STOPTECHS ON! Bleeding Help Wanted?

[kaiv]

I don't want to be rude - I know it's fun to work on your own car - but when we're talking about critical safety stuff like brakes maybe it's best to let pros take care of it; especially if you have no idea what you're doing

Going furthest to closest to the master cylinder when bleeding (or having the bleed nipples pointing up...) are like brake 101 universal concepts

[ajvee]

Guys,

So we followed the prescribed order for bleeding and both inner and outside bleeders on all corners were free of air. Pedal felt nice and hard.

However, the pedal does not feel quite right while driving. The initial feel is soft and there is no bite and the rebound is slow. Much better than before but nowhere close to stock feeling. I also followed the bed in procedure through 2 cycles with little improvement.

Since it became late, we didn't have time for another bleed. I would appreciate any other suggestions that you might have to improve pedal feel. I would also love inputs on what to expect in terms of pedal feel compared to stock.

I appreciate your patience with my questions as this is the first time that I've done a brake swap and bed in.

Thank you.

[ajvee]

Originally Posted by kaiv

I don't want to be rude - I know it's fun to work on your own car - but when we're talking about critical safety stuff like brakes maybe it's best to let pros take care of it; especially if you have no idea what you're doing

Going furthest to closest to the master cylinder when bleeding (or having the bleed nipples pointing up...) are like brake 101 universal concepts

I appreciate the input but I do have a certified tech who did most of the work. I was just his helper. I guess we just made a mistake first time around, but no real harm done as the car wasn't driven until the second full bleed in the right order.

[spdy330]

+1

Originally Posted by atruelunatic

Try rear right, rear left, front right, front left.

[atruelunatic]

Sort of off topic...

I bought stoptech SS brake lines and it comes with 6 lines. 4 for rear, 2 for front. I'm still using OEM calipers, is there only 2 in the rear and 2 in the front?

[ajvee]

Originally Posted by atruelunatic

Sort of off topic...

I bought stoptech SS brake lines and it comes with 6 lines. 4 for rear, 2 for front. I'm still using OEM calipers, is there only 2 in the rear and 2 in the front?

Yes this is right. They do provide some extension lines for the rear but they aren't required.

[ajvee]

Any inputs on pedal feel guys?

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by ajvee

I appreciate the input but I do have a certified tech who did most of the work. I was just his helper.

If you had a "certified" tech doing the work, why all the issues?

[ajvee]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

If you had a "certified" tech doing the work, why all the issues?

While the tech is ASE certified he is less familiar with newer BMWs. Though one might argue that brakes are simple enough to be universal. To be fair, apart from getting the bleed order wrong, we haven't had any major problems. We completed the subsequent bleeds as recommended and the pedal felt great and all the air was out of the lines.

The car stops well but just doesn't have the initial bit and hard feel of the stock brakes.

I do appreciate your patience with my questions. Problems aside, I am thankful for this experience as I've become more comfortable working on my car.

[RickyBobby]

Originally Posted by ajvee

Any inputs on pedal feel guys?

Pedal feel on my stoptechs is drastically different. The minute I backed it out of my garage after I installed them, I noticed a more sensitive pedal with less travel before initial bite. I actually think the pedal is too sensitive.
I achieved this on my initial install without any subsequent bleeds, so if your pedal isn't significantly firmer than stock, you've still got air in your system. Take it to a shop!

[ajvee]

Originally Posted by RickyBobby

Pedal feel on my stoptechs is drastically different. The minute I backed it out of my garage after I installed them, I noticed a more sensitive pedal with less travel before initial bite. I actually think the pedal is too sensitive.
I achieved this on my initial install without any subsequent bleeds, so if your pedal isn't significantly firmer than stock, you've still got air in your system. Take it to a shop!

Great advice! I will get the system bled again. I shall update with results.

[j2m]

Originally Posted by atruelunatic

Sort of off topic...

I bought stoptech SS brake lines and it comes with 6 lines. 4 for rear, 2 for front. I'm still using OEM calipers, is there only 2 in the rear and 2 in the front?

Originally Posted by ajvee

Yes this is right. They do provide some extension lines for the rear but they aren't required.

Originally Posted by ajvee

Any inputs on pedal feel guys?

Guys, the extra 2 lines are for the Drivers Side rear, they are tucked way the hell up in there and kind of hard to get to. See "Bubbles" post here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...stoptech+lines

OP:
The 2 additional brake lines are not extensions. If you didn't replace the 2 lines it could be the reason why your pedal doesn't feel stiff. I didn't replace those lines until yesterday, because they are a bitch to get to and you need a very short 11MM wrench to get to it. After I replaced those lines and re-bled my entire system and flushed with Castrol SRF my brakes feel much better

[ajvee]

Crap! Thanks for the information. I will get them put in.

[M3PO]

This may seem obvious but the bleeders are facing up correct? People on here have had this problem before so I have to ask...

[Elementary]

Originally Posted by M3PO

This may seem obvious but the bleeders are facing up correct? People on here have had this problem before so I have to ask...

^^ What he said.

Make sure you didn't install the brakes upside down, we've seen that done before by "professional shops".

[ajvee]

Originally Posted by Elementary

^^ What he said.

Make sure you didn't install the brakes upside down, we've seen that done before by "professional shops".

LOL! Nope the bleeders are facing up. At least did one thing right!

[Elementary]

Are you running the standard street pad? Fresh street pads are fairly thick and what you might be feeling is the actual pad compressing, that's why race pads come with less material. Similar concept to shaving tires, but with brake pads. Bed them in, make sure you have a nice transfer layer then report back.

[ajvee]

Originally Posted by Elementary

Are you running the standard street pad? Fresh street pads are fairly thick and what you might be feeling is the actual pad compressing, that's why race pads come with less material. Similar concept to shaving tires, but with brake pads. Bed them in, make sure you have a nice transfer layer then report back.

Yes sir I am running the standard pads. I've gone through 2 rounds of bedding in and plan to do more.

I don't get bite until about 1 inch in and then it is progressive. The pedal rebound is also slightly sluggish.

[Justin(OKC)]

I've bled mine 3 times with a motive bleeder and my pedal doesn't seem right just yet. I'm going to bed the brakes in a bit more, order some more SRF, and bleed more. When they bite, they bite but about the first inch of pedal travel is a little sluggish.

[ajvee]

Originally Posted by Justin(OKC)

I've bled mine 3 times with a motive bleeder and my pedal doesn't seem right just yet. I'm going to bed the brakes in a bit more, order some more SRF, and bleed more. When they bite, they bite but about the first inch of pedal travel is a little sluggish.

I feel this exact sensation minus the bite after the first inch. How does the pedal return feel? Does it come right back up?

[Justin(OKC)]

Originally Posted by ajvee

I feel this exact sensation minus the bite after the first inch. How does the pedal return feel? Does it come right back up?

It comes back up fine. When I step on them a second time, it feels more firm. The thing stops awesome though and it really isn't bad to drive. The ST pads are making some noise though on the street.

[ole85]

make sure the calliper is the right way up i saw the same problem with a brembo brake system when it came to my shop