cypermethrin Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Jumped into my wife's 300 tdi last night and had the shock of my life while trying to brake - blimey they are rubbish - has to litterally stand on the pedal to avoid the back of a van. Looks like the brake servo is leaking (it has all new lines/brake shoes/fluid etc etc) can I replace the servo without needing to empty the master cylinder etc of brake fluid etc - if so how do I go about doing this ? Thanks very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K88 MUD Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Yes you can but have you checked the vacuum pump first ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 How long ago were the other parts replaced, and were the brakes OK after said parts were fitted? Just thinking there could be some air still in the system, or maybe the new pads are not bedded in correctly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cypermethrin Posted October 14, 2010 Author Share Posted October 14, 2010 thanks for the replies - brake rebuild was done about 1000 miles ago - I don't drive it that much and remarked at the time of the rebuild that they were "pants" - the usual "they will bed" reply came. Clearly they have not improved any since then. I'll check the vaccum pump tonight - I have not got anything to meansure the pressure - will have to do the thumb thing ... Had a TD5 before can can't recall the brakes being this dire..... Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyboy Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 thanks for the replies - brake rebuild was done about 1000 miles ago - I don't drive it that much and remarked at the time of the rebuild that they were "pants" - the usual "they will bed" reply came. Clearly they have not improved any since then. I'll check the vaccum pump tonight - I have not got anything to meansure the pressure - will have to do the thumb thing ... Had a TD5 before can can't recall the brakes being this dire..... Thanks Alternatively, pump the brake pedal a few times with the engine off. Apply pressure to the brake pedal and, whilst keeping the pressure on the pedal start the engine. The brake peadl should go down a bit as the vaccuum builds up in the servo. HTH. Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nige P Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Have you got drums or discs on the rear? Nige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Have you got drums or discs on the rear? Nige says it's a 300 tdi so it'll be rear disc brakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cypermethrin Posted October 14, 2010 Author Share Posted October 14, 2010 Yep new discs and pads all round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cypermethrin Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 Update........ Took the vacuum pipe off the brake servo and there is a very slight negative pressure only enough to just feel it on your index finger the brake pedal does sink slightly upon start up left the vacuum pipe off and drove down the lane, and the brakes were no different than before. Does the servo retain the vacuum without the pipe being fixed am now confused!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K88 MUD Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Update........ Took the vacuum pipe off the brake servo and there is a very slight negative pressure only enough to just feel it on your index finger the brake pedal does sink slightly upon start up left the vacuum pipe off and drove down the lane, and the brakes were no different than before. Does the servo retain the vacuum without the pipe being fixed am now confused!! When the vac pipe is removed you loose the vacuum so no servo assist....my guess would be the vac pump needs replacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cypermethrin Posted October 22, 2010 Author Share Posted October 22, 2010 Well K88 MUD your prognosis that it was the vacuum pump that needed replacing was spot on - many thanks. It now stops with no problem and very little effort. Thanks again to all you helpful folk on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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