Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: polilara on 27 December 2009, 12:27:13

Title: Bad brakes
Post by: polilara on 27 December 2009, 12:27:13
Hello

I drive 2001 sedan with Y26SE. Brakes are really bad. All pads are new and all pistons and other moving parts move well. I once read in this forum that Omeaga brakes should work so that when you "Jump on Pedal the whole world stops". Mine does not work like that. In normal driving/braking all is OK but when brakes are really needed they are uneffective. To be honest have to admit that I never changed the brake fluid but I do not believe that it is the reason - the pedal "touch" is good - I mean it is not soft. Does anyone of you have same kind of problems ?
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: tunnie on 27 December 2009, 12:30:12
Quote
Hello

I drive 2001 sedan with Y26SE. Brakes are really bad. All pads are new and all pistons and other moving parts move well. I once read in this forum that Omeaga brakes should work so that when you "Jump on Pedal the whole world stops". Mine does not work like that. In normal driving/braking all is OK but when brakes are really needed they are uneffective. To be honest have to admit that I never changed the brake fluid but I do not believe that it is the reason - the pedal "touch" is good - I mean it is not soft. Does anyone of you have same kind of problems ?

Brake Fluid lasts 2 years, once its been used in anger it can boil, and then its had it really....

I flushed my brake fluid 2 years ago, past few weeks i have really noticed a drop off in performance.

I'll be changing it shortly, also do a propper flush and not just top up the tank. If its old i also pinch the last stuff out of the caliper as thats what causes the problems. Put some mole grips on the feed pipe, then push the caliper in, and that should really squeeze the last of the bad fluid out.

Make sure you close the bleed nipple in time, to stop it sucking in air
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: polilara on 27 December 2009, 12:54:00
Hello tunnie

Thanks for comments. I'll change the fluid tomorrow and try to flush also the calipers as you advised. Come back then with news.
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: tunnie on 27 December 2009, 12:55:52
Handy guide here:

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1156881883

Only attempt it if your confident with car DIY  :y
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: Markjay on 27 December 2009, 13:14:29
Brake fluid, as tunnie says... Omega brakes are generally very good.
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: TheBoy on 27 December 2009, 14:01:25
I never managed to get good 'bite' from pattern parts, so went back to genuine pads and discs
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: JasonH on 27 December 2009, 16:17:31
I've always found the Omega brakes adequate (that's with genuine pads and disks and fresh fluid). They stop a fully loaded Omega estate and caravan just fine. Having said that other make cars (Honda, BMW) I have driven had had "sharper" brakes with more assistance.
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: sexydaz on 27 December 2009, 17:04:46
Quote
I've always found the Omega brakes adequate (that's with genuine pads and disks and fresh fluid). They stop a fully loaded Omega estate and caravan just fine. Having said that other make cars (Honda, BMW) I have driven had had "sharper" brakes with more assistance.
ive always found if the brakes on yer van are set and working correctly you stop better,ive had cars that felt better while towing
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: Tony H on 27 December 2009, 19:42:55

Obviously the fluid could do with a change. If the brake pedal feels springy this will probably down to the new pads you have fitted have not bedded in yet, this will also have a negative effect on braking performance
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 27 December 2009, 20:49:42
Check the brake servo pipe for damage and air leaks
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: polilara on 28 December 2009, 09:36:55
Thanks for all comments.

I changed the pads last spring - manufactured by Jurid. Have to buy next time genuine ones. The reason for change was uneffective brakes. At the same time I checked that all moving parts are really moving well. Nothing changed in brake efficiency and now after 5000 km drive I believe that pads found their place - pedal is really not springy. Servo pipe is checked. Vacuum remains and servo works. I once checked by switching off the engine. After a couple of brakings the brakes became really bad.

I repeat that someone in this forum once said that "when you jump on pedal the whole world stops". I supposed that there is some kind of "brain" in braking control system which recognize the panic braking and increase the assistance. Is there that kind of control unit ? If there is that could be broken. As said I'll change the fluid today and come back.
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: davethediver on 28 December 2009, 12:40:43
Quote
Thanks for all comments.

I changed the pads last spring - manufactured by Jurid. Have to buy next time genuine ones. The reason for change was uneffective brakes. At the same time I checked that all moving parts are really moving well. Nothing changed in brake efficiency and now after 5000 km drive I believe that pads found their place - pedal is really not springy. Servo pipe is checked. Vacuum remains and servo works. I once checked by switching off the engine. After a couple of brakings the brakes became really bad.

I repeat that someone in this forum once said that "when you jump on pedal the whole world stops". I supposed that there is some kind of "brain" in braking control system which recognize the panic braking and increase the assistance. Is there that kind of control unit ? If there is that could be broken. As said I'll change the fluid today and come back.

Jurid pads are what the omega left the factory with IIRC :y
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: Andy B on 28 December 2009, 12:53:44
Quote
.......
I supposed that there is some kind of "brain" in braking control system which recognize the panic braking and increase the assistance. Is there that kind of control unit ? If there is that could be broken. .....

No variation of Emergency Brake Asssit on an Omega.  ;)
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: polilara on 29 December 2009, 20:09:50
Finally got the fluid changed, also calipers flushed. That match snow in Finland that even my brakes activated the ABS. Can test them better later. However, I believe that nothing really changed.

What I realized is that when the car was parked and I was pressing the pedal strongly (engine running) the pedal was slowly going to the floor. So I suppose I have a problem in my main cylinder or main caliper - I do not know the English word. That could explain that when I really jump on pedal I never get good 'bite'. As I never loosed brake fluid during last years I think that I need a repair kit for the main brake cylinder.

Is that available ?

Another question: Can anyone of you block your brakes or activate your ABS when driving in summer in dry asphalt road ? I never succeeded even though when using two feet. Perhaps I am too weak ??
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: Tony H on 29 December 2009, 22:08:38
Quote
Finally got the fluid changed, also calipers flushed. That match snow in Finland that even my brakes activated the ABS. Can test them better later. However, I believe that nothing really changed.

What I realized is that when the car was parked and I was pressing the pedal strongly (engine running) the pedal was slowly going to the floor. So I suppose I have a problem in my main cylinder or main caliper - I do not know the English word. That could explain that when I really jump on pedal I never get good 'bite'. As I never loosed brake fluid during last years I think that I need a repair kit for the main brake cylinder.

Is that available ?

Another question: Can anyone of you block your brakes or activate your ABS when driving in summer in dry asphalt road ? I never succeeded even though when using two feet. Perhaps I am too weak ??
I take it you mean lock the brakes? you should be able to if you are travelling fast enough, but take care.
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: Andy B on 29 December 2009, 23:05:53
Quote
......
So I suppose I have a problem in my main cylinder or main caliper - I do not know the English word.  ....
 .....

Master cylinder, and the cylinders in a drum brake are refered to as slave cylinders.  :y

A quick look on eBay shows various kits, don't know if they're any good or not though. They say it's easy to turn seals back to front in a master cylinder by forcing the fluid back too quickly when pushing pads back in their calipers. MarksDTM suggests ...... getting an assistant to press hard on the brake pedal and as they quickly release the peadl, you hit the mastercylinder hard with a soft faced mallet (hammer). This can revert the seals again ........  :-/
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: Andy B on 29 December 2009, 23:08:11
Quote
.......
Another question: Can anyone of you block your brakes or activate your ABS when driving in summer in dry asphalt road ? I never succeeded even though when using two feet. Perhaps I am too weak ??

If your tyres are any good it should be very difficult to lock your wheels/activate the ABS at urban speeds.  :y
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: polilara on 30 December 2009, 07:34:27
OK, thanks for comments - I learn English at the same time. Actually I believe ABS is Anti-Block Brake System, of cource I meant "lock the brakes".

I quess it is best to open the master cylinder and check its condition. I bought this car in 2003 and as told never changed the fluid. Perhaps the master cylinder is corroded and requires some honing.
Title: Re: Bad brakes
Post by: Kevin Wood on 30 December 2009, 11:25:01
Quote
OK, thanks for comments - I learn English at the same time. Actually I believe ABS is Anti-Block Brake System, of cource I meant "lock the brakes".

I quess it is best to open the master cylinder and check its condition. I bought this car in 2003 and as told never changed the fluid. Perhaps the master cylinder is corroded and requires some honing.

Pedal creeping to the floor is probably a leak past the seals in either the master or one of the slave cylinders. If a slave, it will be obvious as the fluid can only leak into the outside world. Take a peek under the dust cover on each caliper piston and see if there is evidence of leakage.

If no leaks evident, suspect the master cylinder, as a faulty seal here won't result in a leak.

Kevin