dodgy brakes after fitting new discs and pads

[Quinnie]

there is absolutely nothing happening in the first 3/4 of the brake pedal. even the bottom 1/4 is really weak. when i pump the pedal with the engine off it goes stiff(ish) execpt for the first 1/4 of movement.
i did not bleed the brakes afterward, wasnt sure if i had to?
help and solutions appreciated

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Good lord...

i did not bleed the brakes afterward

Do this !!!

 

[mossyv6]

Bleed the brakes, this engages the pads against the discs and removes the air bubbles from the fluid to stop the spongey feeling.

 

[Adam.]

I've never bled brakes when changing pads :S. Just pop the reserviour cap off, push pistons back pop new pads in, cap back on then pump the pedal.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Fair enough Adam. Something's clearly gone wrong... levels need checking at least... I wouldn't have expected this with a pad change TBH, unless the pads were so past worn out that pushing the piston back in has emptied the reservoir all over the engine bay due to the difference in pad thickness.

 

[Adam.]

I suspect contaminated pads/disc.

 

[JonC219]

or they might need bedding in ..

 

[DannyR]

or they might need bedding in ..

This!

 

[Quinnie]

sorted now. bled them and all is fine. when i put it all back together i had to push the piston back in to fit over the new pads (which were worn right down, i got my mony's worth) so i think i empited it when i did.
lesson learned for next time
thanks for the advice guys can go bed them in now

 

[mossyv6]

Glad you got it sorted mate.