QuestionQUESTION: My daughter drives a 1990 Volvo 240. A couple of weeks ago her brakes suddenly went very soft. She was able to drive home but had to brake to the floor to get the car to stop. Since then my husband has replaced the master cylinder and brake pads. He bled the master cylinder (a rebuilt one) according to included instructions and bled the brakes according to the instructions I read on this site at: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Classic-Antique-Car-2542/2008/3/volvo-240-dl-brake.ht. The brake pedal went to the floor every time we bled the first wheel (the one furthest from the master cylinder). We bled it many times, checking the brake fluid level every third try. Eventually my husband bled the other wheels, all of which seemed okay, but the most we could get was a very soft brake after bleeding all four. After that he bought a power bleeder and today used that to bleed the brakes. We still are getting very soft brakes (I don't know the correct terminology, but we have some braking action, we just have to brake pretty hard to get the car to stop). My daughter tried the car and says it's a little better than the day she had them fail on her but nowhere near as good as they used to be. What should we do next? Thank you very much.
Priscilla
ANSWER: Sounds like on first glance, that your brakes are severally out of adjustment. They are so far that none of the wheels are getting full extention.
Adjust your rear brakes until they drag well. Then see if your pedal isn't better.
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QUESTION: Can you point me at directions on how to adjust the brakes? These are disc brakes and we're not sure exactly what you mean. Thanks for your fast response to my question, by the way!
Priscilla
AnswerSorry, was not aware it was 4 wheel disc. Worked on a late 80's that had rear shoes.
When you bleed the brakes, does the fluid come out clean and clear or foamy with air bubbles on all wheels?
Also, do all of your pistons retract evenly when you pry
Them into the caliper?
