you can get full braking after 1/2 an hour of harsh use with genuine pads.
Tony.

 

[dumbledore]

Yes, the pedal power to stop my car with the pads were far too much. In fact was so hard I was worried something will go wrong when I most need the brakes. I can't believe how good the brakes feel at the moment after I replaced the doggy pads. I have had better luck in the past with doggy no name pads but this time was not to be. At least all that heavy braking I had to do tested the flexi hoses and master cylinder as they survived for 4K miles of high stress.

 

[Ziggy122]

to be honest it sounds like you had a problem with brake fade

Where the Heat caused by friction (braking) Caused the pads to Glaze, its a sort of less grippy suface meaning you need alot more effort to make em work, which in turn cooks them some more

Surprised you havent seen signs of blue on the disc's

Ziggy

 

[dumbledore]

Yes, is quite possible the old pads glazed as they were unusual bad. Did not notice any blue on disks but then I was not looking. I still have the pads so is there any signs on the pads I should be looking for?

 

[Ziggy122]

Yes, is quite possible the old pads glazed as they were unusual bad. Did not notice any blue on disks but then I was not looking. I still have the pads so is there any signs on the pads I should be looking for?

Blue'ing is where you get a po.....
Wait you mean disc's
Literally the metal turns Blue due to the heat

As for the pads - Have a look - do they have a Super shiny appearance to them? Nice and smooth?

Yes they should be smooth but rough as well? and a lil bit of glazing isn't bad, but thick glazing is

Also - have you replaced the brake fluid recently?

Ziggy

 

[dumbledore]

Yes, I had replaced the fluid trying to get the brakes to work better. The pads never worked good for 4k miles. I just had a look of them and they look a bit shiny. I run my finger of them and yes, they feel very smooth and slippery!!! I guess they must be glazed.