braking problem

[jaguar]

hey all,

I wanted to change my rear brake-shoes today, and as I did, I noticed something was off... I could reset the pump with my 2 fingers this is, I believe, caused by a failure somewhere along that brake line... but, ive checked my reservoir and it seems leveled ...

the reason I wanted to change my brake-shoes is because my car squeeks like hell when I stop.
unfortunatly this squeeking wasn't caused by the drums... but I think it is my front left brake pads that are off... (and I have changed them not too long ago :s )

I suspect that the faulty part, causing uneven usage of pads (crossed over the wheels, front left/rear right), is the head brake cilinder...

does that make any sense at all ?

[kenratboy]

Get towed to a shop?

I wouldn't want to screw with brake falure issues unless I knew the system and had the experience to work on it.

[foompla]

not at all -

by pump, do you mean wheel cylinder? those are very easy to push in.

if your getting uneven wear diagonally, it may be due to a sticking caliper. check the sliders, get a caliper rebuild kit if you up to it. get some crocus paper (NOT SAND OR EMERY PAPER) and hone the caliper bore and you should be set (if that was your problem)

if its a stuck caliper, they brakes might be dragging- are the rotors/drums discolored?

[jaguar]

foompla, yes, i meant the wheel cylinder

I'll be checking the front discs tomorrow... and god i hope the discs are still ok, (changed them not even 10K kms ago)

My first thought was the master cylinder, but it might, ofcourse, just be something else...

kenratboy, towed ? you must be kidding nah, don't worry, I wouldn't drive my car if i didn't think it would be safe.

[foompla]

well, i just had a similiar problem on my car with a frozen slider. I had to bang out the old bolt, and replace (and regrease) the new sliders, and I was good to go. ive become very good at takign the caliper off

but i wouldnt reccomend that you bang out the old bolt - when I did it, the threads on the bolt got twisted from being stuck in the slider. It was a special order item, and luckily enough I had someone who was able to repair the threads for me. replace if its damaged! (id go to toyota for that item. - autozone fucked me over)