Bleeding trouble!

[psychos2005]

Hi. I am having trouble with air (I think) in my front braking system. Have tried bleeding several times to no avail. The offside appears ok and comes into play immediately on touching the brake pedal. However, the pedal is a little spongy (first inch or so) until I have pumped a few times and the nearside will not actuat until I have done this. After 5 seconds and releasing the brake pedal it's back to the same fault. New pistons have been fitted both sides and the servo is only two years old (so I am told). The pads have even ware and are about half way down. Bit annoying this as I have bled many cars succssfully in the past. Owned the car for 6 months and it's great except fo this. Any ideas please? Thanks Neil.

[chris.g]

I've never been able to bleed just the front or rear seperately Allways had to do front and back together. Allways presumed that this is due to the split brake system

Chris

[psychos2005]

I've never been able to bleed just the front or rear seperately Allways had to do front and back together. Allways presumed that this is due to the split brake system

Chris
Thanks for this Chris. I will give it a try and bleed the back as well and I will do that first. It will be a week or so before I get around to attacking the problem again but I will let you know how I get on. Appreciate your help. Neil.

[DaveK]

Neil,

What model E-type do you own?

Dave

[psychos2005]

Neil,

What model E-type do you own?

Dave


Hi Dave. I have 4.2 / S1 / 2+2 / 1967. Thanks for your interest. Neil.

[DaveK]

Neil,

I am not that familiar with the 4.2 braking system but I think you may find that it has a split front rear system that works diagonally back to front.
The idea being if you lose one system you still have a front and rear brake which will eventually stop you in a straight line.
Have you got the Haynes manual if so there is a braking diagram in there.
My car being a 3.8 is split back to front so when I bleed mine I do the rear brakes and then the front or the other way round as one doesn't affect the other.
If you are uncertain check the routes of the brake pipes, one should run to the front off the master cylinder the other to the rear and vice versa for the other side.

Dave

[psychos2005]

Thanks for this information Dave. I intend to run my car over my pit this weekend and have another go at the problem. Yes, it appears the system is split and the Haynes manual I have just received this week depicts this. I will keep you posted of my progress. Thanks again. Neil.

[chris.g]

Mine's also a Series 1 2+2 1966
The split in the system is the servo
The piston covers the port that has the fluid loss. Which I belive having rebuilt the front or rear brakes when you try to bleed either the front or rear brakes the sytem "thinks" there is a fluid loss and the split system works.
That's why I bleed both front & rear at the same time.
Hope this makes sense!
Chris

[psychos2005]

Hi Chris. Thanks for your assistance in this matter. Have bled both front and back and my problem has now been successfully rectified; really pleased. Did have a little trouble bleeding the back (first) but got there in the end. Neil.

[psychos2005]

Hi Dave. Thanks for your assistance in this matter. Have bled both front and back and my problem has now been successfully rectified; really pleased. Did have a little trouble bleeding the back (first) but got there in the end. Neil.