IceBlue8 Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Can anyone help with this? A couple of weeks ago, whilst in the Lake District, the travel on the handbrake suddenly increased significantly and the foot brake travel also increased and felt much less effective. I've since had new discs and pads fitted all round (ouch!), the system bled and the handbrake adjusted. The handbrake seems OK, but the foot brake still doesn't seem to be what it used to be - it's pretty 'soft' feeling and doesn't really convince you that it would stop you quick in an emergency. Any ideas guys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 How long ago did you have the pads changed. It can take time for the pads to settle in to give a good pedal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceBlue8 Posted July 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 A week or two ago, but not done a lot of miles since then. Up to Aberdeen next week - I'll see how they feel after that. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted July 17, 2008 Report Share Posted July 17, 2008 New brake fluid up to spec and correct level? No air trapped in there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceBlue8 Posted August 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 It's been back in the garage and been bled again - there was air in it, apparently. It was better (but still not great) when it returned, but a week or two later it's bad again. Brakes semm pretty soft and a lot of pedal travel. Seems to be better when the brakes are pumped, so I suspect air in the system again. Not sure if it's related, but the handbrake, even after adjustment is also pretty naf. So 2 questions: 1. Anyone got any ideas on where the air is coming form (there's no apparent loss of fluid)? 2. I seem to recall an earlier thread about some gadget for 'pressure bleeding' the brakes. Is this essential. Any ideas at all would be most welcome - an A8 that doesn't stop well is not a lot of fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figure11 Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 I bought one of these. Makes bleeding brakes a breeze. I would suggest a full flush of brake fluid of a different colour so you know when the new stuff has filled the pipe. Follow the process here.... AudiPages Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harpersimon Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 Damn.. just added another job on the list then having read how easy that is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJStrange Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 HA! I was looking for a link to a gunson eezibleed for my post in the transmission thread for Ska's forced feed ATF to oil cooler bit. Only just noticed it's mentioned here! Cracking piece of kit, I've been using mine since I had my minis, oh... 15 years I've had mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsYcHe Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 Have they flushed the ABS.. If I remember rightly, the ABS system can hold some and can cause problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 Air in the system shouldn't affect the handbrake as that is mechanical and operated via a cable. It should self adjust in normal use so try sitting with the footbrake operated and pulling the handbrake up and down a dozen times or so see if it improves.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsYcHe Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 good point Kiwi .. IceBlue.. have you had it checked for any error codes? I'd think they'd pop up a dash warning anyway, but worth a shot. If you haven't tried him yet, Any at A4Audi just off Dumbarton road is pretty helpful and might be able to take a quick look for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figure11 Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 Andy gets my vote to. Did my Cam-belt. Nice bloke. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceBlue8 Posted August 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 Guys - thanks loads for the ideas - I'll call these through to my local garage and if they have no luck I'll give Andy at A4Audi a call. But another question - what error codes should I expect? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 Guys - thanks loads for the ideas - I'll call these through to my local garage and if they have no luck I'll give Andy at A4Audi a call. But another question - what error codes should I expect? None!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceBlue8 Posted August 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 None!!!! Yeh, OK, even I'm not that stupid! What I meant to ask was what kind of error codes might explain the problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsYcHe Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 No idea what to expect, but they should be under the ABS module, I don't think there's a seperate 'brakes' section. I'm expecting no codes to pop up, but you never know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwindath Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 (edited) the handbrake doesnt self adjust,It always has same range of motion. the piston self adjusts by unscrewing,with engine running press pedal hard few times, this in turn keeps handbrake adjusted, Any sticking of mechanism causes loss of adjustment, cable should not need adjustment if caliper working correctly,even as pads wear, all on piston.VERY common for hanbrake mechanism to stick, sometimes in hanbrake partialy on position PS gravity bleeding with eng running stops air getting in abs,Remember to remove resavoir lid though.. hope this is of help Edited August 14, 2008 by gwindath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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