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Nov 19, 2011 21:10:54 GMT
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I've just bought a Corsa B. It's like new, 56k and little-old-lady owned. It's only done 6k in the last 6 years!
Anyway... The brakes are powerful enough and it brakes in a straight line but the pedal has a lot of travel before anything happens, I thought it was going to the floor first time I braked.
Am i right in thinking this can be down to seized adjusters in the drums? ie stopping the lack from being taken up and leaving the shoes a long way from the drum.
The handbrake feels fine and doesn't have excessive travel.
Are there any other things that can cause this? The pedal is firm when it actually brakes so I don't think there's air in it.
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Nov 19, 2011 21:23:35 GMT
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if it is drums all round you are on the right track with seized adjusters. Alternatively it may be that there is no adjustment left (adjusted right up) because the linings are worn.
Either way I would have the drums off and investigate.
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Low brake pedalDeleted
@Deleted
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Nov 19, 2011 21:28:17 GMT
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really easy way to find where the problem lies.... get yourself some decent flexible hose clamps and clamp ALL the hoses on the car, on an older car it will be both front wheels and one to the rear axle (I know you got a corsa but there are others on here with older cars) on yours its probably one for each wheel. with all four clamped the pedal should be like its made of stone with little or next to no movement.. then simply remove the clamps one by one retrying the pedal each time till you find which brake makes the biggest difference.. and that wheel is where the problem probably is.. if of course the pedal is still low then it could be the master cylinder (good idea to pump teh pedal a few times before you start to clear the vaccun out the servo as this can falsify readings) actual mechanical causes of a low pedal can be as simple as adjusters that havent adjusted up (does the handbrake being on IMPROVE pedal travel at all ??) it can also be cause dby a flexible pipe failing and ballooning when you press the pedal so might be worth getting a friend to stomp pedal whilst you examine the flexis hope this is of some help  |
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Nov 19, 2011 22:01:22 GMT
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I've just been out and tried the pedal with the handbrake on and off. I'm just sat on the drive, not been for a drive, but it seems pretty much the same whatever I do with the handbrake.
I'm going to change the fluid anyway so I'll bleed it all, take the drums off and check the adjusters and see where that leaves me. It's definitely not right at the moment.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Low brake pedalChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Nov 20, 2011 15:59:16 GMT
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The clamping method stated above will help you to narrow down the cause.
Your low pedal could also be down to a very knackered brake servo but this would be obvious with you hearing a leak.
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309jazzpanda
Part of things
so its just my pug thats rotten?
Posts: 92
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Nov 20, 2011 17:47:34 GMT
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corsa b extremely common handbrake cables seize in the runners on the rear axle. prob 99% of corsa's fail mots for this reason. pop a rear wheel off and check you can pull the cable. defo do your brake fluid made a massive difference on my 205
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1990 309 "the pig"
1993 205 gtx "mummra"
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bl1300
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,678
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Nov 20, 2011 20:36:15 GMT
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This is a common issue on corsa bs. The adjusters don't adjust due to seized handbrake cables.
whip the rear wheels and drums off. Clean the shoes and drums and pull the shoes apart a few clicks. 1 or 2 is normally enough. Refit drums if there tight back the shoes of one click.
Also pump the pedal a few times with the ignition off it should firm right up then turn the key with your foot on the brake. The pedal should drop indicating that the servo is functioning
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Current fleet.
1967 DAF 44
1974 VW Beetle 1303s
1975 Triumph Spitfire MkIV
1988 VW LT45 Beavertail
1998 Volvo V70 2.5
1959 Fordson Dexta
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Nov 23, 2011 21:48:21 GMT
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I've stripped and cleaned the adjusters. The whole lot looks like new, and it's had new handbrake cables recently too. I cleaned and greased the corner piece that the cable runs over. Before putting it back together I took the (tiny) lip off the edge of the drum and adjusted the shoes right up. I've also changed the brake fluid.
And it still has the same low pedal!
No leaks from the servo and plenty of power when it does brake. Pedal doesn't feel soft and there was no air in the system when bleeding. Front brakes and hoses are all fine too.
Any more ideas?
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md
Part of things
Posts: 839
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Nov 23, 2011 22:40:13 GMT
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checked if the flexi pipes are in good nick?
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Low brake pedalChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Nov 23, 2011 23:17:53 GMT
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That would be my next course of action (flexi pipes). Clamp them off as suggested and see what happens.
Otherwisse I would say a master cylinder but this is normally accompanied by other symptoms (a pump or two brings the pedal back up as well as an iffy feeling pedal (verging on being spongy) in addition to other things (fluid leak in the servo or dribbling outside).
What happens when you push the pedal a couple of times after the engine has turned off?
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,790
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Low brake pedalDez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
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also have you checked if its brake pedal free-play, or actual master cyl travel? if someones been in there before it could be a badly adjusted or worn pedal linkage giving the travel- half a mil wear on the clevis pin/bolt can be 25mm at the actual pedal.
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309jazzpanda
Part of things
so its just my pug thats rotten?
Posts: 92
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Nov 24, 2011 14:12:06 GMT
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also check your front brakes had a 3 series with a sh*t pedal until you pumped it. pad was seized in its carrier pushing the cylinder back fractionally put felt like miles at the pedal.
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1990 309 "the pig"
1993 205 gtx "mummra"
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