Are my car brakes working?!??!!

steveo3002

the spongey ness wont go away on its own...take it back before you crash and end up costing you ££££££££

ariba10

If they feel soft or spongy underfoot it is most likely there is air in the fluid.

Get them checked and bled.

anewman

MercilessKiller wrote: »

Great idea Stephen. I will do this on thursday. I believe there is indeed a free brake check isn't there? And even though they may wear in I want to be safe than sorry on a long 5 hour drive in the train.

Free brake checks are usually an excuse to get you in so they can play on your fears about your brakes and replace the discs and pads like Kwikfit did. The parts are relatively cheap, and the job is relatively easy to do, and the mark up is high. It's profitable to do work that's not needed.

I agree with Stephen on the using another KwikFit and not getting out the receipt until they say whatever they've said. There have been stories of them proclaiming work needs doing, and then being asked about their guarantee on the work, then being told they can do it for free then :rotfl:

Sounds like the brakes need bleeding. It's a simple thing to do, and IMO should have been done as a matter of course after replacing the pads, but it seems KwikFit couldn't get it right first time and it's your life and the people's lives around you and your family who have to deal with their incompetence, if something happens due to reduced brake efficiency that is a result of something other than the pads needing bedding in.

LuciferTDark

snails's_pace wrote: »

im blonde and a woman so not much good with cars haha

What's that got to do with it? I'm a bloke & know nothing about how the things work. :D

KeithP

anewman wrote: »

Sounds like the brakes need bleeding. It's a simple thing to do, and IMO should have been done as a matter of course after replacing the pads, but it seems KwikFit couldn't get it right first time and it's your life and the people's lives around you and your family who have to deal with their incompetence, if something happens due to reduced brake efficiency that is a result of something other than the pads needing bedding in.

I'm not so sure that replacing pads and discs requires air to be bled from the system. It may depend on what the OP asked for or what was agreed to be done. Of course, any reputable garage should spot safety problems like this and suggest a solution.

anewman

KeithP wrote: »

I'm not so sure that replacing pads and discs requires air to be bled from the system. It may depend on what the OP asked for or what was agreed to be done. Of course, any reputable garage should spot safety problems like this and suggest a solution.

I think the reservoir tank cap has to be removed to wind back the calipers, and whilst you have the wheels off and the car up on a ramp and you're working on the brakes bleeding and cleaning after shouldn't be too expensive, time consuming or difficult.

Inactive

I wouldn't trust KwikFit with my wheelbarrow, let alone the brakes on my car.;)

thescouselander

KeithP wrote: »

I'm not so sure that replacing pads and discs requires air to be bled from the system. It may depend on what the OP asked for or what was agreed to be done. Of course, any reputable garage should spot safety problems like this and suggest a solution.

No, you don't normally have to bleed the brakes when changing the pads but if there is a lot of brake fluid in the reservoir it will overflow when you push the calliper piston back in. If you open the bleed nipple the excess fluid will come out of there instead - it also tends to make it easier to push the piston back in. The trouble is that you can get air in the system by doing this.


I think the best thing to do would be to get the brake fluid changed completely - it needs to be done every so often as it absorbs water and becomes compressible causing a sponge feel. It shouldn't cost too much to have this done.

goldspanners

you dont need to bleed the brakes if the pads and discs have been done,but if the shoes have been changed on the back then it would be a good idea to do it.
but your problem as many others have said sounds like a bit of air in the brake fluid system.
water in the fluid doesnt make it feel spongy,water in the brake fluid boils off at high temperature,usually when you need the brakes most and the pedal will hit the floor.

thescouselander

goldspanners wrote: »

you dont need to bleed the brakes if the pads and discs have been done,but if the shoes have been changed on the back then it would be a good idea to do it.
but your problem as many others have said sounds like a bit of air in the brake fluid system.
water in the fluid doesnt make it feel spongy,water in the brake fluid boils off at high temperature,usually when you need the brakes most and the pedal will hit the floor.

moisture in the brake fluid will make the pedal feel spongy due to the reasons you described. Complete brake failure is the extreme case.

Anyway, if the brakes are being bleed they might as well replace all the fluid as as it will have to be topped up during the bleeding process.