Brake issue

[Benj]

Hi guys,

I've got a 2006 X Type 2.0d. I've had a continuous issue with the brakes making a sort of loud 'honking' noise when I brake, coming from the back. Recently it has been a bit more continuous when reversing.

However yesterday I found that my brake pedal would be hard to push down when driving and rock solid when stopped. After a while it'll go back down, but after braking 3-4 times it'll be rock solid again. It got worse today and then my engine management light came on earlier. Also, when the engine is off it'll be rock solid, then if I push my foot down hard on the pedal and start the engine, it doesn't go down at all.

I'm presuming its a servo issue, but does anyone else have an idea before I take it to a garage? 

Thanks!

[JOE-DOT-COM]

hi

sounds like the servo, there is a rubber diaphragm in there that fails, but the whole unit has to be replaced

if you press the brakes a few times with the engine off, the pedal should be hard and high up

if you hold your foot on it and start the car, you should feel it drop

there's a pipe from the servo to the engine, on yours because its a diesel, it will go to some type of vacuum pump, theres a little valve in that line, a non return valve, make sure this pipe is all intact, no breaks or cracks

if you pull the pipe out of the servo, there should be vacuum, a sucking noise as you pull it off, with this pipe off and the engine running there should be suction on this pipe, some servos have sensors on as well, so if the pipe has broke or no suction on the servo, can cause a fault code aswell

I check this pipe first

cheers

Joe

[Benj]

4 hours ago, JOE-DOT-COM said:

hi

sounds like the servo, there is a rubber diaphragm in there that fails, but the whole unit has to be replaced

if you press the brakes a few times with the engine off, the pedal should be hard and high up

if you hold your foot on it and start the car, you should feel it drop

there's a pipe from the servo to the engine, on yours because its a diesel, it will go to some type of vacuum pump, theres a little valve in that line, a non return valve, make sure this pipe is all intact, no breaks or cracks

if you pull the pipe out of the servo, there should be vacuum, a sucking noise as you pull it off, with this pipe off and the engine running there should be suction on this pipe, some servos have sensors on as well, so if the pipe has broke or no suction on the servo, can cause a fault code aswell

I check this pipe first

cheers

Joe

Brilliant, thanks for the reply. When I start the engine with my foot on the pedal, it doesn't drop at all, it stays hard and high up.

I'll check the pipe tomorrow when I'm at home. Is the servo easy to change if it came to it? I'm not mechanic but I can do the odd bits, just wanted to avoid the fees from a garage if I can. I saw servos used online from breakers for about £40-50.

[JOE-DOT-COM]

hi

never changed one myself on the s-type

but i assume, there 4 fixings inside the car and the linkage

then it might be easier to remove complete with the master cylinder

then replace the servo and replace, watch the brake fluid on the car, it will damage the paint

and also all the brakes will need bleeding

cheers

Joe