Braking Problems

KKV270 · Post by **KKV270** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 2:43 am

My drum has been leaking of brake fluid.

Some recent history, I'd adjusted the brakes by adjusting the nuts accessible from the drums' hole at the front.
On driving, it seems the nuts tightened themselves and the wheel started to smoke out of the friction. I redid the matter and carried on.

Having explained earlier about my clutch shatter ptoblem, I reduced the tension on my hand brake as I thought there might have been some co-relation as the brakes were the only thing I had done prior to the clutch shatter problem.

Interesting thing, the clutch shatter has stopped...but now I have a car with pathetic brakes (a more serious matter), having to pump twice or more for them to hold.... and then I looked down to see fluid leak on the wheel that had smoked.

I may be addressing different issues. But again, they seem co-related.
Kindly advice.

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 11:20 am

It's a leaking wheel cylinder. You need to replace it, and keep an eye on the brake fluid level.

If you've never serviced your brakes, it may need more than just one wheel cylinder replaced.

KKV270 · Post by **KKV270** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 1:18 pm

Thanks Blue Baron.

I appreciate the feedback. I will get down to it and feed-you-back on the results.

Regards.

hercdriver · Post by **hercdriver** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 6:29 am

KKV270 wrote:My drum has been leaking of brake fluid.

Are you certain that it is brake fluid? I recently had fluid leaking from my left rear wheel that I assumed was brake fluid. It turned out to be gear box oil that was leaking from the wheel bearing seal.

If that is what you find when you remove the wheel for inspection, here is a helpful video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGOIWhl5SKc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDXwz4ftvyw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0TxH4NCGUE

and the parts....
https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/Deta ... 111598051A

KKV270 · Post by **KKV270** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 12:14 pm

Hey Hercdriver,

been a while. Thankd for the feedback. it is brake fluid (on the front wheel)
Found a messed up wheel cylinder.

Tried servicing it but didn;t work ...and decided to get a replacement that I'm going to fix in a minute.

Cheers.

Thanks for the videos as well.

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Wed Jun 05, 2013 2:42 pm

It's a good idea to replace them in pairs. (That's one of those do-as-I-say, don't-do-as-I-do things.)

Also, if the brake shoes are soaked with brake fluid, they'll also need to be replaced.

KKV270 · Post by **KKV270** » Thu Jun 06, 2013 2:52 pm

Hi.
Replaced the wheel cylinder and stumbled upon a leak on one of the rubber linings that I replaced.

Not sure what was wrong with my bleeding...but it didn't work. Have a braking that has to be pumped to hold. Will look into the matter again....plus as you say Blue Baron, I have (or don't have) shoes that are totally out on the other front wheel - all notice after I thought I'd rather look at the condition of the other wheel now that I was on it. The lining on one of the shoes just fell off (in pieces)... which means the same may be happening in the one I've just replace.

I guess I just have to do my whole braking system....shoes and cylinders. I bet it is a safe and sure way/thing to go/do.

Thanks.

KKV270 · Post by **KKV270** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 11:40 am

Hi.

Glad to say I found the reason to my non-ending braking problem. A worn-out master cylinder (leaking). It was a fortunate realization.

Got a master cylinder repair kit that worked out the service. Also glad to know there are rubbers available in the market that can be used to service the wheel sylinders.

Well, done with this chapter.

KKV270 · Post by **KKV270** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 5:24 am

Hi.

I recently refit my front wheel cylinders and master cylinder rubber linings. The braking worked perfect. However, seems like the back ones can't take the pressure and need to be done as well as they've started leaking.

I have a pair of spare wheel cylinders but looking at the size, they seem larger than what I once saw at the back. Can they fit as well as an alternative for the smaller cylinders I saw?

Any reason why the back wheel cylinders are smaller?

Kindly assist me to save me the pain of starting a task to redo again.

Cheers.

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 1:51 pm

The rear wheel cylinders are smaller because the front brakes perform more than 60 percent of the braking. Replace the rear cylinders with the correct size.

KKV270 · Post by **KKV270** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 2:11 pm

Hi Blue Baron,

I chose to replace things as they were believing there must have bee a very good reason. Glad to now know why so.

Thanks.

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