What has died on my brakes?

[Rickyy]

96-04 model VW Caddy SDI.

Brake pedal went soft and handbrake has become very loose with very little effectiveness. Brakes firmed up after a few pumps and stops the van fine.

I'm thinking because the handbrake has gone and the front brakes seem to be working, I can rule out a hydraulic fault?

Problem with a shoes or something on the adjusting mechanism in the drum has eaten itself? If I pull the handbrake up when moving, it pulls the van to the right slightly.

Taking it to be repaired tomorrow, but would like some info in case they try it on!

[HustleRussell]

I'd wager a faulty brake drum adjuster mechanism or a detached friction lining on one of the shoes.

[Rickyy]

Was thinking along those lines, wouldn't it make one hell of a racket it the liner had detached?

[stevieturbo]

the biasing valve at the rear could be faulty, letting air in

[paintman]

Rickyy said:

Was thinking along those lines, wouldn't it make one hell of a racket it the liner had detached?

Not necessarily. Had a Pug 205 on which one of the linings had detached. Braking was poor, but no unusual noise.

[Rickyy]

They've taken the drum apart and apparently the spring for the adjusting mechanism wasn't there! Leaking cylinder too, having both replaced along with new shoes and obviously the adjusters repaired.