Mechanics: Help! Brakes question...?

  • Thread starter Thread starter hotpinkKITTY
  • Start date Start date
H

hotpinkKITTY

Guest
This is the second time in six months that I've had to replace my brakes, this time they were metal on metal, I just replaced them at the end of August. The hubcaps are really dirty, could it be the brake line? Also, my mechanic thinks that it could be because I live on top of a mountain...I don't know, I've been living here for three years and this hasn't happened before, shouldn't brakes last longer than 7000 miles?

Comments about women drivers will be ignored : ) Thanks!
 
Caliper pistons or guides (floating type) will create the same problem not releasing pressure properly. A rubber hose to caliper can collapse internally and cause excessive pressure as well, although not as common, I've seen this a few times.

Also, Bad master cylinder or M/C to brake pedal plunger rod
out of adjustment could cause this as well, or antilock brake component or
Proportioning valve.

Here is the simple test.
Jack the wheels off the ground and pump up the brakes by repeatedly applying the brake pedal.

Now spin the wheels. if they stick, pump up the brake pressure again and crack the bleeder valve loose on the caliper. If the pressure releases immediately, the problem is not the caliper. It is the rubber hose or other above mentioned component. If it stays tight and doesn't spin freely, it is definitely the caliper.

On antilock systems, if you collapse the caliper pistons and allow the fluid to backflush into the system, it could plug screens filtering dirt in antilock system.
You should always clamp the hose (most models) and expell the fluid out the bleeder valve when compressing the piston(s), rather than backflushing. Then, add fluid at reservoir and bleed the system at caliper/cylinder bleeder valve(s).
 
brakes should last longer than this ! unless the pads are faulty or damaged or fitted incorrectly ? it also depends whether they are disc or drum brake pads ? if they are disc brake pads you could need to replace the disc's as they may have been pitted or scratched but they probably will be now as you said the pads had worn away to bear metal, this could also be true for drum !,it could be the calliper pistons if on front? damaged, or sticking on as with any mechanic it is a process of elimination and without looking at it myself it is very difficult diagnose the exact problem what make & Model of car is it ?
 
Back
Top