Rear Brake Mot Failure

[jamiej 0]

Heya,

 

My 205 failed the MOT today, only some small things which shouldnt be too hard to sort but i was wondering if i could have knowledge form you guys about the following failure point.

 

Offside rear brake providing no or little effect : Is this likiely to be the caliper ? also the MOT testing mentioned the handbrake operation when bleeding the system, ring any bells?

 

many thanks

 

Jamie

[Anthony 1,002]

If it's a 1.9 GTi then it'll almost certainly be the compensator at fault on that side if it's the foot/service brake it's failed on, but passed the handbrake test.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Second the compensator if it's a 1.9

 

Disconnect flexi hose from offending caliper - stamp on brake pedal. If no fluid comes out then compensator will be the problem.

[jamiej 0]

oki doki,

 

If thats the case ;

1. How do i fix or where can i buy a replacement compensator

 

and

 

2. what size open ring spanner ring i need to take the hoses off

 

Many thanks

 

Jamie

 

PS,

it is the 1.9

[MerlinGTI 3]

I think its an 11mm from memory. Best off with an actual brake pipe spanner really, less chance of rounding off the union. Try it with a normal spanner first tho if you havent got a propper one, you might be supprised.

 

Im pretty sure the compensators are a non serviceable part, pug themselves would probably be your best bet, or maybe an excuse to fit a bias valve insted (if your {sad?} like me and enjoy tweaking and fiddling with things that is )

[jamiej 0]

Righty,

 

This is a little worrying, if the compensator is a common part to fail, then how to other ppl sort out the problem when it goes, is it the kind of thing i would need to get from a scrap yard or something, I imagine Pug would charge the planet for a OE part like that ?

 

Any more opinions/suggestions ?

 

Thanks

 

jamie

Edited July 9, 2009 by jamiej

[MerlinGTI 3]

Well auto five are listing them at £40, which means pug (if they are still avaible) are probably £30

 

Not to sad?

[jamiej 0]

I think they are £59 from peugeot, if i have the right part ... decisions decisions. i think maybe a trip to the breakers is in order ... unless anyone is breaking one on here . . ..

[welshpug 1,655]

GSF do them, I think I paid under £30 each.

[jamiej 0]

Ok,

 

A couple more questions, to try and work out whether the compensator is at fault, do i need to atually remove the flexi hose or can i just undo the bleed nipple and see if it bleeds when stamping the brake pedal ?

 

The tested did not mention the handbrake operation as part of the test he just said that if i was to change the caliper that i needed to make sure that i didnt apply the handbrake before the caliper was fitted and snug to the disc otherwise it may mess things up ? sounds a bit odd to me but only relaying a message.

 

I found the part at GSF (thanks), is the part relatively easy to fit, i assume that a full system bleed will be required after fitting ?

 

thanks

[Anthony 1,002]

A couple more questions, to try and work out whether the compensator is at fault, do i need to atually remove the flexi hose or can i just undo the bleed nipple and see if it bleeds when stamping the brake pedal ?

Bleed nipple will be fine. A compensator that's failed "closed" will pass almost no fluid, hence the lack of caliper effort.

[Bassman 1]

Bleed nipple will be fine. A compensator that's failed "closed" will pass almost no fluid, hence the lack of caliper effort.

 

If you can get the bugger undone wihtout snapping it! Might be safer with the hose if you haven't loosened your nipples in a while.

[jamiej 0]

Righty,

 

I have sorted all the problems apart from this brake issue.

 

After following the advice from you guys, I attempted to remove the flexi hose from the caliper, problem is, as i undo it, it twists the flexi hose and then there comes a point where if i twist it any more its going to pull it out of the union (if you see what i mean). any ways around this?

 

Therefore tried the bleed nipple and ... guess what. SO ... i then tried to prove out the problem. The handbrake holds the brakes solid, the foot brake does next to nothing ... does that definately mean that the componsator is the issue ? or do i really need to get the union off to doube check.

 

Another question, I looking within the haynes book of lies and tried to locate the compensator ... no luck, can someone point me in the right direction.

 

Once i have found the compensatior, is it easy to replace (a kind member has offered me one) and also, if im going to keep breaking my nipples off how do i bleed the system after the replacement ...

 

Sorry for all the questions ... would love to have this done over the w/e.

 

Many many thanks

[Anthony 1,002]

Almost certainly the compensator at fault if the handbrake is fine.

 

The compensators are just in front of the fuel tank, one per side. They're about 10cm long and a sort of six-sided cylinder. If you can't find them, follow the brake lines from the front of the car back towards the fuel tank, and they're just after the pipe bends 90 degrees infront of the tank.

[jamiej 0]

merci,

 

any ideas about the post bleeding method ? is it neccessary ?

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

you can bleed out of the hoses if you really need to, personally id scrap the caliper and get a new one with a free nipple now you've snapped it. The best way is the right way.

[jamiej 0]

Hi Ed,

 

I fully appeciate that but like i said, it doesnt look as if i can get the hoses off without some issues. If i undo the fixing point on the caliper as the union undoes the flexi gets wound up and shortens to the point where its super tight and feels like the hose will snap or pull free from the union. Do i need to take the caliper off?

 

Also, if i need to bleed the system, there is fairly strong possibility that all the nipples will snap off ?! No ?

Edited July 10, 2009 by jamiej

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

Theres no doubt you will need to bleed the system. You always run the risk of bleed nipples snapping off, you could get a bit of heat on the calipers and go for it though.

[Anthony 1,002]

Hi Ed,

 

I fully appeciate that but like i said, it doesnt look as if i can get the hoses off without some issues. If i undo the fixing point on the caliper as the union undoes the flexi gets wound up and shortens to the point where its super tight and feels like the hose will snap or pull free from the union. Do i need to take the caliper off?

 

Also, if i need to bleed the system, there is fairly strong possibility that all the nipples will snap off ?! No ?

You need to remove the caliper (or undo the solid pipe join on the other end) to undo the flexi hose as there's no swivel on it as you've noticed. You'll probably have fun removing the handbrake cable if it's been fitted for a few years, as they corrode into the caliper body - careful use of a suitable punch and a hammer is the solution.

 

Rear caliper bleed nipples are notorious for snapping, but 1.9 GTi front calipers are generally fine.

 

If you get stuck, then I have some spare rear calipers with free bleed nipples - drop me a PM if you're interested.