Club 80-90 Forums

ive just been out in the van and noticed my brakes felt a bit strange , they stop the van ok but when stopped the pedal travels to the floor if firm pressure is applied , could this be the master cylinder ? cheers jeff

Hi
If you physically can't see a fluid leak and the resevoir isn't going down, then the creep is almost definately due to master cylinder seal failure.
Air in the system would give a very spongy feel which doesn't sound like you describe.
Might be worth checking your flexi hoses for ballooning but again not as likely as the master cylinder.


Martin

hi martin thanks for the reply i'll check again today im pretty sure i could hear a sort of gurgling noise from behind the instrument pod as i pumped the pedal last night ?

If this were in a garage they would put it on a ramp and have one person pressing hard on the pedal whilst the mechanic uses his lamp to inspect underneath....he would be looking for ballooning flexi pipes, wet rear backplates which are a tell tail sign of leaking rear wheel cyinders, corroded/leaking metal brake pipes, leaking brake compensator, leaking caliper seals.,,,all of which leave visable signs.

Another possibility is the master cylinder leaking into the brake servo....which is turn gets sucked into the engine (on petrol engine variants) but like I say, the resevoir fluid level would be going down if this were the case.

Bottom line.....no leaks, no external fluid loss, no drop in fluid level, no ballooning (starting with a firm pedal but slowly creeping down) = master cylinder seal failure.

Martin