Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 939 Series (159, Brera and Brera Spider) => Topic started by: V AR 164 on September 19, 2018, 03:07:29 PM

Title: 159 no pressure brake pedal
Post by: V AR 164 on September 19, 2018, 03:07:29 PM
Hi all,

Yesterday I removed my front calipers to repaint them. I undid the brake line and let the fluid drain into a container.

Upon reinstallation today, I attached the calipers and began to bleed the brakes. I removed all the air bubbles and the pedal felt good when the car was turned off.

However, when I turned the car on to take it for a drive, the brake pedal went straight to the floor with very little resistance.

I thought there was air in the system still, so I bled the brakes again and made sure there are no air bubbles.

Again took the car for a drive and the pedal went to the floor.

When it gets to the very end, it applies some brake force and the car does stop. However if I pump the pedal I get pressure back but it still doesn't stop the car.

I am lost and got no idea what else to do? I have never had this issue before.

Obviously I have bled the front and back calipers.

Any ideas? Need the car for tomorrow so right now I'm kinda screwed  >:(

Andrew.
Title: Re: 159 no pressure brake pedal
Post by: V AR 164 on September 19, 2018, 03:12:19 PM
Edit:

It's not the brake master seals as when I hold the brake pedal at the floor, I try to let out the clutch but the car won't move forward in 1st, which means it's holding pressure, but not properly.
Title: Re: 159 no pressure brake pedal
Post by: bazzbazz on September 19, 2018, 03:28:54 PM
You need to bleed it at the master cylinder union point. Engine bay, drivers side, firewall, just follow the solid brake lines from the Reservoir. You'll see the bleed nipple.

Also there are 2 sets of bleed nipples on the front Brembo Calipers, you bleed the inner ones first then the outer ones.

So do the Master first, then the Calipers, you will also have much better success using a pressure bleeder.
Title: Re: 159 no pressure brake pedal
Post by: V AR 164 on September 19, 2018, 07:16:51 PM
Cheers bazz, if you were in Vic I'd take you out for a cold brew hahaha, saved me heaps of time as I wouldn't have found that for a few more hours at least.

Anyway, bled the master then bled the calipers again. Pedal feel improved significantly but still not perfect.

I just read online now that there is in fact 2 bleed nipples on the master cylinder.... I only did one....

If I have some time I'll try it again tonight.

Cheers, Andrew.
Title: Re: 159 no pressure brake pedal
Post by: bazzbazz on September 19, 2018, 08:10:08 PM
May I suggest next time to clamp off the flexible hoses to the calipers, there are clamps available from most automotive places that will do the job without damaging the hose.

Makes life much easier.  :)
Title: Re: 159 no pressure brake pedal
Post by: Citroƫnbender on September 19, 2018, 09:44:42 PM
QuoteI just read online now that there is in fact 2 bleed nipples on the master cylinder.
And twelve solenoids in the VDC bloc, all waiting to stash away air for that moment you're banking on a firm pedal.  :o
Title: Re: 159 no pressure brake pedal
Post by: V AR 164 on September 19, 2018, 11:25:02 PM
Indeed was gonna buy a couple brake line hose clamps, but they were 9 bucks each and I thought 'nah they're too expensive, I don't need em'....

Needless to say I think $18 clamps would have been cheaper than the $50 I spent on brake fluid......

Bled the other side of the master and the brakes work perfectly again. Instant response when you touch the pedal.

"And twelve solenoids in the VDC bloc, all waiting to stash away air for that moment you're banking on a firm pedal"

Let's hope that is not the case   :-\

Andrew
Title: Re: 159 no pressure brake pedal
Post by: V AR 164 on September 20, 2018, 09:14:17 AM
Drove to uni today, brake pedal felt awesome and give heaps of confidence, even more so than before.

Anyway here's a pic of the finished calipers, I think they turned out freaking awesome  8)

(http://i.imgur.com/ogzISEb.jpg) (http://imgur.com/ogzISEb)

Cheers guys, Andrew.