urgent help rqd...brake pedal keeps going hard

[polty]

can any one pls help i have recently bought a 2.7td maverick.
the problem i have is my brake pedal keeps going hard as if the servo has packed up whilst driving. i appreciate it could be vacum pump on altenator or servo. i have had vacum pipe off whilst running and it seems to suck well, were do i go from here. fords were not very helpfull

 

[scooter]

bleed brakes it sounds like dirt or grit has got in to the line somewhere i would do a brake fluid replacement that was what was wrong with my last car

 

[polty]

thanx

not good need new bleed nipples due too corrosion taking over and previous owners not really looking after underneath of truck...but thank you any way

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

you could try servicing the calipers as well, cleaning and greasing the sliders and checking pads and discs, it may not have anyhting to do with your problem but at least that way you can rule it out.

 

[ronypony]

Does your Mav have abs ?

This happened to me with another vehicle (not a Mav) that had abs.
The brake pedal went very hard..almost impossible to depress...on investigation it turned out to be a loose connection on the abs pump/unit.

The pump was not operating resulting in no pressure from pump whatsoever.

If your truck does have abs check all electrical connections to pump..having said all this you would of course be getting warning lights on dash...i.e. the abs and parking lights would be on constantly.

If you dont have abs then I would reckon a problem with the brake servo as you have suggested yourself.

 

[polty]

investigations reveal

after taking osr wheel and drum off wheel cylinder leaking into rubber so two on order from http://www.brakesint.co.uk/index.html good prices from what ive found so far....

 

[grizzler]

Obviously thats a fault,but I dont think its the fault that your looking for,I would still go for the servo.
Does the car still brake when pedal goes hard or does it affect the braking.Does it still pull up in a straight line.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

get the obvoius things fixed first if i were you then try it again, the cylinder is a good place to start

 

[polty]

changed wheel cylinders

changed cylinders made no differance and yes when pedal goes hard i practically loose all brakeing i had to blip the throttle to get any kind of pedal back how this car passed an mot i will never know also what is lsd and why when one side of car is lifted the back wheel will not turn but when complete back end in the air both wheels spin the same direction?????

 

[andrewk]

Re: changed wheel cylinders

what is lsd and why when one side of car is lifted the back wheel will not turn but when complete back end in the air both wheels spin the same direction?????

It's good that both wheels turn in the same direction - though you should be able to move a wheel when one side is lifted, if you try hard enough. It proves that you do have a limited slip differential (LSD) and that it's working (at least to some degree). The lsd will help you keep going when you lose traction on one of the rear wheels.

I used to have an Isuzu Trooper and it had a LSD. I didn't really notice its action until I changed motors. I bought a Nissan Patrol, which I love - but it doesn't have a LSD - so, if ever I park with two wheels on a soft verge and try to set off quickly, I get a lot of wheelspin. The Trooper I had (and your Maverick) would spin a rear wheel a little then give me a kick up the back and just set off. It feels as though there's been a bit of wheelspin and that you've just got some grip. What has actually happened is that the LSD has locked the differential so that both rear wheels rotate together and it's the wheel still on tarmac that has had torque transferred to it and has moved you forward. The vacuum operated rear locker on the Patrol is ultimately more capable offroad, but your LSD is more useful on road. It'll be great in snow, for example, if we ever have any.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

as far as your Mot goes as lng as your brakes meet the required efficiency when tested that is that, strange i know, but all they have to do is work.