| xa0s 
 Banned
 Registered: 4th Mar 08
 Location: Dartford, Kent Car: Turbo'd Fabia vRS
 User status: Offline
 
 | Replaced my nans brake pads on her 1.2 8v 5-door B and after wards the pedal seemed to have a lot more travel. It's apparently getting worse now. Fluid obviously expanded and I've drained it out so it was the same level as it was before, not touched anything to do with bleeding etc.
 
 Why are they so shit? It was fine before I changed the pads
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| Ian 
 Site Administrator
 Registered: 28th Aug 99 Location: Liverpool
 User status: Offline
 
 | Probably needs bleeding.
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| Steve 
 Premium Member
 Registered: 30th Mar 02 Location: Worcestershire             Drives: Defender
 User status: Offline
 
 | Unit 18 can sort
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| Steve 
 Premium Member
 Registered: 30th Mar 02 Location: Worcestershire             Drives: Defender
 User status: Offline
 
 | Have you pumped the pedal a few times
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| xa0s 
 Banned
 Registered: 4th Mar 08
 Location: Dartford, Kent Car: Turbo'd Fabia vRS
 User status: Offline
 
 | 
 quote:Originally posted by Steve
 Have you pumped the pedal a few times
 
 Yer, it was getting better, to an acceptable level, but now I've been told the pedal is travelling further and further... Bit worrying! Fluid level is the same so wtf?
 
 
 quote:Originally posted by Ian
 Probably needs bleeding.
 
 Even though it was fine before the pads were changed? I can't work out how/why it'd change anything regarding bleeding but will give it a go, can't not help I gusss
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| Rob R 
 Member
 Registered: 31st May 03
 Location: Kent
 User status: Offline
 
 | You fitted new pads but didn't bleed the brakes afterwards?
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| Rob B 
 Member
 Registered: 8th Jan 04
 Location: Area Motorsport               Drives: Race EP3
 User status: Offline
 
 | Why would you need to bleed the brakes after fitting new brake pads ?
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| Corsa_Sport21 
 Member
 Registered: 13th Apr 08
 Location: Leven, Fife. Drives : 205 GTi
 User status: Offline
 
 | Ive never had to bleed brakes after fitting pads.Why would you??
 
 But if you have drained fluid out, and refilled it, then you will need to bleed them.
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| AshWatson 
 Member
 Registered: 18th Jun 10
 Location: West Yorkshire
 User status: Offline
 
 | 
 quote:Originally posted by Rob B
 Why would you need to bleed the brakes after fitting new brake pads ?
 
 
 ^ This....
 
 Dont think it matters with the B's but i work in a dealership and when i started as an apprentice years ago i got told and know a few people who work in garages too etc who say the same, on the newer vauxhalls your supposed to crack the bleed nipple open before you push the caliper piston back otherwise you get this sympton after as its the seals flipped around in the master cylinder
  lol 
 probably not this like just an idea though
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| Ian 
 Site Administrator
 Registered: 28th Aug 99 Location: Liverpool
 User status: Offline
 
 | I've always bled them myself.
 
 It's worth a check anyway.
 
 I think he means he took fluid out of the reservoir when the caliper pistons were retarded to accept the new pads.  In which case you may need to add more fluid when they bed in.
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| dhdev 
 Member
 Registered: 22nd Dec 05
 Location: Midlands
 User status: Offline
 
 | It could be that the pistons had corroded and now that you've pushed them back into the bores they are leaking.
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| Steve 
 Premium Member
 Registered: 30th Mar 02 Location: Worcestershire             Drives: Defender
 User status: Offline
 
 | you shouldnt need to bleed just after doing pads, but if its spongy sounds like it needs doing, how old is the fluid? it absorbs water over time and this can cause this effect
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| xa0s 
 Banned
 Registered: 4th Mar 08
 Location: Dartford, Kent Car: Turbo'd Fabia vRS
 User status: Offline
 
 | 
 quote:Originally posted by Ian
 I've always bled them myself.
 
 It's worth a check anyway.
 
 I think he means he took fluid out of the reservoir when the caliper pistons were retarded to accept the new pads.  In which case you may need to add more fluid when they bed in.
 
 Yeah I absorbed some fluid into a rag. The fluid level is the same as it was before I did the pads.
 
 
 quote:Originally posted by AshWatson
 
 quote:Originally posted by Rob B
 Why would you need to bleed the brakes after fitting new brake pads ?
 
 
 ^ This....
 
 Dont think it matters with the B's but i work in a dealership and when i started as an apprentice years ago i got told and know a few people who work in garages too etc who say the same, on the newer vauxhalls your supposed to crack the bleed nipple open before you push the caliper piston back otherwise you get this sympton after as its the seals flipped around in the master cylinder
  lol 
 probably not this like just an idea though
 
 Makes sense, they were hard getting them back, proper had to force them. Would this mean a new M/C?
 
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| Fro 
 Member
 Registered: 20th Jun 06
 Location: Rainham, Essex      Drives: A3 2.0TDi Sport
 User status: Offline
 
 | If that's the case you would need calipers not a new MC.
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| xa0s 
 Banned
 Registered: 4th Mar 08
 Location: Dartford, Kent Car: Turbo'd Fabia vRS
 User status: Offline
 
 | 
 quote:Originally posted by Fro
 If that's the case you would need calipers not a new MC.
 
 How comes? He said seals in the m/c?
 
 is there anyway to find out? the fluid level is the same, doesnt change
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| xa0s 
 Banned
 Registered: 4th Mar 08
 Location: Dartford, Kent Car: Turbo'd Fabia vRS
 User status: Offline
 
 | nan said if she pumps pedal the pedal goes more firm, does that mean the m/c is ok?
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| _Allan_ 
 Member
 Registered: 24th Mar 04
 User status: Offline
 
 | Just get your nan a set of Alpinestars boots, she can open the door and stop with her feet or dab and turn to avoid the VOSA stops.
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| sc0ott 
 Member
 Registered: 16th Feb 09
 User status: Offline
 
 | Upgrade her brakes to the 2.0 ones.
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| Mertin 
 Member
 Registered: 12th Oct 05
 Location: Scotland
 User status: Offline
 
 | Check the calipers for any leaks showing?
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| MarkSport 
 Member
 Registered: 22nd May 09
 User status: Offline
 
 | I've always bled my brakes after doing pads, discs or fluid. as steve said water gets in after a certain length of time. its better safe than sorry as they say!
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