Servo question

[anonymous-user]

Recently had a brake problem with my Pug 405, the seals in the master cylinder went t*ts up. The mob that repaired it appear to have swapped the master and the servo (although I can't be sure)for what looks like a second hand unit. The day after I'd picked it up the pedal felt soft initially, like there was air in the system, but after a few miles the pedal started firming up until the brakes started to bind up. Over the last few days I've gradually backed off the adjusting rod trying to introduce some slack between master and servo until now the rod is fully screwed down. The pedal feel is now softer for longer but after 10 or so miles I can feel the brakes starting to bind again Interestingly if I pull over and press really hard on the pedal it gradually goes down to the floor and when I let it off the brakes have freed up again. When they do start to bind up now, it's only the front brakes that get warm At first, before I started adjusting the rod it was all four wheels.

The parts man at my local main dealer has checked the vin number and reckons the master and servo should be either Bosch or ATE, it's got a Bosch servo with a Bendix master sitting on top now. It looks like these parts may be incompatible, I've asked the people that did the swap what make the old units were but they've no idea as they have binned them and I can't remember what was on there in the first place.

So, my question is, should I try a compatible master cylinder with the servo or is there something wrong with the servo that is making it gradually pull the brakes on? All suggestions, good wishes, b*ll*ckings etc gratefully recieved.

Bob

[steve_d]

Sound like... A. The parts are not compatible hence the binding. B. The master cylinder is defective if you can make the pedal go right down by standing on it.

If the place you went to are not prepared to replace both with OE parts then you will have to look for help elsewhere. Are you with the AA or RAC so you can get an inspection done? With this you may be able to claim your money back from the garage or take your complaint to trading standards.

If you know what adjusting the pushrod is all about then I would surmise you are more than capable of replacing the units yourself in which case get the units new from a motor factors or Ebay and cut you losses and hassle.

Steve

[anonymous-user]

I've ordered new parts today, driving around today in fairly heavy traffic with the engine more or less ticking over, the brakes were fine, if a little spongey. A few miles at 60ish on the A2 and they gradually started to bind. I think I've wound up with a dodgy servo and a master cylinder thats leaking internally just like the old one. Oh well, at least it stops, even if it's not when I want to.