Brake System Issues with 1993 VPII SS

[danielanastasi]

Hey Everyone,

I'm asking this on behalf of my mother as she's the one who owns the car. She's not overly computer minded so I thought I'd post it. As it's not my car, I can only provide so much information, but if anything needs to be claryifed then I can

Starting from the beginning here.

A few years ago I think, we had routine pad change on the car, and ever since then, the brakes have a really 'spongey' feel to them. Our mechanic said that the production of the pads had changed to no longer incorporate asbestos (And a few other things I think...)

Mum was unhappy with the braking of the car, so the rotors were changed. Braking did not improve so the rotors were again changed to genuine holden rotors, but still no improvement...The braking is especially bad when the brakes get warm.

The car was in at a professional brake centre the other day and the system was given the once over, with no faults, no problems, nothing... The whole system seems fine...

I have had the car for a little while and I must admit that they did feel like I needed to push the pedal down further to get the same level of braking as when the old pads were on. Not quite sure if they are as bad as she says though.

There have also been a couple of occassions where the brakes have failed all together. I believe when the brakes were warm.

I'm no mechanic by any means, but I suggested that maybe she was after a tighter brake feel, so she should look at getting some braided brake lines, and some racing fluid. I also thought something like some slotted DBA's with some bendix pads would be a good way to go. Maybe look at some aftermarked, larger calipers as well.

She doesn't want to keep running around and getting no improvement, so has anyone got any suggestions should of a $10K brake system upgrade?

Thanks for your help everyone!

Dan

[greenacc]

If it was mine i would change the pads to something decent, and replace the brake fluid / bleed all 4 wheels. Have the pads been changed since the problem started?

[Reaper]

Change the brake fluid and renew the flexible brake hoses. Also check the master cyl is functioning correctly - your friendly brakes plus (or whoever) should be able to do all of this.

btw - Commodores have notoriously spongy pedals. I fitted braided brake lines to my vp which went some way to fixing this.

Reaper

[danielanastasi]

Thanks Guys,

Green; The pads have also been changed between a few different types. Fluid has been changed and bled not too long ago, but I was thinking maybe some top of the line fluid?

Reaper - I have heard that they are notoriously spongey... Is that just because the car is getting older? Coz they haven't always been like this...

I'll see if the master cyl has been checked, but I think I'll tell her to get some braided lines then. It might just fix it enough to make her happy

Thanks guys,

Dan

[pow3rslave]

i agree with reaper and greenacc. sounds like there might be water in the system. brake fluid is hydroscopic which means it absorbs water really easily, even from the atmosphere. and any water contamination makes the fluid boil easier and decreases its braking ability.
any air in the system will also give a spongey pedal feel because it compresses differently than straight fluid.
a fluid flush and bleed would be my first recommendation. brakes plus or whoever should be good to do this.