Hard Brake Pedal With Binding Brakes

[jonew]

Hi guys, I own a 2.3 2001 galaxy.

Recently the brake pedal went hard and it felt like the handbrake was stuck on.

I replaced the rear pads and checked calipers, sliders and handbrake etc.

after a few days the problem came back but its intermittent, the brakes no longer bind but the pedal goes hard.

 

Ive checked the servo vacuum hose and it looks ok, anything else I can check or should I just replace the hose?.

 

Any help appreciated

[chrispb123456]

Check the pipe for splits and cracks especially at the ends, as regards brakes sticking on intermittently check make sure the fluid reservoir is not overfull

[jonew]

Fluid level is normal..

Should I just be looking at the vacuum pipe from the servo?.

Or looking at other things too?.

Servo seems ok after doing the test.

[chrispb123456]

Yes the vacuum pipe, it's usually the ends that split but may also be collapsed.

[jonew]

So im a little confused which vacuum pipe im looking at.. fraud said its the one under the brake pedal, I found a vacuum from pedal to T peice then it disappears up into the dash. It goes through the bulk head then I cant find it.

So are these the vacuum pipes or is it the one from servo to manifold area?.

[chrispb123456]

Yes the large black plastic pipe from servo to inlet manifold under bonnet.

[jonew]

Just to update, ive inspected all vacuum hoses with nothing out the ordinary found. I have noticed a lack of power when the brake hardens, no faster than 50mph at a struggle.. I stop the car pump the pedal, re start and all is ok again...

Should I just replace the hose from servo to manifold?.

[Heather2408]

I've came across other vehicles with similar problems and found the rubber flexi hoses at the calipers had collapsed internally, this causes them to act as a one way valve and stopping the fluid to return quickly enough and then can cause the brakes to bind and give a hard pedal, then when left alone the fluid slowly returns and brakes feel fine again.

Would be worth jacking car up and pumping brake pedal a few times and then checking to see how easily the wheel spins by hand before and after to try and identify which wheels are sticking then open the bleed nipple on any affected wheel to see if it frees off

[jonew]

Hi all,

Finally found some time to remove the servo pipe. Couldn't find any splits, holes or cracks. Return valve I can hear opening n closing.

So just to re cap, pedal hardens with loss of power and rear brakes binding, switch off ignition n pump pedal 3-4 times then hold whilst restarting which results in pedal dropping and re brakes unsticking and my power back to normal..

 

So do I go ahead and replace pipe and valve?.

Btw rear brakes have been checked n no faults found.