Citroen - 98 1.9D LX- braking issues

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Mon 12 Jan 2009 14:05
98 1.9D LX- braking issues - learn2Bfrench
Hi folks,

I bought my xsara a year ago and thought it could do with a service at a dealership. They recommended a change of pads and discs (not too daunting). One of the things they noted on the service sheet was that the handbrake needed adjusted. Again no big deal, I thought.

When I got in the car there was far more travel in the handbrake than there was before. It was now coming up 8 clicks.

Anyway- I changed the pads and discs with no dramas but when I checked the brakes they took quite a few pumps to build up pressure. Once pressure was built up the pedal still seemed to be creeping to the floor and if left for a minute pressure dropped again.

We went through the process of bleeding the front brakes- No air, no change. My dad said that the fluid coming out had been quite dirty. Maybe opening the caliper had pushed dirt through a valve in the master cylinder and bust it. Sounds plausible I thought so he replaced that. No change.

We bled the back brakes and got some small air bubbles. But still no real improvement in the feel.

Adjusting the hand brake is next and possibly bleeding the whole system again in the correct order. How much fluid should I need to go through?? So far- two and a half wee bottles used.

Can anyone else think what could be causing this?

Many thanks
P

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 12/01/2009 at 18:56

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Fri 16 Jan 2009 16:39
98 1.9D LX- braking issues HELP - learn2Bfrench
Hi, Any suggestions welcome!!
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Sat 17 Jan 2009 07:36
98 1.9D LX- braking issues HELP - steve_earwig
I've no idea what the set up on your handbrakes are but maybe the brake pedal/handbrake travel are related, either the brake shoes need adjusting or, if they're auto adjusting, they've siezed. There's also the possibility the garage backed the adjusters off to get the drums off and look at the shoes, then forgot to re-adjust them when they put the drums back. Looks like this is next on your list to look at anyway.

If the old brake fluid is black then you'll see when the new stuff comes through (it's also way past time to change it!), not really sure how much but I think a litre should do it.

Another thing you could watch out for is bulging brake hoses.

I'm (also) not sure if yours is similar but the Haynes for my '98 Peugeot 406 (and my 2004 - don't ask) warns not to turn the ignition on when I'm messing with the brakes because air can enter the ABS unit and I'll need Peugeot to sort it out with a special piece of kit (arm, leg, left testicle).

Edited by steve_earwig on 17/01/2009 at 07:40

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