Seicento sporting 2003 - Brake failure on cliff side road

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Mon 14 Mar 2016 21:28
Seicento sporting 2003 - Brake failure on cliff side road - Bobbys
Hi all, my brakes have had a lot of work done over the past couple of weeks. New discs and pads on the front and (I quote this from the garage invoice) "stripping, freeing + rebuilding rear brakes and front callipers".

This evening I was driving a very windy and steep road around the local cliffs when my brake pedal sunk all the way to the floor without doing anything. Luckily there was nothing in front. I was able to throw it into second and with a few pumps of the pedal, the braking was restored. This happened another 3 times on the way home, but I crawled it back. There's no barriers on the road to stop you plunging a long way down and needless to say, my trousers are in the wash!

About 10 minutes before this, I had stopped for petrol. When I pulled away and sped up to 40mph, the engine vibrated a lot through the pedals and steering wheel. This lasted for a few miles. I've also recently had a new exhaust and a small hole in the manifold was also fixed, so I put the vibrations down to the manifold hole not being completely plugged, but this wouldn't affect the brakes I assume?

Also I started to get paranoid that the steering felt a lot looser than usual. I've since read that the brakes and power steering share the same fluid on some cars?

Anyone have any ideas? I'm thinking that the brake lines weren't bled properly after the work was carried out? The mechanic isn't at work until Wednesday, so you have until then to convince me not to beat him to death with a rusty spanner....
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Mon 14 Mar 2016 23:38
Seicento sporting 2003 - Brake failure on cliff side road - Wackyracer

If they pumped the pedal to bleed the brakes it's probably damaged the seals in the master cylinder.

On an old car, the bore of the cylinder will get a lip caused by wear. If the piston is pushed past the normal travel this lip can damage the seal and then it can let by.

Edited by Wackyracer on 14/03/2016 at 23:39

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