eds Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 I know this subject is well documented so please forgive stupidity and repetition! I changed the rear brake shoes and cylinders but still have spongy brakes until 3 presses of pedal and then they are firm as a rock. I read that the rear brake shoes have to be put on the right way round but when I fitted them they appeared to be all identical and not handed so I just fitted them. Have I gone wrong. I adjusted them up nicely and bled them twice after a long run but still the brake pedal goes half way down then quarter of the way down and finally no movement at all. Is it possible to make the brake pedal firm on first press or am I hoping for too much? Have I mis understood how to fit the rear shoes and are they indeed handed? Thanks Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 Ok I'm thick I put the brake shoes on the wrong way round Sorry about that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 glad you got it sorted & didn't have to spend anymore hard earnt cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 What a mess mess, I tested the brake pedal for working without the shoes on one side and exploded the wheel cylinder all over the drive, what a mess! My question remains though - How can I reduce the brake pedal travel to be firm on first press? I have refitted brake shoes correctly Adjusted front shoe then rear shoe nicely And bled all four corners, 5 pedal pushes each with no air. So how can I make the bleedin pedal firm! Is it even possible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Clamp the rear hose, then try it. If the pedal is then nice and hard, that will tell you if the problem lies with the rear brakes. Other things that can cause soft multi-pump brakes include wheel bearings (move the discs about, pushing the pistons back into the calipers) and soft (old) brake hoses that are expanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 I can't clamp the brake pipe as it is a stainless shield hose. All pipes are new too. Can't think what could be wrong with the rear brakes except more adjustment and have them rubbing ever so slightly. They do become rock hard after a push or two but leave it for a few seconds and back to lots of travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Ed, is it a 110? Are you 100% sure they are fitted the correct way round? I described it to someone here (with pics): http://forum.landrovernet.com/showthread.php/179634-brake-adjustment-cam-not-touching-shoes Other than that, sdjusting them (as you say you have) and bleeding them is the main thing i can think of. Have you tried a pressure bleeder on the system - i find these more effective (and easier than other methods)? Start bleeding with the rear wheel on the passenger side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 I have done it like this With the short bit of the friction material making up the rear shoe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 I would like to comment on the adjusting of the shoes If i turn front shoe adjuster clockwise until it binds and then slacken off as needed all seems fine But if I push the brake pedal I can then re adjust them some more And then if I press the pedal again I can adjust even more. Am I wrong to press the pedal mid adjusting between front and rear shoes I thought pressing the pedal after each adjust would reseat the shoes nicely But this way it always gives me more adjusting By the time I go to the second adjuster there is no adjusting needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 when adjusting mine I wind the 4 adjusters in so it's tight then back off 2 notches then see the pedal feels, been OK so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 The pic looks the right way round - The distance from the adjuster peg to the shoe should be greatest on the front (forward facing) shoe. I can only suggest adjusting (as Ralph describes) and bleeding again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 shoes look in the right orientation to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted October 30, 2011 Author Share Posted October 30, 2011 I now have a superbly firm brake pedal with no travel at all! Thanks for all the guidance and help Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 glad it all worked out & you've got good brakes again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 I now have a superbly firm brake pedal with no travel at all!Thanks for all the guidance and help Ed Jolly good. What solved it in the end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Turns out that I was backing off the adjusters so there was no shoe rub at all which was too much backing off. Did as Ralph said and did them up tight and backed off 1 or 2 clicks. That way took all the travel out of the pedal. Amazing difference.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 I always think its funny how those little snail cams can make so much difference! I should get in the habit of checking mine more often perhaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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