Hi Guys,

Some expert knowledge needed pls...

Brakes on my 330ci have gone wrong.

driving along the motorway and press the brakes, they dont feel soft, more like wood! very little if anything happens for a second or so and then they kick in but still feel a bit rubbish.

once they are warmed up (few pumps they improve but not as good as they used to be)

driving around town. soft predal but they do bite but its not very strong.

kick the brake pedal, the pedal drops quickly and the ABS goes mad but the car barely slows.

changed the brake fluid, no change.

ideas????

Thanks

[Edited on 24/1/10 by locostbuyer83]

Switch the engine off and pump the brake pedal until hard. Start the engine with your foot on the brake and you should feel the pedal sink. If not check the servo/vacuum hose , problem sounds like the servo isn't working.More than likely a split hose.

quote:

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Originally posted by rusty nuts
Switch the engine off and pump the brake pedal until hard. Start the engine with your foot on the brake and you should feel the pedal sink. If not check the servo/vacuum hose , problem sounds like the servo isn't working.More than likely a split hose.

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In that case remove the brake pads, clean and lubricate the edges and backs of the pads with copper grease . Make sure each piston returns freely and any sliding mechanism is free and lubricated. It could be your problem is the pads siezed in the calipers

quote:

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Originally posted by rusty nuts
In that case remove the brake pads, clean and lubricate the edges and backs of the pads with copper grease . Make sure each piston returns freely and any sliding mechanism is free and lubricated. It could be your problem is the pads siezed in the calipers

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sounds like a contact problem with pads to disc. as suggested by rusty nuts. strip, grease and rebuild calipers. making sure all the pistons move with a bit of a squeeze. also check rears for same problem.

[Edited on 24/1/10 by skinned knuckles]

Was it raining when you felt this? or wet on the ground?

the only reason i ask this is because i took a 54 plate 330 turbo d auto down through france and when i was going down the motorway and it was raining you would go for the brake and it would feel like they were not working at all for a couple of seconds, was fecking scary doing well over a ton and some fecker pulls out in front of you.

If you get the same feeling then its just water on the discs and it burning off before they start to work.

Ive never felt it in any other car but in the dry they felt normal.

[Edited on 24/1/10 by tomgregory2000]

quote:

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Originally posted by tomgregory2000
Was it raining when you felt this? or wet on the ground?

the only reason i ask this is because i took a 54 plate 330 turbo d auto down through france and when i was going down the motorway and it was raining you would go for the brake and it would feel like they were not working at all for a couple of seconds, was fecking scary doing well over a ton and some fecker pulls out in front of you.

If you get the same feeling then its just water on the discs and it burning off before they start to work.

Ive never felt it in any other car but in the dry they felt normal.

[Edited on 24/1/10 by tomgregory2000]

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Get them checked on an mot stations brake rollers. Last time I had that problem it was a sticking calliper.

Mark
(BMW tech)

--- UPDATE ---

just to update this thread, i took all the brakes apart and greased and its fine now.

Think lack of use and winter weather caused it.

Thanks everyone for advise.