I'm after a bit of advice. Ive just emailed mick at diamond motors as he's my local specialist. In the meantime however, I'd be grateful for your thoughts too. I've just replaced my rear calipers with a refurbished set from biggred. Whilst I was at it I flushed out and replaced the ATE super blue (about 18 months old) with some RBF 660. Initially, I used about 1 ltr including bleeding (traditional 2 man, at the nipple method). I flushed and bled the system (RHR, LHR, RHF, LHF) and took it for a spin. Sadly, the brake pedal was very long and soft. Although it stops, Its not as sharp as it was before. Now, at first I suspected that during flushing I may have dropped the fluid too much and subsequently caused air to get into the abs pump. I slept on it, read up some more and re-bled it this morning. This time, RHR, LHF, LHR, RHF. Used another 0.5 ltr and got a little air from the LHR in the process. The others were fine. Took it for a another spin, turned off ESP and braked hard enough to activate ABS but there's little to no difference. Are my intital thoughts correct? Do you reckon I've got air in the ABS?
Done some more reading. Should I have done anything with the handbrake at all. The pistons were fully in and I just re-connected the cable as it was on the old calipers?
Just done the above. Sounds like I have a bit of play between the piston and pads. RHR at least, anyway. Hopefully this is the issue and it's not the ABS. How do I close it up? I've another 0.5 ltr of RBF660 on order and I'm picking up a gunson eezibleed tomorrow.
Cycle the handbrake several times. This should ratchet up the handbrake auto adjusters on the caliper and remove any travel between the piston and pads. New rear calipers will have fully seated Pistons or the same as if you have fully wound them back on new pad replacement.
Cheers pal. I understand how it works. I'm a little more hopeful now that I still have air in the system which is why the pistons arent pushing out fully against the pads. I've just picked up a eezibleed so once more fluid arrives I'm going to bleed it all again.
No problem. It will be less of a problem if you didn't drain the system when you swopped out the rear calipers.
Its air in the ABS pump, the only way to get the air out is to get a OBD2 plug in thingy that can open the abs valves, how do i know, it happened to mine, took it to the garage around the corner from me and they sorted for £20, might cost you a bit more but it's the brakes so do it right
Thanks. Mick got back to me but I can't get it in until next week. I'm cutting about in my second car at the moment so there's no rush. I'll have a stab at bleeding it again on Weds with the eezibleed i picked up today. If that doesn't resolve it, I'll leave it for Mick to sort.
