For the second time I now have a customer with me who complained that his brakes failed with the pedal going almost to the floor. The back up circuit worked OK. the rear brake drum got so hot that the dust cap on the bleed nipple melted! On dismantling the rear brake which was very tight to get apart - over adjustment perhaps? - we found all to be well. everything working as normal, absolutely no fluid leaks anywhere - linings good - all parts free and working OK. I re set the automatic adjuster ratchet, put it all back together and all now works like new. Pedal back at the top, handbrake adjustment good, tested and found to brake as you would expect.
I think the very fine teeth on the adjuster allowed it to go one notch too far and therefore prevented proper release of the shoes - hence the overheating but why did the pedal go to the floor with no leaks apparent? and why has it magically recovered?
So the questions are:-
has anyone else had this happen?
Anyone got a theory as to what has happened?
As I say, this is the second car with identical symptoms, the first with me driving a customers car and the second reported by another customer. I find it all very worrying.
Phil
