Spongey Brake Pedal after discs and pads replaced

[Tommy_L]

Right, the story goes like this:

Took my R53 Cooper S for a brake fluid service and the guys at the dealer said that their wasn't much life left in my break pads, and within a week the brake warning light comes on!

Got my mate who is a mechanic in an Audi dealership to change my discs and pads, went for Unipart discs and pads as it worked out roughly £150 cheaper!

Mate said not to drive hard to allow the brakes to bed in properly, so been driving cautiously for the last 10 days!

The brake pedal feels spongey, is this normal with new discs and pads? Or has either the brake fluid service or my mechanic mate done something wrong?

Help please, thanks!

[Richie121]

Yep,they will feel spongey for a little while,dont drive it like you stole it for a bit!! as you will glaze the pads,the brakes will bed in,just takes a few miles,twill be worth it in the end.

hope this helps

Regards

Richie

[Dirkdaddy]

I've done my own brakes for years, and they should not feel spongy after the first 5-6 stops. They won't GRIP for a little bit as they bed-in, but they should not be spongy at all. If the pedal sinks and requires pumping, your calipers may be still adjusting out to meet the rotors if he pushed them in excessively far, perhaps in the back, although this is doubtful. Make sure you have brake fluid, perhaps something is amiss.

If the pedal is spongy and springs back but is not firm underfoot as it should be, I'd get him to bleed the brakes for you. Some air may have entered the system when the calipers were hung up during the brake job or something. Not sure exactly how this could have happened as its sealed system, but if there is a spongy pedal, its usually time to bleed the brakes.

Fresh fluid is required every few years anyway, so its good idea regardless.

[redlinepete]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tommy_L (original)

Right, the story goes like this:

Took my R53 Cooper S for a brake fluid service and the guys at the dealer said that their wasn't much life left in my break pads, and within a week the brake warning light comes on!

Got my mate who is a mechanic in an Audi dealership to change my discs and pads, went for Unipart discs and pads as it worked out roughly £150 cheaper!

Mate said not to drive hard to allow the brakes to bed in properly, so been driving cautiously for the last 10 days!

The brake pedal feels spongey, is this normal with new discs and pads? Or has either the brake fluid service or my mechanic mate done something wrong?

Help please, thanks!

After I changed the disks and pads on my R53 JCW S.I had the fluid changed at Audi Bridgend (My wife works for them ) My brakes were perfect ...There was a little less brake grip but that came good after 50 miles or so. Take it back and have it looked at.
What is the mileage of your mini? Maybe the brake hoses are a little weak....Maybe change them to braided type.......