Brake problem

Admiral Huddy · 21 Feb 2011 at 14:34

When driving the family car yesterday I noticed an intermittent problem with the brakes. After gently applying the brakes at around 40 mph with plenty of time to stop, the car only just carried on stopping just in time.. The brakes only felt 50% responsive.. like someone had put something under the pedal. The first time I thought it was me, maybe catching the pedal wrong but the second time much later in the day was when I coming off the A12 and I thought I was disappearing up some ones back side.. It's a really odd feeling. I've stopped using the car and booked it in Wednesday.. but I'm wondering (being an intermittent problem) and hoping th the garage will pick it up. Just wondered of any of you could give me a few pointers before hand.

Thanks

Scythe · 21 Feb 2011 at 14:43

Checked the brake pads and brake hydraulic fluid? Start at the basics first. Could be a hydraulic leak.

Admiral Huddy · 21 Feb 2011 at 15:17

Scythe said:
Checked the brake pads and brake hydraulic fluid? Start at the basics first. Could be a hydraulic leak.

Pads look fine and the fluid level is normal. Was only fully serviced and MOT'd 2 months ago.

Dogbreath · 21 Feb 2011 at 15:34

Was the ABS operating prematurely?

Admiral Huddy · 21 Feb 2011 at 16:29

Dogbreath said:
Was the ABS operating prematurely?

this was my thinking?

Matt82 · 21 Feb 2011 at 16:47

servo vac issue, at a guess

Gaverick · 21 Feb 2011 at 22:17

Sounds like a servo vacuum problem to me, did you find yourself having to press the pedal very hard to get it to stop?

Admiral Huddy · 22 Feb 2011 at 08:41

Gaverick said:
Sounds like a servo vacuum problem to me, did you find yourself having to press the pedal very hard to get it to stop?

Yes - very but as i said, it's very irregular.. Is it an expensive replacement or job to rectify? Obviosly, it needs doing.. but just so i know.

Matt82 · 22 Feb 2011 at 08:46

servo replacement could be dear, but id wager its just an issue with the vacuum hose or a hose connection.

matthab · 22 Feb 2011 at 08:47

Yeh sounds like a lose fitting on the Vacum pipe. Ive had it happen on my old Clio. Not a nice feeling.

Admiral Huddy · 22 Feb 2011 at 09:07

ratface said:
What car is it

Leaking brake servo pipe usually causes engine running issue, fluctuating idle etc

ABS pump/ecu or wheel sensor failure is possible

4 year old 2.0 TDi Galaxy Ghia

Dogbreath · 22 Feb 2011 at 09:22

Admiral Huddy said:
this was my thinking?

Well I was asking you if it was

Could you hear or feel the pedal vibrating, or was it just a very hard, solid pedal that simply didn't do much? If the latter then servo/vacuum pipe fault is most likely.

Admiral Huddy · 22 Feb 2011 at 11:42

It's very hard to press.

The problem with intermittent problems is that sods law it won't happen whilst in test.. so you've given me something to go on..

Thanks all

Admiral Huddy · 23 Feb 2011 at 19:49

Hi

Car just came back from garage and they came up with the same as what most you suggested.. servo vac or servo ?? The pipe appears to be ok.

However, the engineer said it's difficult to determine which is at fault although he did say it's more likey to be the Servo vac than the servo

Cost for servo vac = £450+vat and the servo £500 + vat + fitting

Not what i wanted to hear.. He said to change the servo vac first see if that works.

Would you agree with this?

edit - just found this on Galaxy Owners Forums

If i remember correctly a way of testing the servo is with the engine not running pump brake pedal until hard then with foot still pressing on pedal start engine if servo is working pedal should move towards floor an inch or so.

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php?showtopic=7296

Someone else with same problem:

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php?showtopic=18401&st=0

Admiral Huddy · 23 Feb 2011 at 20:21

Right just tried it.. Pumped brake for a minute, switced engine on whilst foot on brake. Brake pedal went down an inch..

This means it's the vac not the servo right?

Admiral Huddy · 24 Feb 2011 at 07:53

can anyone confirm?

Matt82 · 24 Feb 2011 at 08:28

not sure about any of that.

id remove the vac line from the manifold, apply vacuum and see if it could maintain that vacuum

the garage should be able to figure it out

Admiral Huddy · 29 Mar 2011 at 11:17

Sorry to rejuvenate this thread, but I'm having a few problems and don't know where to turn:

I had instructed my local garage to replace the Servo Vac/Pump upon their inspection on 21st February and the part has been on order with Ford since then. It appears that Ford are having problems finding the part and they have said it's unlikely the part will be available.

The garage have tried looking for alternative parts but to no avail.

The car is still in use but only for essential trips. The garage have passed the car as safe but a few incidents have occurred which have only been avoided by my wifes quick thinking. I have now told her not to use the car.

So I'm stuck with a car that i can't use, repair or sell.

I just wondered if any of you could make any suggestions. We've only had the car just over a year so no warranty, not that would have helped in this case.

Thanks

Huddy