- This topic has 9 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 9 months ago by
.
-
Topic
-
Has anyone used a brake pad pressure tester? I just got this and started playing with it. I didn’t know if both sides should be done at the same time or if one at a time wouldn’t matter. I was alone so I did one side at a time. It is the IPA 7884.
Here is a link to it http://www.amazon.com/Innovative-Products-America-7884-Pressure/dp/B000850MZK
I got different reading from the left and right front pads. 1000 psi left / 1300 psi right. Was it because they were done separately? I don’t think the MC is split left and right. My thinking is they should be the same or something may be wrong. Not sure if the 300 is acceptable or not.
The car is a 2001 Grand Am Front Disk and rear drums.
-
Replies
-
no clue. what do the directions say? do you have a pull condition or just playing with ur new toy lol. i wouldn’t worry about it as long as the pads are wearing evenly.
Direction are very vague. There is no numbers chart to refer to. I do have a red brake light on the dash and I thought I would throw this (yes new toy) into the mix.
I was thinking maybe some air in the line would cause uneven pressure? I would think air would be in the lower pressure side. It is possible air got into the ABS while I was rebuilding the calipers and didn’t get out during the bleeding process. Would distance from the MC cause a pressure difference? Right wheel being slightly further than the left. The right was the lower of the two.
ya i would agree with you air can cause a pressure difference. yes possible air in the ABS box. don’t think distance has anything to do with pressure difference. how does the pedal feel? is the fluid topped off?
Yep pedal feels ok so if there is air it can’t be much. The car does drive and stop when I press on the brakes. Fluid level is fine. I do have the red brake light coming on when I start to drive it. I took off the rear drums today to see if anything looked out of place but the shoes have lots of meat left and nothing is leaking. Just can’t figure why the light is on. I rebuilt the calipers after seeing some wetness on the boots. I need a red brake light flow chart so I can move onto the next link to test. I also bench bleed the MC.
I use one of these made by a different co from time to time. first you need to know is, the brake system is split. left front and right rear, right front and left rear. second you need to use these together, that way both sides will get the same pressure at the same time. Third a difference in pressure does make a difference. i/e partially restricted hose, frozen or sticking brake mechanical parts etc. keep posting and if there is a problem, we will talk you through it.
Great diagnostic tool. take the time to get comfortable with it, it can really be helpful
Keep posting and good luckHow do I find out if the system is split? Can I just look at the MC and tell? Or is is listed on AllData somewhere? And thanks I will do both at the same time next time. If the car has front disk and rear drum would they be still split front and rear? I agree it’s a nice tool to have and doesn’t take up space in my box. It’s great for instant view if caliper is sticking by watching the needle.
the grand am is a four channel abs system. this means that each wheel is independently controlled from the abs box. look at the abs box it should have two lines going into it from the master cylinder and four lines going out to each wheel.
Oh Thanks derbycrazy that might shed a different light on the unequal readings I had got. Having only used the tester once so far I have no past numbers to base any suspicions or conclusions on. Need more tests !
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.