thought I'd ask here as there's lots of mechanical knowledge.....

took my tin top (escort) for mot today and it failed because the brake efficiency was 49% and "RBT Front Brake Imbalance: 29%".

So, knowing it tended to pull slightly to the left on braking I thought it would just be an old sleepy caliper - but replaced the caliper and while maybe not as bad, its still pulling to the left.

One thing I did notice when I opened the bleed nipple and pumped the fluid was only dripping out the caliper, so its got me thinking - could this be down to a blockage in the brake line? And if so, whats the best way to cure it? I looked at the flexible hose and it doesn't seem twisted/nipped - so do the rigid lines tend to rust or similar?

flexi pipes can colapse internally cause that fault

bleed nipple may be clogged

could be a flexi which has swelled. happens very often.

Rob

caliper is brand new, so can't be bleed nipple - will try replace the flexi pipe next and fingers crossed

which side caliper did you replace ?

as above. +
you could try switching the pads from N/S to O/S.

woolly

It could be the flexy pipe,i've had to change a few recently for the opposite reason as they have been sticking on. Did you change the caliper on the side it was pulling to? Only asking because if its pulling to the left its probably the right caliper thats not working correctly. Btw if you are changing the flexy its advisable to change both as the are both the same age.
Cheers
Ronnie

was pulling left, so changed right caliper...

may try new discs/pads also as they are relatively cheap and easy to do - just didn't think they would have that big an impact..

What car is it, is the slider sticking on the left calliper ? I've never had a flexy break down internally in 40 years of repairing cars but had plenty of pistons and sliders stick.

ive even had a brake flexi fail near the crimping just moveing it out of the garage but then it was a renault alpine a110 nice and old

[Edited on 2/17/2010 by DRC INDY 7]

woohoo!

passed today - had replaced calipers, pads and discs on both sides. Would still say there's something not quite right on the offside as while bleeding it drips, while the nearside is a stream of fluid - but seems to brake straight and much to kiwk-fit's disappointment at me saving £200 on the work, my mrs can continue to terrorise other road users for another year!