Bbb, Brakes Behaving Badly (now Fixed)

[CarlC]

I have just purchased the Silicone Fluid for my car (not used yet),now having read this I need to know why it should not be used.

Can anyone on the Forum provide the answer ?

As Andy has already stated.

I opted for the 5.1 as its a higher specification fluid and still safe to use on our cars. Primaily it has a higher boiling and should provide an overall increase in brake effeciency.

Ben,

That was a great find. I always forget to check the bloody service manuals before I start babbling on about a problem. Ill check this out tonight when I get back !

Many Thanks

[superdavelotus]

I thought the Powermaster system bled differently to a conventional system. Also you have to bleed the master cylinder first, someone once told me. Don't know how true this is as I've never done it before, always took mine to a specialist. I like to know that I will stop.

Saying that Iam just about to swap Alan Crofts Hi-Spec Monster 6 calipers off his 89 turbo onto his V8 and vice versa today, so I'll let you know how I get on.

Carl, have you spoken to a Lotus specialist about your problem?

[CarlC]

Carl, have you spoken to a Lotus specialist about your problem?

Hi Dave,

I haven't spoken to any specialist yet becuase its bound to be something stupid I've done wrong with the bleed and refit of the pads. The brakes were ok before I took the pads out to copper grease the rears to stop some brake squel that had developed when warm. With the car being off the road at the same time I thought I'd renewel the fluid as I hadnt done this when I put the HiSpec calipers on ages ago. So I dont think its a problem with the system but more me missing out a step.

I got to step 10 last night on the bleed process provided by ben including bleeding the master unit first. I will complete the remaining steps on Saturday Morning when I have access to a proper jack and stands. Im hopeful that will fix the problem, if not Ill ring Pete for some further advice. I need Pete to do replace my clutch ASAP but I wanted to make sure the car was road worthy before taking it in....

Thanks all for the advice. Ill update you all hopefully on Saturday afternoon to say its sorted.

[CarlC]

Well Im pleased to say that my strange brake issue has been sorted.

Followed the full bleed procedure posted up by Ben. This didnt solve the problem so I went back to check the rear caliper that was causing the drivers side wheel to get hot. The disc was very stiff to turn especially when compared to the passenger side. After much messing about I ended up winding the piston back in 1 full turn and remounting it. Very simple fix in the end. The problem must have been that the rear caliper was coming on full before the remaining brakes had any chance to bite. I basically made sure that when the caliper was remounted that it went on easily with a little space availabe between the pad and the disc.

Unfortunatly in the process of fixing this I knackered the hand brake machanism. This meant I had to take the caliper to bits again to fix the hand brake cam on the back of the caliper. I had some how managed to pop out of position the small metal wedge that forces the pads on when applying the hand brake. This turned a couple of hours in to a very long afternoon. But Im sure we are all used to that... :yes

Thanks for all the input from everyone. Its great to be able to get to the bottom of these things after working through all the suggestions.

Right, whats next....

Can one of the mod's change the title for me to add FIXED! ?

Or tell me how to do it and Ill get it changed.

Many thanks

[superdavelotus]

That's great news Carl! Glad you got it sorted!

[Artie]

Another happy ending!!!! First rate mates'!

[ansellb]

Good news Carl. Well done!

Ben

[mangel]

Nice one, I'm still awaiting bits on mine but the end is almost within sight now!!!!

[Tentenths]

Can one of the mod's change the title for me to add FIXED! ?

Or tell me how to do it and Ill get it changed.

Glad you got it sorted Carl. Title updated accordingly

[CarlC]

Cheers James,

Feel like Im a crap bendix brakes expert now.