Hi all, I've had a wet drivers footwell for a few weeks and then yesterday after alot of stop start traffic my brake pedal has gone almost completely soft when depressed. I'm pretty much on the floor to get the van to stop.
I haven't changed the brake fluid, so let's assume it's knackered.
Is it likely to just be a leaking/failed master cylinder or should I be looking behind the wheels? It was in for MOT last week which was very thorough and nothing was picked up regarding the brakes.
Soft as hell break pedal!
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- chuckle-bus-tom
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Soft as hell break pedal!
1986 2.1DJ on carb. panel van/Reimo camper / 1991 2.1MV Swedish syncro doka
Re: Soft as hell break pedal!
Check your front brake pads for excessive wear, and re-top your brake fluid just behind the dash for a start.
Sorry I can't help with anything else this is my limit
Sorry I can't help with anything else this is my limit

Living in Kilmarnock, proud owner of a vw t25 with a PETROL ENGINE .
- marlinowner
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Re: Soft as hell break pedal!
When I had a soft pedal but no fluid loss on my kitcar, it was the master cylinder. After a few days it failed completely, which was rather alarming as it has single circuit brakes...
1993 SA VW T25/T3 2.5i Microbus/homebrew camper
1981/1968 Marlin Kitcar TR6 Engine
1981/1968 Marlin Kitcar TR6 Engine
- itchyfeet
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Re: Soft as hell break pedal!
if you have a wet floor then surely this is brake fluid leaking from master cylinde, check where it's coming from, easy to look up under the dash, maybe a switch leaking.
Don't drive it.
Don't drive it.
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
itchylinks
itchylinks
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Re: Soft as hell break pedal!
Thanks all!
I've had a snoop and it's coming out of the top of the cylinder behind the pedals. The break pedal is simply pumping fluid out.
I've had a snoop and it's coming out of the top of the cylinder behind the pedals. The break pedal is simply pumping fluid out.
1986 2.1DJ on carb. panel van/Reimo camper / 1991 2.1MV Swedish syncro doka
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Re: Soft as hell break pedal!
Check my post regarding brake fade in Wheels and Tyres 2 days ago. That might help too.
- itchyfeet
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Re: Soft as hell break pedal!
chuckle-bus-tom wrote:Thanks all!
I've had a snoop and it's coming out of the top of the cylinder behind the pedals. The break pedal is simply pumping fluid out.
picture with something pointing to exactly where?
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
itchylinks
itchylinks
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Re: Soft as hell break pedal!
itchyfeet wrote:chuckle-bus-tom wrote:Thanks all!
I've had a snoop and it's coming out of the top of the cylinder behind the pedals. The break pedal is simply pumping fluid out.
picture with something pointing to exactly where?
I haven't taken a picture yet, but it's the clutch master cylinder that's pissing fluid. Am I right in thinking that within the cab area it's all one system? So if the clutch master cylinder is leaking then pressure from the brake pedal would be gone? I'm not having any problems selecting gears though, although I rarely get beyond second.

It's looking like a bigger job, and although I generally undertake all work myself I think I'm going to get a garage onto this and to just sort the whole braking system. I bought the van 5 years ago and put it to work right away. I use the van daily, and do service regularly but have always given the brakes a miss. This, is foolish so off to the professionals he goes
1986 2.1DJ on carb. panel van/Reimo camper / 1991 2.1MV Swedish syncro doka