Problem with brakes after caliper change.

[m3mtl]

My 2004 mz3 gs 115 000 km has been running smoothly. I bring it to the dealer for the 120 000km maintenance.

I replaced:

spark plugs and headlight.

Two front struts in the front. I knew the right one was leaking...Left one just started to leak. Replaced the rear bushings both sides on the swing bar and `somewhere else I forget the name. The pins that hold the caliper in place got stuck inside. I was told because of that I had to replace the two rear calipers. Alrighty...the bill came to 1850$ The worst part was after they were done the brake pedal feels mushy and goes further down. They bled the brakes 3 times (at least thats what they claim) yet the brake pedal feel soft. They are getting a master tech to see it tommorrow. Has anyone here experienced problems with their brakes when maintenence was done on them????? What could be causing the break pedal to be soft even after they bled the brakes? ?? They told me they were going to use a special machine tommorrow to suck the air out or something. Any thoughts?????

My mazda 3 is like a hot girlfriend; love the way she makes me feel, but can be quite expensive at times.

[kckev99]

My 2004 mz3 gs 115 000 km has been running smoothly. I bring it to the dealer for the 120 000km maintenance.

I replaced:

spark plugs and headlight.

Two front struts in the front. I knew the right one was leaking...Left one just started to leak. Replaced the rear bushings both sides on the swing bar and `somewhere else I forget the name. The pins that hold the caliper in place got stuck inside. I was told because of that I had to replace the two rear calipers. Alrighty...the bill came to 1850$ The worst part was after they were done the brake pedal feels mushy and goes further down. They bled the brakes 3 times (at least thats what they claim) yet the brake pedal feel soft. They are getting a master tech to see it tommorrow. Has anyone here experienced problems with their brakes when maintenence was done on them????? What could be causing the break pedal to be soft even after they bled the brakes? ?? They told me they were going to use a special machine tommorrow to suck the air out or something. Any thoughts?????

My mazda 3 is like a hot girlfriend; love the way she makes me feel, but can be quite expensive at times.


My guess there is still air in the system. For some cars there is a proper bleeding technique. I'm not sure if that applies for the M3.

For my Honda you are suppose to bleed in this order:
1. Driver Front
2. Passenger Rear
3. Passenger Front
4. Driver Rear
http://www.hondaprelude.to/articles/maintenance/brake_fluid.html

It has worked for me every time. I have bleed my own brakes at least half dozen times after replacing brake lines on all four corners and track days.

[sol_searchin]

The symptom's you described are related to air in the system. Get them to re-bleed it and you'll be good to go!

[Nick]

the correct method is start bleeding from the farthest caliper from the master cylinder and work your way to the closest. make sure the reservoir is always topped up. this is if you want to do it yourself. anytime you work with your brakes you will always have to pump the brake pedal several times immediately after the job. some people don't do this and panic when their peddle goes straight to the floor.