brakes issue

1. awt2003 Newbie Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 5

   #1 30th March 2008, 02:41

   hi there,
   
   having a problem with my brakes on my saxo diesel, when applying the brakes there is an excess travel before any braking takes hold.
   
   I have also noticed that sometimes when i reapply, the brakes work as normal, the same is happening with the handbrake which is leading me to believe it may be the rear brakes are not working properly????
   
   any suggestions would be appreciated along with a ball park figure of the repair costs to get this sorted, this has been going on since november but MOT time is near so i want it out the way before its due as it may flag up on the test
   
   thanks
   
   tony
2. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

   #2 30th March 2008, 09:43

   If the braking is still suffice, you should be fine for an MOT.
   
   So are you saying that if you pump the brakes, then the travel disappears?
   
   Check your brake fluid level, and it might pay to get the system bled. It would take a garage just a few minutes to do this...
3. Mark51p Super Moderator Joined: Sep 2006 Wakefield Posts: 14427 Golf GT

   #3 30th March 2008, 09:56

   it will need bleeding mate, you could try putting a better quality brake fluid in aswell
4. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #4 30th March 2008, 13:08

   As a precaution look (if there drum brakes)at the back plates on the rear wheels & see if there is any brake fluid seeping out.
   
   Steve.
5. awt2003 Newbie Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 5

   #5 30th March 2008, 13:14

   hi there thanks for the replies, i have tried bleeding them on a few occasions but to no success, was told by a mate it could be a badly adjusted rear shoes??
   
   has anyone came across this?
   
   tony
6. awt2003 Newbie Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 5

   #6 30th March 2008, 15:52

   hi there seems to be no sign of brake fluid loss at the back at all
   
   tony
7. saxojohn22 Regular Poster Joined: Mar 2008 nuneaton Posts: 284 2003 saxo mk2 vtr

   #7 30th March 2008, 17:29

   being a diesel it could be a knackered vacuum pump as they dont use vacuum off the inlet like petrols cause there is no throttle to create vacuum, or it culd be a leaking pipe from the vacuum pump to servo. failing these i would say it is the master cylinder seal perished or rear cylinder leaking which will require removing the drums to inspect
   hope this helps
8. awt2003 Newbie Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 5

   #8 30th March 2008, 21:58

   getting it checked this week so i'll get back to you on the results
   
   thanks for the advice!
   
   tony