brake pedal spindle lubricating bolt

Hi - my brake pedal is sticking a bit and I have to raise it with my foot to get the brakes off completely. From reading the Forum I know there is a spindle lubricating bolt I need to remove to get some oil in there but I can't find it. I guess it is under the servo? How do I get to it? Is it in line with the corresponding bolt on the clutch spindle - which I think is the bolt I have arrowed (bottom right) on the attached photo. Any help much appreciated.

Is a sticking brake pedal an MOT fail?

thanks, Justin

7Oaks said:

Hi - my brake pedal is sticking a bit and I have to raise it with my foot to get the brakes off completely. From reading the Forum I know there is a spindle lubricating bolt I need to remove to get some oil in there but I can't find it. I guess it is under the servo? How do I get to it? Is it in line with the corresponding bolt on the clutch spindle - which I think is the bolt I have arrowed (bottom right) on the attached photo. Any help much appreciated.

Is a sticking brake pedal an MOT fail?

thanks, Justin

Click to expand...

Have a look in here :

http://www.series123.com/UKhomepages/index87/

Dunno about the MOT ... probably

The bolt is 1/4 unc buy a 45 degree grease nipple of ebay and a grease gun and pump some grease into it.
On the right hand side of both pedal spindles looking from front.

Whats the return spring like? If its weakened enough over time Id imagine that wont help

7Oaks said:

... From reading the Forum I know there is a spindle lubricating bolt I need to remove to get some oil in there but I can't find it.

Click to expand...

You cannot find it because the facility to lubricate the pedal pivot via a nipple doesn't exist on a Servo equipped Series 3. That facility is a feature of Series 2/2A, and Series 3 without a servo.

7Oaks said:

I guess it is under the servo?

Click to expand...

The pivot is not under the servo. Nor is it in-line with the corresponding bolt on the clutch spindle - which you have arrowed (bottom right) on the photo.

7Oaks said:

How do I get to it?

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The clutch pedal pivot you have arrowed is a bush welded into the pedal box. In your photo you can see the same design at the top of the side of the brake pedal box.

I don't know if you can remove the pin in-situ. If not, you could try lubrication with a thin oil (3-in-1) or even a pressurised spray oil, but I'm not convinced the approach would be effective.
The alternative is more involved, as it means removing the pedal box. To remove this complete with pedal, from the bulkhead, is probably impossible without removing the servo.

7Oaks said:

Is a sticking brake pedal an MOT fail?

Click to expand...

If the stuck pedal means the brakes stay partially applied, then yes. It will appear as a dragging brake, and the test machine will show a high effort to turn the wheels with the brakes 'off'.

HTH

Looking again at your picture, I am concerned by the raw red / orange rust I've circled. Rust that colour indicates movement. I can't tell if it's a bracket rubbing against the pedal box, or more worryingly, if it's a cracked pedal box, flexing every time you apply the brakes. If it is, this might be your 'pedal not returning' problem.


HTH

thanks Davidss for both your posts. Particularly the second one. I will investigate. You were spot on about the MOT fail by the way.
regards, Justin

Looks more like red oxide primer than rust to me, but thats just me

Davidss said:

I am concerned by the raw red / orange rust I've circled. ... more worryingly, if it's a cracked pedal box.

Click to expand...

thanks Davidss - checked the box for movement and it's OK.

samc88 said:

Whats the return spring like?

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That did the trick - I've fitted a beefier spring and it returns without problems. I did drench the spindle with Plus Gas penetrating oil and in time it may loosen up, but meanwhile it should pass its retest.

thanks for all your input.