Brake pedal traavel after caliper replacement

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chi0328@yahoo.com - 23 Dec 2006 08:20 GMT

I just had the rear calipers replaced on my '95 civic si. I
immediately noticed when braking that my brake pedal seemed to sink
about twice as far to the floor as it used to. I've owned this car
since new and have never experienced this much brake pedal travel. The
e-brake also pulls all the way up to its stop and still won't hold
the car on the slightest incline. I decided to bring the car back to
the shop and tell them they must have not bled the brakes. They bled
them again and said they're free of air. They also mentioned that
the lever on the caliper were the e-brake cable attaches seemed
stripped out on both sides (one side worse than the other). I find it
hard to believe that both remaned calipers would be bad. I plan on
removing the rear wheels in a bit to check out the action of the
calipers e-brake lever. If I have a bad e-brake mechanism on both
calipers I would think it would only affect the e-brake and not the
actual brake pedal. Does anyone have a thought on what could be
causing this?

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Tegger - 23 Dec 2006 14:51 GMT

chi0328@yahoo.com wrote in news:1166862057.226706.162620
@a3g2000cwd.googlegroups.com:

> I just had the rear calipers replaced on my '95 civic si. I
> immediately noticed when braking that my brake pedal seemed to sink
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> actual brake pedal. Does anyone have a thought on what could be
> causing this?

Rear calipers are difficult to bleed properly. There is so much stuff
inside them that air bubbles are easily trapped. If all your garage did was
bolt them in place and bleed, there are still bubbles stuck inside.

To properly bleed rear calipers, you need to have them OFF the mount
bracket. A block of wood is inserted so the piston cannot be ejected. The
caliper is then rotated and tapped with a nylon hammer to shock air bubbles
loose. With the bleed nipple held vertically, the system is then bled.
Repeat from above until all air is gone.

The external parking brake mechanism will not affect piston operation.

Signature

Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

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jim beam - 23 Dec 2006 20:42 GMT

not bled properly. do like tegger says.

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jim beam - 23 Dec 2006 20:45 GMT

>> I just had the rear calipers replaced on my '95 civic si. I
>> immediately noticed when braking that my brake pedal seemed to sink
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>>
> not bled properly. do like tegger says.

and find yourself an alternative mechanic for the future - these guys
don't know their business and are potentially an expensive [dangerous]
liability.

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