182 brakes dangerous!

[ben_r1]

I'm all out of ideas here. This time last year the brakes on the misses 182 ( converted 1.4 with all sport brake setup front/rear ) were sharp and precise, even I was satisfied by their performance and I drive a 197 with CL pads.

Over a gradual time they have slowly got soft and spongy, so what thats just air getting in right? The cars occasionally driven hard and regulary getting brake temps well up so I thought a fresh bleed would help. This didn't improve them at all though, no air came out and I did it in the correct order both with a pressure bleed and pedal pumping method, several times!

So I looked elsewhere in the system. It has braided lines but it's not leaking anywhere or losing fluid, the calipers all round have been cleaned, greased and checked and are all free moving. On that note the car doesn't pull. The brake pads were changed as good measure and the discs are serviceable, although slightly lipped both ends. The handbrake has always been poor and still is. Master cylinder was changed as good measure, no better.

I have a solid pedal with the engine off but soon as it starts it goes crap. This car is now dangerous to drive, even an emergency stop in the rain fails to see the wheels lock. It still has 1.4 abs rings on the driveshafts so the abs is inactive and the pump doesn't operate.

Ideas please before I have to call it a day and take it off the road?

 

[Adam.]

Leaky vac pipe?

 

[ben_r1]

I would have thought that would cause a stiffer pedal due to lack of assistance? The pedal has no feel and travels nearly to the floor, the first half of travel its as light as the throttle. Pumping it does not improve them.

 

[JackJack]

Leaky vac pipe?

+1 or servo related?

Edit: just see above :S

 

[ben_r1]

Somebody suggested the air is stuck in the abs pump and because I can't activate the system it won't bleed out. Can anyone confirm that?

 

[Gray]

Checking the vac pipe is a good shout, Vicky runs ITB's now doesnt she? that would have required a new vac pipe / re-routing.

I was under the impression if you disable the ABS it reverts to 50/50 braking? although I could be wrong....

 

[ben_r1]

Yes it runs ITBs but the brakes were shocking before the work and didnt change after. It's a good shout I'd imagine the vac pipe was replaced so unlikely to be leaking.

I believe from research its a 60/40 split with no abs. It's run no abs for 2 years and the first year the brakes were faultless and the fronts still locked before rears.

 

[BIGASH]

I always thought the same as Gray but along as the ABS module has power then the load valve still works. Re-plumb without the pump and put a cup load valve on? I think that would be the best option as I think you will be correct about air in the ABS pump.

 

[Fred@BTM]

hang on, you still have the ABS on the car but not powered (electronically)???

 

[Tony Hunter]

hang on, you still have the ABS on the car but not powered (electronically)???

I was thinking that, or I had read it wrongly.

 

[ben_r1]

hang on, you still have the ABS on the car but not powered (electronically)???

All the abs system is still fitted and plugged in but due to different toothed rings front and rear the warning lights on and it doesn't operate. But yes still plugged in otherwise I wouldnt have the speedo!