Brake problem

[freenote]

Peugeot 207
Brake pedal has a fair bit of play at the top. Then a bit further down brakes kick in very sharply (almost hit your face on the steering wheel!). No problem with braking power but lack of progressiveness is dangerous.

I know there is a large lip on the discs but would this cause the above problem?

Any help appreciated.

Alex

[DAVEVO9]

freenote said:

Peugeot 207
Brake pedal has a fair bit of play at the top. Then a bit further down brakes kick in very sharply (almost hit your face on the steering wheel!). No problem with braking power but lack of progressiveness is dangerous.

I know there is a large lip on the discs but would this cause the above problem?

Any help appreciated.

Alex

Does the pedal play get less if you pump the brakes a bit?

If you have rear drum brakes and they are not self adjusting that might cure the long pedal.

Does your handbrake travel up far?

[freenote]

DAVEVO9 said:

Does the pedal play get less if you pump the brakes a bit?

If you have rear drum brakes and they are not self adjusting that might cure the long pedal.

Does your handbrake travel up far?

I will have to check that tomorrow. I think I've tried pumping it and it makes no difference.

[DAVEVO9]

freenote said:

I will have to check that tomorrow. I think I've tried pumping it and it makes no difference.

That pretty much rules out air in the system then.

Prob rear brake adjustment would cure your symptoms.

Worth checking the fluid level in the master cylinder too. Top it up to the max level if it's low.

Do you have to pull the handbrake up fairly high?

[freenote]

DAVEVO9 said:

That pretty much rules out air in the system then.

Prob rear brake adjustment would cure your symptoms.

Worth checking the fluid level in the master cylinder too. Top it up to the max level if it's low.

Do you have to pull the handbrake up fairly high?

now that you mention it i had rear brakes cleaned and adjusted when i took it in for fluid change last month. Seemed to fix the problem, but it returned yesterday after I stopped suddenly and ended up pushing the pedal quite far down. Could this have brought back the problem?
Need to check if handbrake has got loose again.

[DAVEVO9]

freenote said:

now that you mention it i had rear brakes cleaned and adjusted when i took it in for fluid change last month. Seemed to fix the problem, but it returned yesterday after I stopped suddenly and ended up pushing the pedal quite far down. Could this have brought back the problem?
Need to check if handbrake has got loose again.

What you could have is your rear brake shoes might need replacing because they are worn.

This would give you brake pedal travel.

Just needs all checking out really.

Does your handbrake need a lot of clicks to pull up?

[freenote]

Thanks Dave,

Got rears adjusted today (along with discs and pads at front) and seems to have done the trick.

[DAVEVO9]

freenote said:

Thanks Dave,

Got rears adjusted today (along with discs and pads at front) and seems to have done the trick.

Glad to be of help.

Were the rear brake shoes checked for wear?

Sounds like they could be close to replacing soon.

Front discs and pads should only need 50-100 miles to bed in too.

Also when was the brake fluid last changed?