Kilps Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 So yeah... I just pushed the pistons back into my front caliper with a G-clamp. I know this isn't the way to do it, but I don't know how garages do it. I didn't undo the bleed nipple either because I was being lazy and thought I'd get away with it. More fool me! Now I have brake fluid (I assume it's brake fluid, I haven't changed anything else!) dripping down onto my front subframe in two places, about equal distances from the centre, about one third of the way from the outside of the subframe, with one third between them. Might make more sense with a diagram: I---X---X---I I = Outside of subframe where it joins to the wishbone arm X = Drip location I tried looking up above the drips, but I can't see where the fluid is coming from. I'll have to jack the car up higher to have a better look later, but I thought I'd see what you guys think first. In case it makes any difference, I have a J-Spec RZ with UK Brakes (factory fitted). What have I broken?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awisto Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Pushing back with a G clamp is fine. Did you remove the brake reservoir cap? is it excess fluid coming out of the reservoir? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 As above, you should always remove the res cap and put some blue roll or something round to catch the excess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilps Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 It's always the obvious things you miss! I didn't even think to open the bonnet! I'll go and check now, stand by for an update! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilps Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 (edited) Just went and checked... it seems you're right. The fluid is right at the top of the reservoir, to the point that it 'fizzed' like a can of Coke when I took the cap off! I assume the only reason it's dripping from both sides of the subframe is because it's flowing across the top of it. I hope this is the case, it means I haven't broken anything! How do I reduce the level of fluid in the reservoir? A pipette (haven't used that word since GCSE science!) or something? On another note though, I just discovered my battery is flat. The clock's stopped and the central locking doesn't work. Fixing things is never as simple as it should be!! Cheers guys Edited January 11, 2011 by Kilps Grammar OCD (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Suck it out the top or bleed a little out of the caliper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awisto Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 But not with a straw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilps Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 Thank you very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilps Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 But not with a straw! Haha, it dripped in my eye earlier... I'll try and keep it out of my other facial orifices! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsween Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Just one thing to bear in mind with the brakes. Its a pressurized system. So if you push the piston back you decrease the volume which increases pressure. Thats what can pop seals or reservoir caps etc. So when doing it you need somewhere that the trapped volume can go. Ergo, do it with the bleed nipple undone or with the reservoir cap off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilps Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 Just one thing to bear in mind with the brakes. Its a pressurized system. So if you push the piston back you decrease the volume which increases pressure. Thats what can pop seals or reservoir caps etc. So when doing it you need somewhere that the trapped volume can go. Ergo, do it with the bleed nipple undone or with the reservoir cap off That makes sense I suppose Part of the reason I didn't undo the bleed nipple (as well as laziness) is because I thought I'd have to replace whatever fluid came out and I don't have any. Presumably this isn't the case then, as the lack of volume makes up for the lack of fluid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awisto Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Well, you need to check the reservoir before pushing the pistons back really. If it's fairly low due to the pads being low, and hasn't been topped up because the pads are low, then you won't need to worry about any spillage when replacing the pads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsween Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 That makes sense I suppose Part of the reason I didn't undo the bleed nipple (as well as laziness) is because I thought I'd have to replace whatever fluid came out and I don't have any. Presumably this isn't the case then, as the lack of volume makes up for the lack of fluid? If the reservoir was partially empty then yes thats spot on However if you don't have the cap off you pressurize the air inside the reservoir If the reservoir was full-ish then it'd overflow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilps Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 All makes sense I've run out of time before work, but I'll go play with it again in the morning. Watch for more threads tomorrow, when I think I've broken something else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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