Series 3 brakes really Bad!

I have a series 3 which i have just got on the road after many years laid up.

My issue is the brakes are not the best to say the least. They work but i have to press them really hard like the servo isn't working.

i'm also finding after a few miles, they start to bind.

Is this a sticking master cylinder? a dodgy servo? or both?

In light of the above, how best would you guys advise i go forward. Repair existing servo/master or upgrade it for newer tech

ps its a 2 1/4 petrol so no tdi power or anything just a std series3

Thanks

Depress the brake and hold it down, start the engine and you should feel the servo kick in and the peddle will drop further if it's working.

most likely need to sort out the servo unit, make sure the hose from the manifold to booster (servo) is not leaking, the master cylinder and all wheel cylinders may need to be striped down and honed out and put new rubber seals in, check the hose and booster operation and check all wheel cylinders first, just a basic visual inspection, ie, removed the brake drum and chech the cylinders, get you finger and peel back the rubber cover on the cylinder end and see its is leaking and or has white corossion on it, if so the piston inside will most likely be stuck and wont return, also check the shoe springs.

Laid up with old water containing brake fluid = IMHO, rubbish brakes. They'll need a full strip and clean. If the linings are old, they might contain some asbestos, so some sensible caution is advised.

You can upgrade the drums to discs, at some cost, but that's your call. Servo will need to be working in any event, so I'd advise getting the existing setup working, before spending any serious money.

Presumably the thing has passed an MOT - and so they can't be that bad

Disco1BFG said:

Laid up with old water containing brake fluid = IMHO, rubbish brakes. They'll need a full strip and clean. If the linings are old, they might contain some asbestos, so some sensible caution is advised.

You can upgrade the drums to discs, at some cost, but that's your call. Servo will need to be working in any event, so I'd advise getting the existing setup working, before spending any serious money.

Presumably the thing has passed an MOT - and so they can't be that bad

Click to expand...

yep that right, there is still many older vehicles around that may have asbestos in the friction material, i remember in australia it was phased out in 1999, and when i was at a automotive place doing work experience in 2005 some of the staff there would use an airline to blow all the dust out of the area and there would be dust everywhere, and i was thinking in my mind hey dont do that you dont know if there is asbestos in those shoes.
im think around the same lines as you, he may need to replace some of the parts as in the wheel cylinders as they can get bad pitting and can leak after they are rebuilt with new rubber seals, some places over here can actually chrome the pistons so they wont corrode with the alloy bore as the pistons are just metal.

hopefully its not too bad.

servo, that's luxury that is, I have to rely on pressing the pedal a couple of miles before I want to stop

Replace all the wheel cylinders; likely to be well seized after lying for so long...and the brake pads.

Sounds like its due an overhaul.
Not an expensive task. Change slave cylinders, shoes and springs and adjust and bleed properly. Then onto the master and servo if still inadequate.

Just to add .....
Series 3 non servo brakes are very good if everything is working as it should
Servo just makes it easier for the Ladies........

these ladies?

looks more like a laddie