Brakes - Spongy after refit

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Bison535
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Brakes - Spongy after refit

Post by Bison535 »

I have recently fitted new rear brake cylinders, front calipers and discs ok condition.
New Dot 4 hydraulic oil in reservoir and all brakes bled BUT still a lot of 'foot travel' on brake pedal and a couple of pumps reduces 'travel'. Dosent feel right, especially in 'emergency braking' situation.
Ive read the other 'posts' on spongy brakes but maybe I have another fault causing 'spongy brakes' ???
Recommendations of cure appreciated :D :ok

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bigherb
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Re: Brakes - Spongy after refit

Post by bigherb »

Sounds like the rear shoes aren't adjusted correctly.
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jamesakers
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Re: Brakes - Spongy after refit

Post by jamesakers »

Do the new wheels cylinders have springs inside? I've just replaced mine and the old ones didn't.

From the wiki:

sendiw I have just fitted a new brake cylinder but after pressing and releasing the brake pedal the pistons withdraw away from the brake shoes thus giving me more brake travel. It is the rubber dust covers that are pulling them back. I have disassembled the cyl. and found that there is no spring between the two pistons.I phoned GFS today and they said "we've had this problem before".Apparently there are brazillian and German Cylinders and the Brazillian ones dont have a spring in them but the German ones do. So if you buy some, make sure you get the German cylinders or check to see if there is a spring in them before you leave the shop or you may find that no matter how much you bleed the system and adjust your brakes you will still have too much travel in your brake pedal
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kevtherev
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Re: Brakes - Spongy after refit

Post by kevtherev »

Adjust the rear shoes using the serrated adjuster wheel on the automatic adjustment mechanism
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Mr Bean
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Re: Brakes - Spongy after refit

Post by Mr Bean »

And if that doesn't fix it you might like to try going through the whole bleeding job again - the brake bleeding I mean.
As a mixture of gasses any air in the system will progressively reduce in volume under pressure until at maximum pedal pressure it will feel like a liquid and allow the brakes to operate correctly albeit with a lower pedal position.
Also new shoes/pads may feel just a tad spongy until bedded in.
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Bison535
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Re: Brakes - Spongy after refit

Post by Bison535 »

Thanks guys for the positive recommendations; now need to get under the T25 :ok

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