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Thread: Intermittent Brake Issue

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
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    Central Florida
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    2000 Z3

    Intermittent Brake Issue

    2000 Z3 Roadster 2.8 5Sp with DSC, 55000 Miles

    Lately I've been experiencing some issue with the brakes,

    The brake pedal will act as it should most of the time, but sometime it will travel farther to the floor (not all the way to bottom out, but deeper than usual), mostly happen under moderate braking. If I release it and brake again the pedal feel normal and the travelling distance is back as usual, the brakes will work as intended and ramdomely the same happen again.

    The reservoir stay full, don't see any leaks.
    I'm thinking damaged/internaly leaking master, but would like advice.

    Also looking at the part replacement, the part # listed for the 2000 is 34311163711, but mine as DSC, so shouldit be #34316754048?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
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    Louisville, KY
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    4,503
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    1997 BMW Z3 1.9L 5MT
    Maybe you have old soft rubber brake lines that expand. Takes that second pump to pressurize the lines.
    Last edited by Vintage42; 07-16-2018 at 06:33 AM.
    BMW MOA 696, BMW CCA 1405

  3. #3
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    The cheapest thing to try is to just bleed the brake system. Maybe you have an air pocket somewhere?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
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    tempe, az
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    1998 Z3M, 2006 330i
    You may have already done this quick easy test: With engine off, push as hard as you can on the brake pedal for over 30 seconds. It will initially give to a point and then stop. If it continues to sink after that, the master cylinder is bad. If it passes that test, I'd bleed the whole system.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
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    Central Florida
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    2000 Z3
    Quote Originally Posted by zellamay View Post
    You may have already done this quick easy test: With engine off, push as hard as you can on the brake pedal for over 30 seconds. It will initially give to a point and then stop. If it continues to sink after that, the master cylinder is bad. If it passes that test, I'd bleed the whole system.
    Will try that and see what happens

  6. #6
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    EXOTICS
    Bleed the system, and if it hasn't been done every couple of years,
    flush the entire system, to clear all contaminants.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
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    99 M Coupe LS Swap
    My bet is that the pads or pad is getting kicked back under certain conditions. Given this is an intermittent problem I would think air or bad master would be more consistent. Check your wheel bearings and caliper bushings. Look at the pads. Are they even and flat?
    Dan "PbFut" Rose

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Central Florida
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    2000 Z3
    Did the pedal test and the pedal didn't seem to go any deeper.

    Replaced the front pads a month ago, will do the rear one over the weekend and flush the system.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    1998 M Roadster
    Quote Originally Posted by wildspeed View Post
    Did the pedal test and the pedal didn't seem to go any deeper.

    Replaced the front pads a month ago, will do the rear one over the weekend and flush the system.
    I am guessing the intermittent issue with your brakes showed up contemporaneous with your replacing the front pads. If so, one pad is likely hanging up on occasion and that is the cause. If indeed these events correlate, re-do the fronts and be sure to clean and lubricate everything.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Central Florida
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    My Cars
    2000 Z3
    Issue was happening before replacing the front pads and was hopping the switch was going to remedy it
    But will take them out again when I do the back and check everything again.
    Thanks everyone for all the suggestions
    Last edited by wildspeed; 07-17-2018 at 08:59 AM.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
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    Central Florida
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    2000 Z3
    Finally got around to have the brake fluid flush, situation did improve a lot. ( but still feel a little spongy time to time)
    Didn't get a chance to replace the rear pads, been busy fixing electric/electronic equipments around the house after a direct lighting hit...

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
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    Central Florida
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    My Cars
    2000 Z3
    Late update.
    Master cylinder failure.

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