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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi all,

Am in need of some help, changed the front brake pads on my navara, 57 plate and now the brakes are binding.

Everything seems fine when they are changed ie. can press the brake pedal and then release and the wheel will turn, but after driving for about half and hour the brakes are binding.

Have bleed all the brakes a number of times, also had the flexible brake lines off to check for a blockage all seems fine.

Is it the master cylinder? If so can the same master cylinder be found on any other Nissan that might be sat in a scrap yard.

Thanks, Michael.
 
Firstly welcome to the Navara forum.

The reason your brakes are binding is most likely some muck/corrosion on the caliper pistons was pushed back in on the seals when you fitted the new pads.

Strip the pads back out of the calipers and pump the pistons out enough to clean them,( BE CAREFULL NOT TO PUMP THEM RIGHT OUT! and only do one at a time). Lots of wd40 and a scourer pad will do wonders to clean them up. Once clean push them back in and pump them out a couple of times to make sure they are clean and working freely.

It would be nice of you do do the honours in the 'Introduce yourself' section.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Second time of trying to fix them, cleaned all the shims and coated with copper ease and the pads sprung in and out easily.

Have tried all the common stuff, my last thought is the master cylinder, as can release the pressure via the bleed nipple and the brakes release.
 
both brakes binding?
and are you happy you have no air in the system?
altho i have no idea how you can tell if you have air the system as the brakes are so ***** anyway. a big vague spongy pedal at best!
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
yeah both brakes binding, makes it sound more like the master cylinder.

Am going to try and rule everything else out by applying the brakes a few timse and then undoing the brake pipe at the master cylinder to see if that releases the brakes.

Anyone out there ever took the master cylinder apart?
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
I think I have the full story....

The brake pistons are not releasing fully and this is causing the discs and calipers to get hot and thus expanding and everything is binding.

Just tried it and when cold and the brakes are applied and released the Navara will move freely. taken it for a short drive and parked it on a small incline and the car will not move, without the handbrake applied.

Slightly undid the brake pipes from the master cylinder and re tightened and hey presto the Navara will move freely.

To me this seems like the master cylinder is at fault, anyone agree as don't want to spend all that money and find its something else.
 
I am very sceptical re the master cylinder being at fault, especially since your symptoms have only started since you changed the pads.

If the brakes are binding, no matter what the reason, they will heat up very quickly causing the brake fluid to expand and effectivly lock the brakes on making matters worse. Releasing pressure by opening a bleed valve will tremporarily relieve the symptoms.

Is it possible the new pads and the shims are too thick causing them to bind. Try refitting your old pads to see if that temporarily fixes the problem OR try the new pads without the anti squeal shims, the copper grease does the same job.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Well have found out whats happening but don't know why.

When I have it up on the jack can press the brake and release and the wheel turns easily, but try this with the engine running and the brakes stay on.

Any ideas??

I am losing the will to live.

Michael.

Ps. have changed the master cylinder, still the same.
 
im at a lose with this, when you pushed the caliper pistons back in, did they go back smoothly? and did you remember to slacken off the reservoir cap?
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Thanks everyone,

Took it into a local garage, so they can go through the same I have, just exhausted all I could think of.

To answer your questions, I have removed the switches on the brake pedal but only after the problem started, as the brake lights didn't work at the time. At one stage there was no free play on the booster, in fact was pushing the master cylinder piston slightly, this got my hopes up, but adjusted it and still no change.

Did take the reservoir cap off, on the initial brake pad change the pistons didn't go back too easily, but now move freely.

Will let you know what the garage thinks, I was at a loss and fed up of trying things. The only other things I could think that may be causing it where a faulty ABS or wheel sensors, don't know if that could cause this though.

Probably something simple that I have missed.

Annoyingly I am meant to be in Cornwall, hopefully soon.

Thanks again Michael.
 
Is there a chance the vacuum brake assistance is working all the time, instead of when the pedal is depressed?

How about trying to disconnect and plugging the vaccum at the brake servo to see if that is at fault?
 
GreaseDonkey said:
Something is wrong with the brake pedal adjustment!
This is the main reason of front brake binding after a driving for a few minutes.

could a previous owner have adjusted this with worn pads/discs to help improve the braking experience?? so now with new pads/discs its out of adjustment? just a thought
 
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