Re: [ST] Mushy Brakes

[Michael Young <myoung@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi, Rich. Did you make both adjustments -- new fluid, and caliper squeeze --
at the same time? I'm wondering if it would be worth my while to just play
with the calipers as you did, without changing the fluid. It seems
reasonable that flushing the fluid would get rid of bubbles or burnt stuff
in the system. I can't think of any reason that extending and retracting the
calipers would have such a marked effect.


- ----- Original Message -----
From: "rmasiak" <rmasiak@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2002 5:41 PM
Subject: [ST] Mushy Brakes


> Fairly recently the threads talking about mushy brakes were interesting.
I
> ignorantly wondered what they meant.  Well this weekend I decided to try
the
> fix someone posted by taking off my caliphers and gently squeeze the brake
> until the pads touch each other.  Then I compressed the pistons back so
they
> fit back over the disk.  WOW! what a difference.  Now I barely squeeze the
> handle and wham I've got brakes.  Took some getting used to.
>
> So now I understand what mushy brakes means - Based on the experience I
> think it means more brake lever travel before they seriously grab.  Right?
>
> After I did the fix, there's much less lever travel before the brakes
grab.
> I never really realized it, I guess because it gradually happened and I
> accepted it that's the way it was as the pads wore.  Now I know better.
> THANKS! for the good info.
>
> BTW:  I also cleansed my brake system of the stock brake fluid and now I'm
> running Castrol GT LMA Brake Fluid.  Since no body responded to my
question
> months ago I figured I'll be the guinea pig and try it anyway.  So far
> nothings melted or leaked and brakes have been working fine.  If this
stuff
> turns out to be ok then this is a good thing because it exceeds DOT 4
specs
> for vapor point and moisture absorbtion.  I'll let everyone know how the
> test goes after my 12,000 mi service which is only 4200 mi away (maybe 6
> mos).
>
> -Rich
> '00 RS (Lucifer Orange)
>
>
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