[ODIN]

Ok when I press my brakes hard the brake pedal will go to the floor, feels like jelly, but when I tap on the brakes its fine. Im thinking this might be the master cylinder?? or could it be that I need to bleed my brakes? ( I have a leaking rear caliper)
thx

 

[PeterD]

ODIN,

When you pump the brakes at a stand still, does the pressure build up and up and up?

And then when you hold the pressure, does it gradually squeeze down the pedal, or hold it??

It could be the things you mention, could also be a booster issue.

Pete

 

[GotF2TinGD]

mine does the same thing i can push my pedal to the floor when sitting there with it running.. though when i drive it its alright i think its because i dont have the fluid full but would that make a differnce ?

 

[ODIN]

On the way home the brake warning light went on and was on nearly all the time even when I wasnt braking. I topped up the brake fluid resevoir, however that wasn't at the min level either. I can get pressure back if I pump the peddle, its just if I press down on the brake, then it goes to the floor, its ok when braking lightly.

 

[ducktape69]

sounds like the rings in the master cylinder are gone..i.e. letting the fluid pass without it applying the force to the rings which causes the car to stop...

i dont think u will see any leak from this...but i could be wrong..by the way a new master cylinder is about $800 for our cars imported from japan hehe

 

[rodhog]

Well it sounds like a leak or air

but be carefull it's not shamphered pads this can make you think brakes are fine but when you go for them you have ot pump twice to get some brakes.

What oyu have discribed sounds like shamphered pads.
I've had it many times. Hard brakeing does it.

cheek the pads to see how champhered they are.
With wheels off it's hard with out taking the caliper off but just pump hard with booster off.
then see it the tops are thiner then the bottom in terms of pad to disc. but also try and see if you can push the pad at the top on to the disc, as some times pumping them will put the thicker bit hard up and make it look okay.

 

[ODIN]

Just checked, the brake pedal goes to the floor when I brake with the car switched off as well. Doesnt this seem to point to the master cylinder???

 

[PeterD]

It would certainly point to the master cylinder.

Check for leaks quickly around the bleed nipples of all your calipers. Then check for leaks around your master cylinder.

But I'd say more likely master cylinder. No need to buy a new one, just have yours fitted with new seals from a brake place, and it MAY nee re-sleaving too?

Let us know how it goes.

Pete

 

[bluedraco]

if you do need to replace the master cylinder, i suggest you actually buy a brand new one...

re-sleaving sometimes costs as much as a new one (labour costs) and if it's cost effective (it was for me) it's better to buy the new one...that way it comes with warranty and everything and don't get stuffed around...

that's just my honest opinion

 

[PeterD]

A seal kit costs around $80-100.

Where can you buy a new master cylinder for that much?

Pete

 

[bluedraco]

labour costs in resealing a master cylinder will actually work out (sometimes) to be more expensive than just buying a new master cylinder...

for example, mine was leaking not so long ago and i had the option of having it re-sleaved (with the kit) for $1xx or i could buy a whole new master cylinder with 12 months warranty for $165...

that's my experience and that's why i said what i said...

even if it cost 20% more for a new one (which it didn't in my case) i still would probably buy the new one...

 

[Stevo]

Sounds like master cylinder to me. Go to a brake specialist. A replacement one can cost from $170 (tx5 turbo auto) to $270 (MX6 manual).

 

[PeterD]

Fair call....

I wasn't aware that a new master cylinder could be had for as little as $165 or even $200.

My understanding was $500+

Which for a 2nd gen, I'd still say is about right, unless there is a similar alternative to what you used?

That wasn't genuine Mazda right, what brand is that?

Cheers
Pete

 

[ODIN]

Well I seem to have found out its not the brake master cylinder, it looks fine, couldnt see any leaks, however had a look around the rear of the car this morning, and there was actually a puddle of brake fluid there. Basically from the wheel back theres a spattering of brake fluid, even on the tyre itself. The caliper itself was only oily around where the springs or cable( whatever you call it is) the brake lines themselves looked dry from what I could see.. It seems to have only gotten this bad since yesterday.


Had a talk to a brake specialist , theyre going to have a look at it. However they said they would want to recondition both, since they said if they only did one, it would upset the brake bias, because the seals etc would be in a better condition than the other side( even though it was recoed 18 months ago) Are they talking crap or is that reasonable to assume?

I dont really have the time to fix it myself or try at the moment, bit too busy with work and study. Plus it looks like the right side is totally stuffed. Alternatively ill look into the ge2 calipers again

I think I better not drive the car much till this is fixed, too dangerous...

 

[PeterD]

Yeah what they said is true...you should reco both.

Good to hear it's not master cylinder. Althought the caliper reco could run you up some $$$ too.

 

[ducktape69]

yeah they are expensive to fix ... but with somethin as important as brakes...i would take it to a brake specialist..

thats what i did...and the problem ended up being nothing more than some air in the system...so he bled it for me and refilled
= $50

goodluck mate

 

[Mr. MX6]

this is hardy a surprise is it mate.. did you manage to get hold of any one that stocks the kit? ..

or.. OMG!!
Don’t tell me you have already fitted new kits and now this happened?

 

[ODIN]

the calipers were reconditoned 18 months or so ago. and now the right ones totally shat itself by the looks of it. Not really happy with 18 months life out of it . Will be looking for a set of ge2 calipers I think.

Wasnt able to contact that company, no reply.

 

[Guest]

Brakes are like tyres and suspension, always fix them in pairs other wise you will upset the balance of the car and find your self in a spin literally every time your hit the brakes on a wet road.