Front Brakes Imbalance

[Deleted]

My MOT man has failed the car. He reports Brakes imbalanced N/S low 60/100. I have taken the pads out and placed a piece of wood in their place and watched the cylinders move when the brake is gently applied.

I have also bled the braking system completely - all seems ok.
How do I know if I have rectified the situation by bleeding the system or is their no other choice other than going back for another MOT.
Car 3 litre front discs.
I look forward to receiving your comments.
Tony

[Phil Nottingham]

It may be a sticking caliper piston on the side with the lowest effort or a collapsing flexy tube or even corroded disks. What are the pads like - there should be a good 1/4" of material on them and the disks surfaces should be uncorroded particularly at the edges with no deep scores or ridges - there will always be some markings

Try a thinner piece of wood so that the piston comes out further - its useful to unpeel the dust cover from the piston then clean up the pistons sides lubricate with with rubber grease.

Make the pad steel edges are free from corrosion and put a the smear of copper grease on these edges and the steel back
.

Road test on on a clear piece of road when from a speed of 20mph brake heavily. There should be no side pull whatsoever.

Otherwise it may need reconditioned caliper and possibly new disks/pads

[Deleted]

Thanks Phil I will examine the whole set-up again.
Tony

[Deleted]

The effect of a restricted or blocked hose is a pull over to the un affected side then a veer to the other on release as the cylinder slowly releases.
I think that hoses should be dated and replaced after a period of use. Same as on calor gas hoses.

[stantondavies]

A careful road test is the only way most of us can check the brakes. If your remedial work has been effective Tony, the car should pull up straight. If it pulls to the right, then you are looking at new hoses (which I would fit anyway and record in a calendar) or refurbishing the callipers as Phil says.

[Deleted]

Thanks Peter for your comments. The car is now fine after re-furbishment of near side calliper. Also changed hoses, they seem slimmer (Goodrich). I just love playing and spending money on this car!
Tony

[glennr]

Well done Tony. If you get fed up spending money on your car you can always spend it on mine ;D

[Deleted]

tony said:

Thanks Peter for your comments. The car is now fine after re-furbishment of near side calliper. Also changed hoses, they seem slimmer (Goodrich). I just love playing and spending money on this car!
Tony

Only the near side? Best to have them both done at the same time than you won't have the same problem the other way around later on. One of mine has just started to give trouble and they are both off now to be sent away to Chelford for reconditioning next week.