• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Anyone know alot about cars/brakes?

S

Sniper82

Lifer
Have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE and had a friend changed the front brakes. Well he pushed in the cylinder on the front left and it leaked some brake fluid. He could push it in with his thumbs. Which he said wasn't normal. Well on the right side he didn't do it the same way. He told me to take the cap off the brake fluid while he pressed in on it. I could see the fluid rise in the container.

Anyway afterwards things work great but then I start noticing the brakes go all the way to the floor. The car still stops good(or seems to). Its still got pressure just not as much as it should. I told him about it and he said they my need the be bled. Well we do that and it still does it. Any ideas as to whats going on? Could he have messed them up somehow?

You can pump the brakes and it doesn't seem to be holding pressure to good. I know next to nothing about brakes and cars. The car isn't losing a bit of brake fluid.

Ideas/suggestions? How much its gonna cost to fix?

BTW the car stops before the brakes hit the floor.
 
you should not be able to push in the brake caliper piston with your thumb...

that's why they say you need a c-clamp to do brake pads...
 
Originally posted by: yellowfiero
sounds like air in the lines. Are you sure they were bled properly?
Click to expand...

Well not sure. He went to each tire/brake line on the car and told me to pump,hold,pump,hold,ect. I pumped it till the peddles was tight and held it till it hit the floor and repeated a few times for each tire/brake line. He did a series of tighten something and loosening it.
 
Originally posted by: Frosty3799
Originally posted by: yellowfiero
sounds like air in the lines. Are you sure they were bled properly?
Click to expand...

rgr that... you sure your friend knows what he's doing?
Click to expand...

Well hes changed transmissions in a couple of cars he owns and I watched him put them in and they run great and have been. So I am sure a brake job should be cake compared to that. Maybe he made a mistake? I've known him for years and he has done nothing but talk about/work on cars.
 
Well he pushed in the cylinder on the front left and it leaked some brake fluid.
Click to expand...
If fluid can get out, air can get in.

Does it leak fluid from the caliper when you step on the pedal?
 
I've done the breaks on my truck, and I'm not dead yet... does that count?

You shouldn't be able to push the caliber in with your thumbs. If you can, there's probably a leak somewhere along the line.

Water or air in the line will get you everytime. Have a registered mechanic bleed the lines. If you can't afford one, shoot me an e-mail and I'll show you a few different methods to doing this process yourself.

 
I'd say take it to a trust worthy mechanic to have it checked out. But yeah, you shouldn't be able to push that in.

I used to work in a garage but I wasn't there long enough (personal problems) to really get into working on cars. All the guys, except for one, were all into showing me how to use the different machines and troubleshoot/fix problems. I kinda regret leaving that job, but my current job is about 100x better.
 
I've kept a eye on the brake flue and it hasnt lost any. If there is a leak somewhere wouldnt it release the fluid? Over filling the brake fluid wouldnt cause any problems would it?
 
You need to leave some air in the fluid resevoir for when you press and de-press the pedals. The fluid has to go somewhere. If you over fill them, you could create too much pressure and one of the lines could burst. It probably won't happen on a newer car, but the older the car, the weaker some of the components. Nothing against old cars, but they're... you know... old
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top