Weak Brakes - So Need Advice

[eastlondonpug 6]

Hello

 

I have a problem ever since I purchased my car 6 years ago but never got a chance to fully sorting it. Let me explain.The brakes on my car never felt strong, even by 1980's standards. It always felt that they were very under powered and too much lacking in feel. The MC is a correct unit and all calipers are standard and original. I do not do any trackdays or anything like that, just some daily driving and occasional b roads. i have driven some other 205's as well and the brakes on all seemed like modern units.

 

Almost 4 years ago, my brakes had failed when I was driving and luckily I was on a quiet street. The pedal went all the way down with no braking. I replaced the master cylinder at the time for a Bendix unit and bled the brakes. This sorted the problem and the brakes regained their power, became very strong and the pedal feel improved drastically. Unfortunately, after about 3-4 days, the brakes then weakened again and have the same weak brakes problem since that time as before (although the car stops and drives ok). The brakes have been bled many times after that and it is no use.

 

The discs and pads were replaced 2 years ago and are in very good condition. I have once again visually inspected all brake lines etc this weekend and there is no visible sign of a leakage. The brake line that underneath the fuel tank is also in good condition as was replaced around 5 years ago, so no rust on that.

 

The MOT person said that the brakes were fine according to his readings the last time. But I know that the brakes have a problem despite his readings.

 

Can someone please help me understand what would be the next course of action. Would it make sense to probably replace the brake compensators? Do faulty compensators develop a problem as I have described? Or would it be a case of rebuilding all calipers? Or would this be something else? Ideally I want to avoid rebuilding the calipers if possible and leave that as a last option.

 

Just so you know, the car is a year 1988, 1.9 with discs all round.

 

Thank you

Edited February 9, 2015 by eastlondonpug

[jackherer 543]

What does the pedal feel like? If you press it down hard does it stop firmly or does it continue going down?

 

The MOT requirement isn't very high, as long as the brakes are relatively balanced left to right they will pass even if they are fairly weak.

[eastlondonpug 6]

The pedal does stop firmly at a point and does not go all the way down.

 

Brake feel is terrible, its like brakes are just working at 50% capacity.

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

Could it be a servo problem? I am wondering if the problem could be the seal between the master cylinder and servo. If this is damaged then you won't get the vacuum assistance.

[eastlondonpug 6]

When the MC was removed last year for some engine work, the seal/gasket seemed ok visually. Shall I just replace the seal if I can find another one?

[Slo 283 1 Cars]

If it was a servo problem the pedal would be harder to press and same s*it brakes, sounds like rear adjusters want nipping up to me.

[welshpug 1,656]

1.9 with discs, no adjusters.

[Slo 283 1 Cars]

oh balls so it is, didnt see that

[105e 1]

Well known road going brake pads ??

[allye 530 3 Cars]

Pointing towards the servo assistance in my opinion.

[eastlondonpug 6]

Regarding the servo assistance, I was just thinking that if the servo assistance went bad then the pedal would surely be hard I am guessing as Slo has also mentioned?

 

It would be good to get this sorted as I did a search on the forums and many others had very similar problems to myself without any definitive conclusion to this issue.

 

Thanks

[Slo 283 1 Cars]

Does it have a rod adjuster in the servo, the part that pushes on the master cylinder itself.

 

Are all your copper pipes secured? They can bow and give play if not rigid.

[eastlondonpug 6]

Yes there was a rod adjustment in the servo. It never been tampered with. Point is, as mentioned above when I had replaced the master cylinder the brakes were proper and strong for 2-3 days then reverted back to being rubbish. This probably suggests another problem with the system and not the adjustment itself.

 

All hard lines are secure as far as I can see.

[dcc 855]

sounds like the seal on the servo