Hi Guys,

First post here - as usual it's a "HELP!"

Quick Summary:

Roomster 3 '07 1.9TDI

Problem started a few weeks ago - the first time braking on any journey was as if the power assistance (or about half the brakes) wasn't working. After that seemed to be fine. This was when loads of snow/ice about so presumed something was freezing up, then clearing on first brake so no longer a problem.

Now the thaw has hit us and the problem still exists this is obviously not the case, so something else must be up. I think the problem is constant now as well as of yesterday. I have booked it in with dealer later in the week but in the meantime is there anything obvious that I should be looking for (dodgy electric connections, something that I can "loosen" with a hammer ;-)).

I still have some brakes, just a bit reminiscent of my old mini that had drums all round.

I had a quick look around it yesterday and tried to wash all the salt off but no difference.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me!

Macclesfield Roomy owner.

Hi Guys,

First post here - as usual it's a "HELP!"

Quick Summary:

Roomster 3 '07 1.9TDI

Problem started a few weeks ago - the first time braking on any journey was as if the power assistance (or about half the brakes) wasn't working. After that seemed to be fine. This was when loads of snow/ice about so presumed something was freezing up, then clearing on first brake so no longer a problem.

Now the thaw has hit us and the problem still exists this is obviously not the case, so something else must be up. I think the problem is constant now as well as of yesterday. I have booked it in with dealer later in the week but in the meantime is there anything obvious that I should be looking for (dodgy electric connections, something that I can "loosen" with a hammer ;-)).

I still have some brakes, just a bit reminiscent of my old mini that had drums all round.

I had a quick look around it yesterday and tried to wash all the salt off but no difference.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me!

Macclesfield Roomy owner.

MIne does this after being washed. Try getting some serious heat in them as the pads may have just been glazed or carrying some debris. If it was an electrical/system issue the fault would be shown on the dash so maybe you do need the codes read but I reckon an itallian tune up might be the way forward.

yep i had a similar issue during the snow, i found if before starting off i put my foot to the floor on the brakes i was ok, it was as though something was sticking in the servo or callipers in the cold

i also get a bit of grinding the first braking each day, i have assumed this to be clearing the thin film of rust of the disks that forms if damp

peter

Edited 17 January, 201016 yr by bluecar1

Discussed here also

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/120203-brake-fail/page__st__20

Thanks for your help guys,

From reading the link posted above (thanks decron, did a search before posting but failed to bring that one up) it sounds like maybe the servo pipe thing, although there could be an element of the discs etc being a bit crapped up - understandably not been braking aggressively lately. Actually I generally try and avoid doing that anyway - pass me the trilby I'll be needing it later ;-). I get the feeling a tune-up is wasted on me.

I'll bung it in the garage anyway - tried to get a wheel off when was looking at cleaning the brakes and couldn't shift it, think they've mixed the salt up here with superglue!

cheers again.

Quick update. Tried a bit of emergency stopping, seems to make some difference. Was planning to check the servo hose for leaks etc today but on the way to work I now have the ABS light on...timeto get some codes read I think!

have just ordered the new vacuum pipe with the non return valve in it and front pads

the pipe looks a fun job as not a lot of room round the back of the engine, we will see

will let you know how it goes,

can let you know the part numbers and cost later if anyone wants it

peter

well, have just fitted the vacum pipe and new front pads, and what a pain in the rear

the pads are not to bad,

two bolts each side, only passenger side inboard has a wear sensor

the vacuum pipe is another matter, fun getting off the vacuum pump, but caution the servo end

on the servo end you can't reach to pull the pipe out the servo

i used a bit of string round the pipe twice, slid it down to the elbow and pulled it out that way, worked a treat

except i broke one of the pipes off the vacuum unit (oh bugg3r)

so it would seem a good idea to undo the two clips and withdraw the front off the vacuum unit

have sort of glued it back together temporary to get to work tonight, now have to get a new bit

do not know yet if it has fixed the braking issues, will update again later

peter

have just ordered the new vacuum pipe with the non return valve in it and front pads

the pipe looks a fun job as not a lot of room round the back of the engine, we will see

will let you know how it goes,

can let you know the part numbers and cost later if anyone wants it

peter

do not know yet if it has fixed the braking issues, will update again later

peter

update

just driven 200 miles to birmingham from kent

brakes are far better than they ever have been, even allowing for the fact of new pads not bedded in, the effort to stop the car is far less than before, less pedal travel before the brakes start to bite and a far more reassuring feel to them

the only thing i noted was the passenger side caliper took a lot of effort initially to retract, but after a couple of mm it was fine, so wonder if i had a partially siezed piston in that caliper, but the pad wear was even between all 4 pads so not sure

just got to see if it has cured the intermittent loss of assistance on the brakes now, should know in a few das as it was getting very regular the last week or so

peter

nearly 700 miles later (yep do a lot of miles) no more hard pedal / poor assistance issues (it was happening very frequent) and the cost of the bit i broke was not to bad just under £40

so fixed the intermittent loss of assistance, got grazed knuckles and and extra £40 bill , not to bad then

peter