Help brake question please

[Rusty Lee]

Hio all i took my van for mot today its a 71 disc brake with servo.the van failed on front brakes.the rear was really good and he said better than the front.he told me to change the pads but they have loads of meat leftr on them surely it cant be this what could it be the van has a brake compinsator thing under neath could it be that i need to get this sorted so i can get on the road any help would be fab thanks Lee...

 

[KateLovesPurple]

New pads and disks can make a real improvement if the old pads are very old and glazed and the disks are old and worn.

 

[Rusty Lee]

the bus was a daily driver in the states ive just imported it but the pads may be old im not sure prehaps i should change them but would i have to change the discs you think they look ok to me

 

[faux]

Sorry to hear it didn't pass

Is the servo working ok? It sounds like there is a problem there.

 

[Rusty Lee]

gutted jon really have tried hard 12 oclock finshes and it failed.whats best way to check the servo mate.illl upload my van pics now and put um in gallery

 

[KateLovesPurple]

I doubt whether it is a servo problem as the rear brakes are working very well. Something to do with the front only. Possibly a hydraulic problem, i.e.damaged rigids or twisted flexies, or possibly the front calipers starting to seize or the pads and disks as mentioned. As for replacing the disks, if they are badly grooved, or showing signs of heat damage or are too thin, (check your Haynes manual for minimum thickness), then, yes, replace them.

 

[Rusty Lee]

replaced all flexys mate and the ssolids going into them too.could it be anything to do with that compinsator thing.

 

[KateLovesPurple]

No. The compensator is only in the rear line and has no effect on the braking effort produced at the front wheels.

 

[Rusty Lee]

ok thanks mate could it be stuck lettin more pressure to the back or is it bullet proof.ill check my disc thickness too and take look at the pads,thanks for the replies i really appreciate it

 

[KateLovesPurple]

No, even if it was stuck, it would still only affect the rear breaking effort. They are pretty bullet proof, all they are is a big ball bearing, an O ring and a gasket basically. I had to repair mine recently as it was leaking but a new gasket took care of it.

Good luck with it!

 

[Justin & Muttley]

I'd try the caliper rebuild route (should cost you less than £40 in new seals etc) - it's pretty straightforward and could give you a vast improvement if yours are sticking, might be an idea to slip new pads and disks in too.

 

[Rusty Lee]

thanks for replys guys.i had a look at the servo as the brakes are really hard to push i took the pipe off the front of the servo and noticed a grommet wedged in there no vacum at all was comin through it so i cut it out put the pipe back on went up the road and it brakes really well now but the trouble im havin now is if you are stood still and push the foot brake when the engine is idleing the revs increase slightly then it dies and cutts out.why is this does the pipe from the body to the servo need that grommet but the brakes are pants with it in someone said a non return valve might be needed.im desperate to fix this so i can get my mot.

 

[Araon]

does sound like the non return valve is buggered or missing

 

[Rusty Lee]

where is the non return valve located mate or where should it be mate thanks Lee....

 

[Araon]

normally in the engine bay just before it exits

 

[Rusty Lee]

im sure there is nothing in there would that be causeing the engine to stall when i press the brake