Hello all,

 

I'm new to the forum...

 

MK1 Fabia VRS

 

Over the last few weeks I have been experiencing braking issues. The symptoms are as follows:

 

Car returning 20-30 MPG

Car feels like it is dragging

If you pull up to a junction the brakes seem to be on as the car will stay still without the need for the handbrake

Car will slow down fairly fast when you lift your foot off the throttle

Brakes hot after even a short journey

Front drivers side and rear passenger side pads have been almost completely worn down

When brakes are binding, pressing the pedal feels hard as the brakes are already engaged

When brakes aren't binding sometimes the pedal feels softer than it should

 

The car has had:

 

Two brand new genuine calipers on the front, Fitted by myself and a friend - we bled the front brakes using VCDS to run the ABS pump.

One off-brand caliper on the rear (EuroCarParts jobby) This was fitted by a garage.

 

If you slam on the brakes the car still stops bloody fast and I have had the braking forces measured by a garage on some MOT rollers and they are still putting out good force.

 

The car has been the garage twice and each time the car has felt good for a day then the issue has come back, it was the same when we fitted the new front calipers. The car was mint for a day then the next day when driving to work the issue has come back.

 

VAC hoses all appear to be air tight - no splits, etc.

 

The car passes the servo test (car off, pump pedal until hard and then start engine with foot on pedal - it sinks a few inches as expected).

 

Could this still be air in the ABS system? (Despite us running the pump then rebleeding)

Could this be master cylinder?

Could this be brake servo failure?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm at my wits end with these brakes. Want to know for sure before I send it to the garage for a servo, etc as it will be big money.

 

Cheers,

 

Kev

I don't think it will be air anywhere,as air in a brake system will compress easier than the fluid so would never push the brakes on,you would have a spongey/sinking pedal with air in it.

Can you try blanking off the vacuum feed pipe to the servo?

Sounds like a servo issue to me. Get the brakes hot and have the vehicle on level ground. Can you roll the vehicle? If there is resistance pop the vacuum hose off the servo and see if it moves.

Simply disconnect the servo as the guys have said, there is a non-return valve inline which is a good place to pull it.

You seem to suggest only two wheels are binding. Are they on a common circuit? ( Assuming dual cct brakes). I once had an odd problem on an alfa where bits of rubber had been shed on inside of a flexible creating a form of one way valve which, in your case, would be holding one circuit on after you have released brakes.

Could be the handbrake mech not releasing on the rear callipers. Get underneath the rear and spray plenty of lubricant on the handbrake mech the try to move it backwards and forwards you may need a lever bar.

Edited 2 January, 201610 yr by theezenutz

I got a complete set front and back refurbed callipers coming off monday painted in the vrs green forsale

You seem to suggest only two wheels are binding. Are they on a common circuit? ( Assuming dual cct brakes). I once had an odd problem on an alfa where bits of rubber had been shed on inside of a flexible creating a form of one way valve which, in your case, would be holding one circuit on after you have released brakes.

+1

Had brake servo replaced by Skoda and it fixed the issue. Luckily I had an AutoTrust warranty from when I first bought the vehicle so they cover the cost!

,

Edited 24 February, 201610 yr by Skodub

Could be the handbrake mech not releasing on the rear callipers. Get underneath the rear and spray plenty of lubricant on the handbrake mech the try to move it backwards and forwards you may need a lever bar.

It could be the handbrake cables are set too tight and the rear brakes are binding slightly.

Remove the little plastic coin holder at the rear of the centre console between the front seats( follow back from handbrake) . Put the car in 1St gear to stop it rolling and let off the handbrake.

You will see the two handbrake cables going to the rear of the car, fwd of these is a 10mm adjustable nut where the two cables join. Adjust these turning the nut anti clock wise until there is slight slack in the cables and Handbrake itself.

Try this first as it doesn't cost a penny, will take you 10 minutes max.

Edited 25 February, 201610 yr by chris-H

Hi, did you ever  manage to solve this problem.

      I have exactly the same problem.

Any help would be gratefully accepted.

Terry W 

On 23/02/2016 at 18:50, kvarley said:

Had brake servo replaced by Skoda and it fixed the issue. Luckily I had an AutoTrust warranty from when I first bought the vehicle so they cover the cost!

 

The answer is right there...