Brake pedal travel QPV

[Kincath]

Hi All,

Im about to start investigating my really bad brake pedal travel. The discs look to be half decent and the car is fitted with new pads. I’m going to try the obvious one first and change the brake fluid. Just wondering if there is any special process to change the fluid or is it the big standard way start rear left wheel and so forth?

Also is there a common culprit that causes this issue?

The fluid was changed before I got the car at the main dealer in Scotland but I don’t trust them to do anything to be honest.

Thanks

 

[Gazcw]

From memory it is rear right, rear left, front right, front left. Inner bleed nipple then outer on each.

Well that's what I did and it stopped.

 

[Kincath]

From memory it is rear right, rear left, front right, front left. Inner bleed nipple then outer on each.

Well that's what I did and it stopped.

Thanks Gaz I’ll give that a bash first.

 

[conaero]

It’s inner nipple first then outer in this order

NSR
OSR
NSF
OSF

Use a pressure bleeder at about 15psi on the reservoir then a pipe on the nipples into a container.

the first is furthest away so will need more bleeding

If the fluid does not come out get a few spare nipples as I expect at least one will be blocked and make sure you wash any brake fluid away with lots of water or it will bubble the calliper paint

Final job, dip the nipples with tissue to make sure there is no overspill.

 

[Gazcw]

It’s inner nipple first then outer in this order

NSR
OSR
NSF
OSF

Use a pressure bleeder at about 15psi on the reservoir then a pipe on the nipples into a container.

the first is furthest away so will need more bleeding

If the fluid does not come out get a few spare nipples as I expect at least one will be blocked and make sure you wash any brake fluid away with lots of water or it will bubble the calliper paint

Final job, dip the nipples with tissue to make sure there is no overspill.

Well I was almost right. I must have followed a 4200 guide or something.

 

[Kincath]

It’s inner nipple first then outer in this order

NSR
OSR
NSF
OSF

Use a pressure bleeder at about 15psi on the reservoir then a pipe on the nipples into a container.

the first is furthest away so will need more bleeding

If the fluid does not come out get a few spare nipples as I expect at least one will be blocked and make sure you wash any brake fluid away with lots of water or it will bubble the calliper paint

Final job, dip the nipples with tissue to make sure there is no overspill.

Good man thanks

 

[Sam McGoo]

Hi All,

Im about to start investigating my really bad brake pedal travel. The discs look to be half decent and the car is fitted with new pads. I’m going to try the obvious one first and change the brake fluid. Just wondering if there is any special process to change the fluid or is it the big standard way start rear left wheel and so forth?

Also is there a common culprit that causes this issue?

The fluid was changed before I got the car at the main dealer in Scotland but I don’t trust them to do anything to be honest.

Thanks

If the QP brakes are similar to the GT, the brake pedal is quite long compared to most other modern cars, or has yours got longer since you've owned it?

I do prefer a slightly long progressive pedal as a posed to the instant German feel with little feedback, but somewhere inbetween would be nice.
Unfortunately, without changing sizes of cylinders/pistons, I think very little can be done.

The best you can do really is ensure decent fluid is in there and fit braided lines.

 

[TimR]

If its anything like my 4200, hit the pedal twice ! It feels a lot more convincing the second time of asking..>!>!>
( recond calipers, braided lines and new hardlines throughout, new discs&pads. Fresh fluid incl clutch bled)

In the words of the great Jackie Stewart, " you only need to brush the brakes" unless you drive a Maserati -
(Ok, I made last that bit up...'cos it's true ! )

 

[MarkMas]

It’s inner nipple first then outer in this order

NSR
OSR
NSF
OSF

 

[Tallman]

Seeing as this is a brake thread…So today I spiritedly drove about 25km, no problems. Later in the afternoon I wanted to pop out and on my fairly steep driveway I noticed that I had pressed the brake pedal nearly to the bottom and braking power was not great. If I pump the pedal I hear a mush/slosh type sound (ok that description is not great…). So I changed to another car as I didn’t want to risk it. Any ideas here? I believe the front pads/disks were done about 14 months / 6k km ago but I also presume a (rear) pad/disk problem won’t present itself so suddenly. I’ll check the fluid in the morning (didn’t see evidence of a leak on the garage floor though) but any advice will be gratefully accepted. The car has only done about 30k km.

 

[Zep]

Master cylinders have been known to be a bit iffy on the QP / GT, if the pedal is long and fluid is fresh it could be that.

 

[Oneball]

If you can hear slosh inside the car I’d suggest your master cylinder has leaked fluid into the servo (do you call them boosters in SA?)

If that’s the case your level will have gone down but you won’t see a leak on the drive.

 

[Hurricane52]

If you can hear slosh inside the car I’d suggest your master cylinder has leaked fluid into the servo (do you call them boosters in SA?)

If that’s the case your level will have gone down but you won’t see a leak on the drive.

I had that exact problem with my Ghibli. One fluid pot full, one emptied itself. No fluid visible under car. Changed both servos and all happy again now.

Only thing is, I think it’s catching, as my Flaminia seems to be exhibiting the same symptoms - but at least there’s only one to change on the Lancia.

 

[philw696]

On the QP and GT the master cylinder and servo are sold as a complete unit and not a five minute job to do either.

 

[Tallman]

The brake fluid level was slightly under max so I topped it up with DOT 4. Looking into the opening it seemed a bit brownish, so that is a worry. I’ll take it for a cautious spin in the neighbourhood tomorrow to see how it feels. If still bad I think I’ll just book it in and get some other work done as well, it’s a year since the last service (with the previous owner). They can look at stability at high speed issue and replace fluids/filters. The dealer is 50km away over motorway so I need to be confident it brakes well enough to do the trip.

 

[Tallman]

So I took her out for a ride this afternoon and all was back to normal, no mushy pedal travelling too far. I’ll keep an eye on it anyway and get the dealer to look at it at the next scheduled service. One of those things I guess, although still slightly worrying.