I had my front brake pads and disks replaced by a well known chain in the last month. I have since noticed a light 'clunk' from the front when I even lightly touched my brake pedal and mentioned it to them when I had the back brakes done last week. The manager pointed out worn front bushes (which had passed an MOT the day before!) and we left it at that.
Today I noticed a brake fluid leak at my front tyre. I intend going back to ask them to have a look - but I want to know first what would have been causing the clunk. Basically I need to know if it's likely that the pads haven't been fitted correctly, or if it could be a worn cylinder or something! I'd like to be prepared.
I felt conned into having both rear cylinders replaced last week when they looked perfectly OK to me and weren't leaking! The chap prised the end rubbers off and showed me that there was a bit of dirty water in there - it had been raining! Surely that's normal? It certainly wasn't brake fluid.
Basically, I don't trust them - but I don't want to pay another garage to have to replace pads when they've possibly not done their job correctly.
Any advice or links to good websites greatly received - been googling with no luck.
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Sorry - should have mentioned - Diesel Ford Fiesta - 1750cc, x-reg.
{Partial details added to subject header - DD}
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The fluid mark is probably from when they did the work,ask them to double check and show you the worn bushes ,if they are worn then it shows how good your MOT testing station is.
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if I read this correctly.
You had rear brakes replaced and the clunk is from the front? Doesn't sound connected problem to me but difficult without proper look.
Suggest re visit mot station and tell him the story and see what he makes of it?
Why use the fast fit station for brake work and not local garage/mot station?
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But just rea read it too.
If you have a brake fluid leak, please get attention to brakes urgently; certainly before any high speed or long trips etc.
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To reinforce what others say above...
Clonk could be wrong pads, slightly undersize pads (poor quality) or incorrect assembly of retaining parts after job. Needs checking with wheels off... not dismissing. However some MOT testers will let bushes go that are safe but may clonk... usually they are pretty bad to clonk just by touching the brake pedal though.
Brake fluid leak is serious as said above and must be checked immediately. They could have left the bleed nipple loose, they could have twisted the brake hose during the work and now this has split, they could have forced a seized caliper piston back to get the pads in and damaged the seal. Or it could be dog pee... I'm not joking!
Unless you have a Land Rover and drive it in rivers all the while there should not be water behind the rear cylinder dust rubbers. Dirty water and dirty brake fluid are very similar... it could well have been the latter hence no con.
Forget going elsewhere... these folks even if they've made a mistake will be keen to get brakes right of all things. Get them to put it on the ramp, remove the front wheels, demonstrate any play in the suspension, show there is no excess play in the pads.
And most important show you what the fluid leak was.
David
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the brake fluid leak is either the piston seal, when you push a piston back it can make the seal leak especially if it has not been pushed back in a few years you may need a new caliper or you can re-seal these? only other leak is the rubber flexi hose or the bleed nipple been loose??
as for the rear cylinders he showed mucky brown water? how do you know it wasn't brake fluid? they do weep/leak and is advisable to replace as a pair in the long run, they may have been sticking pistons? let's know how you get on??
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On the brakes ....
Once did a brake re-rubber and was stopped by police because they saw some fluid on the rear tyres. My fault as I had not cleaned it off perfectly after bleeding. They agreed all was well, and left it at that.
Your rear cylinders 'might' have needed relacement. They do go more than the fronts. Don't fret two much as having them done is always a bonus anyway. On the fronts, maybe spillage/dribble is evident after they bleed the system.
I would check and accurately mark the level of fluid in the master cylinder (soft pencil mark outside the plastic cylinder), clean off the tyre and calipers and inspect every 2 days, and the master every day. If it drops, get new calipers immediately.
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Rear cylinders on late 90s Fiestas generally do less than 5 years before failure of seals. Do a Forum search.
Get the front 'leak' checked immediately without driving anywhere!.
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pmh (was peter)
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