Neoparoykos
Active Member
Long story short, my 1972 Bavaria is experiencing some brake issues. If you are in the E3 Facebook group you have likely noticed my constant whining over the issue.
I have replaced most of the system at this point.
-New reman'd from calipers with new seals, etc
-Refurbished the rear calipers with new seals, etc
-Replaced all soft rubber lines with the stainless steel
-All hard lines (excluding the four from the MC to the front calipers) have been replaced
-New check valve
-MC was replaced then reinstalled original as new unit did not resolve issue
*Booster and rear proportioning valve are original
Between me and an experienced mechanic I would say the system has likely been bled 40+ times at this point, both using a power bleeder and the traditional method.
Here is the issue, the car will drive with a period of time without issue. Proper pedal feel, stops adequately, blah blah... Then after some time, either precipitated by normal use or hard braking, all four calipers will begin to lock (like smoking) and the pedal will firm significantly (rock hard). Pressure is obviously building to a high level and won't release. Not surprisingly, if I allow the car to sit for a period the pressure will release and the brakes will return to normal. There doesn't appear to be any vacuum leaks unless I am missing something. I have noticed, just yesterday, that the car is seeming to idle more poorly than when this issue began. This, of course, leads me back to vacuum, but I don't even know where to begin in that regard. Besides, the issue began well before the idle issue.
I can see from searching the site that E9 owners have very similar symptoms, but they never return to describe how they resolved the issue. Hoping enough E3 owners peck around in here to help. I am over a month on trying to solve this, and other brake issues and just want to drive Cherry (as well call her) issue-free again.
Any help would be tremendously appreciated.
I have replaced most of the system at this point.
-New reman'd from calipers with new seals, etc
-Refurbished the rear calipers with new seals, etc
-Replaced all soft rubber lines with the stainless steel
-All hard lines (excluding the four from the MC to the front calipers) have been replaced
-New check valve
-MC was replaced then reinstalled original as new unit did not resolve issue
*Booster and rear proportioning valve are original
Between me and an experienced mechanic I would say the system has likely been bled 40+ times at this point, both using a power bleeder and the traditional method.
Here is the issue, the car will drive with a period of time without issue. Proper pedal feel, stops adequately, blah blah... Then after some time, either precipitated by normal use or hard braking, all four calipers will begin to lock (like smoking) and the pedal will firm significantly (rock hard). Pressure is obviously building to a high level and won't release. Not surprisingly, if I allow the car to sit for a period the pressure will release and the brakes will return to normal. There doesn't appear to be any vacuum leaks unless I am missing something. I have noticed, just yesterday, that the car is seeming to idle more poorly than when this issue began. This, of course, leads me back to vacuum, but I don't even know where to begin in that regard. Besides, the issue began well before the idle issue.
I can see from searching the site that E9 owners have very similar symptoms, but they never return to describe how they resolved the issue. Hoping enough E3 owners peck around in here to help. I am over a month on trying to solve this, and other brake issues and just want to drive Cherry (as well call her) issue-free again.
Any help would be tremendously appreciated.
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