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Brake pedal to the floor...

DazTheMe

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Location
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Car
Accord 2.2i Dtec
I'll try keep this brief as I usually go on a bit. Basically, I pulled the hand brake up maybe a bit harder than usual, pulled away again to continue my journey then when I went to apply the brake about 1.5miles down the road, the brake pedal went to the floor with minimal engagement of the brakes.

Found somewhere safe to pullover and checked all 4 wheels. Drivers side rear caliper had obviously stuck on (I know this is common with these anyway, I did free up the pads/pins last month) as it was letting of a lot of heat compared to the other 3 which were only warm to the touch.

So I babied it to a public car park, gently pulled the hand brake up and down a few times to try unstick the caliper, also pumped the brakes a few times. Now, the brakes do feel a bit firmer again, but what I have noticed now, is even after pumping the brakes to get a hard pedal, it starts to creep back down.

So would this be a leak somewhere (I can't see any fluid leaks at the wheels but its now dark outside so I will double check tomorrow also the brake fluid IS still topped off in reservoir) or have I somehow destroyed the master cylinder along with the rear brake caliper?

Irony is a cow, I literally got a set of front discs and pads sitting at home ready to be fitted.
 
Is there a loss of brake fluid? - in the fluid reservoir?

With the engine off, pump the brake pedal a few times. Should get a hard pedal quite quickly. If not, then I would suspect the seals are shot in the master cylinder.
 
Well this morning I took off the rear caliper, the piston was very difficult to wind back in. Brake fluid reservoir is still full, with no visible leaks. I put everything back together and went for a drive. The brakes engage as normal, albeit feel a bit weak, but I'm due pads/discs on the front anyway which I know are 85% worn. Discs have atleast 80k on them.

I'm not sure if its possible when the caliper got stuck yesterday (probably my fault for yanking the handbrake too hard) it might of overheated the brake fluid in that caliper causing gas/air into the system. Either way, I think I'm going to replace the front discs and pads as planned and then attempt to bleed out the sticky rear caliper and find a new one promptly. I know these can be rebuilt but It'd be less hassle to find a replacement and get something back for the old caliper. I've found this one on eBay, seems like a reasonable price, compared part numbers and you get £65 refund. Any input on how decent Apec calipers are? I would ***ume it's a refurbished caliper with Apec internals? Here is a link of it. Also I would be bleeding the whole system once everything is in place but am reluctant to ***ume its the master cylinder straight away as I know the discs/pads (which I already have) and its very evident now that the caliper is in need of replacement.

Any additional input or thoughts are greatly appreciated, thanks for taking the time to read this.

-Daz
 
Hi have you looked at a firm called Brakes International, prices competitive as i have used them for my series 7 accord calipers and pads.
 
Oh nice. Will definitely bookmark that. I went ahead and purchased the apec one from eBay. *Didn't see replies before buying*, I'll just need to return mine for a £65 refund then thankfully the price turns out about the same as brakes international.

Will definitely use them for any further brake problems. Thanks alot guys.
 
Daz.

I've used Apec disks and pads for years on my previous Renault and on my current Accord and FRV without any issues. Just had to replace the rear caliper and slide pins on the FRV cost £118 with a £18 refund on the old caliper so £100.

John
 
Do I need a handbrake adjustment after replacing the caliper, or just transfer the cable over and bleed the new caliper?
 
If it's the saloon i would say yes, If it's the tourer then no as the rear brake setup is different in that the cable act on shoes in the drum and not via the caliper as on the saloon.
 
Fitted new front discs/pads today without too much hassle thankfully just very stiff allen bolts. Rear caliper arrived and will fit that tomorrow, also I plan on flushing/bleeding the entire brake system tomorrow - Is there a prefered order on the accord or shall I just start at the replacement caliper and move my way over and then to the front?

*Also, would 500ml of brake fluid be enough or should I get another 500ml bottle.

Thanks
 
Bleed sequence is:.

1st Front Left
2nd Front Right
3rd Rear Right
4th Rear Left

I would have some more fluid just in case.
 
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