Author Topic: Spongy Brakes  (Read 824 times)

Offline mmret

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Spongy Brakes
« on: July 22, 2009, 11:10:05 pm »
Brakes are spongy. Feels like very little power. Quite concerning. First 2 inches of pedal travel produce few results.

Jamming it down hard still gives the goods but it doesn't shake your teeth out like you'd think it would. :s



Just got it back from a B1 service at the dealer...which supposedly comes with a brake service. Still spongy.
The last time I got a B1, about 16k ago, the brakes came back really firm (was nice). So what gives?

Car has 46k on it...no squealing noises and they said that the pad life was good.

Low fluid? Air in the hoses? Aren't they supposed to check this stuff? >:(
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Offline rrocket

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Re: Spongy Brakes
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2009, 11:12:35 pm »
May need a bleed.  Otherwise master cylinder could be acting up.
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Offline dash

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Re: Spongy Brakes
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2009, 02:01:48 pm »
Could it be forcing piston back in to caliber during service (if required), wrecked piston seal, seeing any leakages? or a seized piston?

You should take it back and have dealer look at problem they could have caused. Either way, don't mess around and get it looked at.
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Offline maritime_storm

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Re: Spongy Brakes
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2009, 07:52:08 am »
Four wheel disk set-ups tend to have a softer pedal feel by nature and a longer travel then drum brakes. The reason for this is with disk all the way around more fluid is required to move before the pads start to clamp on all four wheels and you won't resistance until all four caliper have resistance. Newer vehicle are worse because of low drag calipers. Quality of pads make a difference as well, semi-met have less compressability than ceramics for instance. With rear drums, if they're set-up close your pedal should be harder and near the top. When they work properly 4-whell disk brakes can offer better braking, myself I'm not sold on the set-up yet. Reason much higher required maintence. Pads don't last as long as drums, rotors usually can't be re-used due to rust and pitting, slider & caliper seizure are also more prominent than front disk systems. Drums brakes can be a PIA to service in some cases, but they do last several times longer with far fewer issues. That having been said, I would recommend bleeding the brakes on this car, it may improve the feel.
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Offline mmret

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Re: Spongy Brakes
« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2009, 05:49:20 pm »
I brought it in today....they looked at it for a while and said that all they could find was that the surface was a bit uneven.

So they resurfaced the rotors under warranty for me. It seems to be a bit better but still not quite the quick response that it used to be.

I mentioned the air in the hoses thing but the guy dismissed it and said that it was a sealed system or something. ??? Irritating.

Maybe time to take it to an indy mechanic and see what's what? How much would it cost to bleed the brakes?

Offline initial_D

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Re: Spongy Brakes
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2009, 05:55:15 pm »
Maybe try some better aftermarket pads.

Offline dr_spock

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Re: Spongy Brakes
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2009, 07:17:51 pm »
When was the last time your brake fluid has been changed?


Offline mmret

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Re: Spongy Brakes
« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2009, 07:40:48 pm »
Yes...I might just get some aftermarket pads and go to Speedy or something, get it all done in a single shot.

Offline Honda Owner

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Re: Spongy Brakes
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2009, 07:53:56 pm »
Don't go to Speedy because you'll get fleeced by them for a whole whack of stuff you don't need like calipers and rotors.

As pads wear, brake pedal feel will deteriorate. I would recommend a high quality pad and a fluid change. At 46k you are approaching the end of your pad life anyway.