brake failure

hi my brakes on my 90 have stopped working the pedals going straight down without really doin much i havent touched the brakes recently so i dont think they need bleeding i just wondered if theres a common problem or anything like that

Start with the obvious...has the fluid level gone down? any sign of a leak at any of the wheels?

I would do as above check the fluid levels, If they are going down its leaky leaky time, If not it sounds like the master cylinder's seals are away not causing any pressure to be generated.

Had similar on a van years ago as well turned it it was the balancing valve going to the rear ?

yeah the fluid levels fine admitedly i have let the rear brakes run down to next to nothing do you think this could have contributed to the problem

It should not no, but if the master is leaking and can't get a full load of fluid down the lines then it could make an already existing problem worse, have you tried pumping them up? Try that first, if that works think master.

Then if not, I would crack off the bleed nipple on the front calipers for starters and see if fluid or air comes out. If fluid fine, do it back up. If air let it bubble out for a while. Then go and try the brakes.

What you want to know is, is the system full of fluid, if so, then the master has almost certainly failed.

cheers discomania ill give that a try

if the master cylinder naffed would a disco 300 tdi one dit on my 90 200tdi?

have you tried adjusting rear shoes as too much travel will use up brake pedal travel does the pedal go hard if pressed twice and not creep down , disco master cylinder is different

This was a problem with mine when I bought it ... fitted a new vacuum servo unit and it now stops as well as a Land Rover stops ... eventually

A burst servo doesnt stop the brakes from working, you require a lot more force to work them,
If the fluid isnt leaking is it being moved to the back brake ?? crack open the bleed nipple 11mm spanner and get some one to press the brakes the fluid should come squirting out. If it does it is not the master cylinder, If it doesnt crack off a bleed nipple at the front and repeat, If ther is fluid squirting outta here and not the back the balancing valve is fecked.
If there is fluid squirting from here as well it is the calliper.
If no fluid at either then it is the master cylinder

ok gonna give it ago tomorrow and its got a disco rear axle with discs so it wont have brake shoes right?

right so not that

ok just making sure cheers