I have a 1998 Vauxhall Corsa (B) with spongy brakes. The brake fuid is no older than 6 months, and it has been pressure bled 3 times in the last 3 months, by 2 different people. The brake pedal doesnt sink under pressure, which means I doubt the master cylinder is at fault. The brake pedal drops when I start the engine with my foot on the pedal, so the servo is OK. I think I have narrowed down the problem to the rear brakes. Yesterday, I had the rear brake drums (disks front, drums back) machined, to remove a lip that had built up on them. This seems to have healed the problem somewhat, but I can still get a firmer pedal by 2 methods: 1) When moving, forwards or backwards, applying the handbrake on hard for a second and then releasing it. Even after it is released, the pedal will be noticeable firmer. The same thing happens if I hit the footbrake hard when reversing. However, the firmer pedal only lasts a couple of minutes.
I've been told that my adjusters are fine (they are adjusting the rear shoes when I apply the handbrake, so they must be doing something). Would mis-shapen rear drums cause this issue? As maybe the shoes cant adjust properly if the drums are oval? I do also get a slight vibration when braking from high speed, and if I jack the rear of the car up and spin the wheels, the shoes only contact the drums for part of each revolution.
Any ideas? Many thanks
I've been told that my adjusters are fine (they are adjusting the rear shoes when I apply the handbrake, so they must be doing something). Would mis-shapen rear drums cause this issue? As maybe the shoes cant adjust properly if the drums are oval? I do also get a slight vibration when braking from high speed, and if I jack the rear of the car up and spin the wheels, the shoes only contact the drums for part of each revolution.
Any ideas? Many thanks
May 8, 2009 at 11:33 AM
