1998 V70 XC brake fluid concern.

[Ludermilch]

Hello MVS members,

Nearing the end of the stage 0+ restoration of my wagon, I replaced the front brake flexible lines after fighting with the seized nuts on the hard lines. Recently I replaced the brake fluid and today while bleeding the line I get discolored fluid from the bleed. See photo.

On the left is the type 200 fluid I used. Middle is what I bleed today. The right is what I flushed out last week. Am I just over concerned about what came out today? I guess it's some mixing of leftover old and new fluid.

Second: has all V70's had a soft braking pedal? I put in some FCP stainless lines and expected a better feel than what I am getting. My old Camry had grabby brakes and I liked the confident braking.

Thank you for any insight.

Alex

[scot850]

There is usually an order in which I was taught to flush a brake system. Starting with the caliper closest to the master cylinder and working from closest to furthest, making sure clean fluid emerges before moving onto the next. Sometimes air can get trapped in the system after bleeding, so my suggestion would be to re-bleed the system. Old fluid absorbs moisture and eventually gives a spongy feel to the peddle.

A lifeless peddle can be a seized caliper piston. Check all pads for even wear. Rears are the worst in my experience.

A soft peddle can also be signs of a leaking master cylinder. You have to be careful when pushing the pistons back into the caliper to replace pads. I prefer to do this with having the master cylinder cap removed to reduce back pressure, and ideally with the bleed nipple on that caliper open . I once got a 240 back from a dealer and the breaks failed on first use as they had forced the pistons back in and blown out the master cylinder seals. Of course it wasn't their fault!

I have had master cylinder seals leak, but you don't notice it until you get a smell of brake fluid in the drivers' compartment. The leak runs into the brake booster housing. This is also possibly the soft peddle you are getting with lack of feel.

Steel coated lines should give a firmer peddle as they do not flex as much.

Finally, check none of the hard lines are leaking. Particularly the one that runs from the LH rear jacking point over the rear sub-frame to the RH caliper. It is hard to see, but I have found the part nearest each end are the worst.

Neil.

[Ludermilch]

All four corners are good, and have been recently replaced with new rotors and pads. I did another break bleed and now it is firmer. But... I still don't have that instant grab when I hit the brakes. It's not like other cars I've driven. My next source of problems may just be the master cylinder.

From what I remember, this wagon and a previous V70 GLT each never had quick Brakes.

[scot850]

My 2000 R has poor brakes compared with our old 98 XC. Both were put to shame by our 93 850 GLT.

Pad and rotor type/material can also cause variation in 'gripiness' of brakes.

Neil.