Brake Problems Mkii

[richyrich]

After having replaced front pads/discs and even calipers my brakes were still not as good as I thought they should be,

Looking around I was inspired by a post by Andymet some time ago about the hard plastic pipe connection, with a non return valve, from the vacuum pipe to the master brake servo.

Not exactly the easiest of things to do but started this morning, found split where pipe connects to 90degree elbow on master cylinder, ordered from Ford, collected at 4pm, fitted and back on the road by 5 30.

Difference is unbelievable - can stop on a sixpence now(well - nearly!)

 

This forum is the best - unbelievable amount of help and knowledge shared = problems solved = money saved = happy days :-)

 

Richyrich 

[xavier]

Thanks for reporting back Richy, any top tips or guidance for doing the job, or anything to look out for that might indicate it needs done?

[richyrich]

Thing to look out for - brakes start to work but then pedal is hard and you have to really press to get yourself to stop!

 

To do the job is just a matter of getting everything out of the way -

1. Unplug Maf sensor, remove air filter box and next section of pipe completely  This will give you better access to the master cylinder.

2. Remove rubber splash guard thingy, undo 3 bolts and remove tray under wiper assembly

3. remove air pipes(2 sections) on the right of the engine(the air to the egr valve/intake manifold) after unplugging the sensor - this will give you access to the pipe connection on the vacuum pump

4. Remove the heat shield by unscrewing 2 funny type of nuts(at the top each corner) - then skillfully manouvre out of the way - or demolish it by ripping it out, its only thin ally. By the way, this was the hardest thing to put back as a litle slit at the bottom locates on a little metal bracket.

5. Vacuum pipe has just one clip fitted just under bottom of all the stuff behind the heat shield.

6. Carefully and skillfully pull out the pipe (after disconnected from either end) from the battery side taking note of where the pipe is routed.

7. A new vacuum pipe is Ford 1357764 for 40 pounds approx. Don't try to repair this type of pipe - it's hard plastic and probably has a number of years life before it gets brittle.

8. Take note that there is a blanking cap on one of the connections on the non return valve - you will have to carefully prise it off to reuse or get another one

9. Carefully feed new pipe in from battery side  - reconnect both ends and you're done!

 

All that remains is to refit everything in reverse order.

The non return valve needs to be in good working order and the the vacuum reservoir(the big black ball on the front of the engine) + piping all needs to be intact for all this to work okay

 

Hope this is helpful to anyone. I'm available if anyone needs any help - or me to do the job for them! (Northants area)

 

Rich.