brake probs

[vodkakid]

I've started having problems with my motors brakes. There servo asist with cooper discs at the front. The problem is that the pedal sometimes goes hard and sometimes it feels like its going down in stages, then other times it works fine.. any ideas what the problem might be, ta AC

[huwbertus]

Sonds like something is binding / sticking.

I Wouldn't drive it untill sorted though.

Check your pads for uneven wear or rust marks on your disks as this could indicate a caliper problem.

Does the car pull left or right as well?

[Cooperman]

vodkakid said:

I've started having problems with my motors brakes. There servo asist with cooper discs at the front. The problem is that the pedal sometimes goes hard and sometimes it feels like its going down in stages, then other times it works fine.. any ideas what the problem might be, ta AC

I hate to say it, Andy, but it could be one of several things.
First of all it could be a duff servo.I've had problems with the Mk3 remote servo in the past.
It could be as simple as a dodgy flexible hose where the inner wall has broken away and is causing a partial and intermittant blockage - I had this a couple of years ago with a Mini Pick-Up and again recently with a Fiesta. Normally this makes the car pull to one side when braking.
I doubt the calipers as they are normally very reliable.
It could be the master cylinder, but these are also normally no problem and what usually happens is that the pedal becomes spongy when they are failing.

What sort of servo do you have?

[vodkakid]

Sorry i've no idea Pete, its got a piece of tube on the top that goes to a white plastic circular thingy...sorry. I've replaced one of the pipes and need to do the other, it doesnt pull to one side it still brakes pretty straight. Cheers.

Have just found that the little hose on the top is leaking.. could that cause my problems???

>> Edited by vodkakid on Tuesday 5th April 17:18

[Cooperman]

vodkakid said:

Sorry i've no idea Pete, its got a piece of tube on the top that goes to a white plastic circular thingy...sorry. I've replaced one of the pipes and need to do the other, it doesnt pull to one side it still brakes pretty straight. Cheers. Have just found that the little hose on the top is leaking.. could that cause my problems??? >> Edited by vodkakid on Tuesday 5th April 17:18

If that's the vac hose it certainly could. However, I would be surprised if your engine is running OK with a vac pipe leak. Change it and check it out. Let's know what happens.

Peter

[vodkakid]

Cheers Peter will do

[vodkakid]

Have changed the pipes, and its still doing it.

[guru_1071]

if its got a white top its a mk 3 servo. check that its got a non return valve in the hose, as many people never fit them when retro fitting the servos. this allows petrol vapour into the servo which rots the rubber diaphraghm. also check to make sure that proper servo pipe has been used. people often use heater hose which will collapse under vacuem

hope this helps

[vodkakid]

There wasn't a non-return valve on the one i took out.

[vodkakid]

Just had a look in the haynes book, from what i can make out its built in to the connection on the servo!

[guru_1071]

in the old days it was. those are now n.l.a, so you have to fit a in line one.

[miniman]

I have a complete servo, master cylinder and all plumbing going spare. Mail me if you're interested.

[vodkakid]

Thanks people!! Cheers James, I've got someone with more savy then me looking at it on friday so will let you know. Cheers AC

[vodkakid]

All fixed now, You was right huwbertus, it was a sticky brake drum shoe adjuster combo. Thanks people!