hard brakes

macker37 · Post by **macker37** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:53 pm

having recently purchased my latest 16v and only driven it a few miles , noticed the brakes are like a brick, will bleeding sort this problem out, they will stop you but are super sensitive.

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:00 pm

When there is air in the system, it causes a delay in reaction between pressing the pedal and the brakes operating, in which you press harder resulting in an illusion of extra sensitivity.

Does this sound familiar?

macker37 · Post by **macker37** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:03 pm

its more you hardly touch them and they stop you cant press any more than an inch

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:45 pm

At the risk at condesencion, how familiar with Citroen hydraulics are you? It sounds like the brakes are working fine!

The braking system is designed to be activated by pressure (a small amount) rather than movement, and the brake pedal opens a valve rather than operates a master cylinder. Total movement is ITRO an inch...

demag · Post by **demag** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:49 pm

I have to say all the Citroens I've owned have had very sharp brakes with minimal pedal movement. The most "modern" feeling is the Xm and the brakes aren't set up right on that anyway! The DS has a button on the floor and if you so much as breath on it you will smack your nose on the steering wheel!

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:08 am

Dont sound like anything wrong with them brakes. Its a BX and the Brakes on a BX are good because of the Hydaulic System they use. Heck good set of shoes and New discs and whay hay fantastic.

Aint broke dont fix I think the saying is.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:05 pm

Agree with all of the above comments, sounds like you arent used to driving a citroen with hydrualically operated brakes. Once you get used to them, it wont take that long honest, when you jump in any other car their brakes will feel all horrible & mushy.

I really like the fact that pedal doesnt move much & its just down to how much pressure you put on the pedal.

If you arent sure, have a spin up my way & you can drive my motors to compare them against incase there is a problem, i doubt it though. Have fun learning to brake smoothly

mnde · Post by **mnde** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:11 pm

MULLEY wrote:sounds like you arent used to driving a citroen with hydrualically operated brakes.

Not as this is BX 16V no. 7, as per his siggy

Mark.

macker37 · Post by **macker37** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:03 pm

On previous cars they were never as hard as this. Thanks and for the record this is my first BX in bout 8 years and I am not the most mechanically minded person. Bought my first one when I was 18 and knew then what a great car it was and recently purchased this model so sorry for being unfamilliar with there brakes.

Thanks again for youre help.
Macker

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:38 pm

Some BXs were fitted with a spring underneath the brake pedal (as were the Xant!@s). I believe this was to 'normalise' the feel of the brake pedal and give a degree of travel, like conventional cars.
I wonder (even if it is unlikely) whether your previous cars all had the spring wheras this one doesn't.

macker37 · Post by **macker37** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:41 pm

will check over weekend cheers

stuart_hedges · Post by **stuart_hedges** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:46 pm

mat_fenwick wrote:Some BXs were fitted with a spring underneath the brake pedal (as were the Xant!@s). I believe this was to 'normalise' the feel of the brake pedal and give a degree of travel, like conventional cars.
I wonder (even if it is unlikely) whether your previous cars all had the spring wheras this one doesn't.

'zat true? I wasn't aware of any BXs with a silly spring.

My XM had one though - very odd.