P38A Odd braking behaviour

Hi,
Sorry if this seems like a silly post but I’m a bit puzzled and quite concerned.

I was driving my ‘97 P38 back from the garage yesterday and it all seemed fine.

It currently has a faulty ABS sensor but seemed to be driving ok. But occasionally when I hit the brakes, she’s a wee bit reluctant to respond.

anyway, long story short, I’m doing 30, a car in front of me stops to turn right. I brake gently and she starts to
Slow -but not speedily enough, so I press a little harder. Nothing. I’m about to coast into the back of an i30 at about 8mph. I yank in the handbrake and stop just in time.

So, my questions would be:
Is this likely to be related to the ABS issue?
Could it be something more related to brake fluid ?
-the Discs and pads are newly changed, caliper sliding bolts replaced as they had seized.
Or is this too vague / the system too complicated to guess ?

I’ll get this checked by a professional as I don’t want to take any chances with brakes but a steer is always helpful.

thanks again

Bob

ps. If anyone knows of a good independent in the Glasgow Area I’d be very interested

awkwardbob said:

Hi,
Sorry if this seems like a silly post but I’m a bit puzzled and quite concerned.

I was driving my ‘97 P38 back from the garage yesterday and it all seemed fine.

It currently has a faulty ABS sensor but seemed to be driving ok. But occasionally when I hit the brakes, she’s a wee bit reluctant to respond.

anyway, long story short, I’m doing 30, a car in front of me stops to turn right. I brake gently and she starts to
Slow -but not speedily enough, so I press a little harder. Nothing. I’m about to coast into the back of an i30 at about 8mph. I yank in the handbrake and stop just in time.

So, my questions would be:
Is this likely to be related to the ABS issue?
Could it be something more related to brake fluid ?
-the Discs and pads are newly changed, caliper sliding bolts replaced as they had seized.
Or is this too vague / the system too complicated to guess ?

I’ll get this checked by a professional as I don’t want to take any chances with brakes but a steer is always helpful.

thanks again

Bob

ps. If anyone knows of a good independent in the Glasgow Area I’d be very interested

Click to expand...

No lights on the dash?

Is the accumulator OK? You should hear the ABS pump kick on after startup but it should stop before 30 seconds unless it has been standing a very long while. One it has stopped running, press the brake pedal twice. The pump should not run, if it does the accumulator is stuffed. If it goes on the third press keep an eye on it!

Thanks. I’ll check that when I get home.

Grrrrrr said:

No lights on the dash?

Is the accumulator OK? You should hear the ABS pump kick on after startup but it should stop before 30 seconds unless it has been standing a very long while. One it has stopped running, press the brake pedal twice. The pump should not run, if it does the accumulator is stuffed. If it goes on the third press keep an eye on it!

Click to expand...

Ok, so the pump runs every single time I press the brake pedal and I can feel the pedal firm up.

does that sound like the accumulator then ?
ie. the system isn’t storing hydraulic pressure ?
Is there an easy way to check that it’s not the pump ?
An accumulator at £150 or so is doable, a new pump at £1000++ will kill me.

thanks again

Bob

Once upon a time I would recommend Gibsons in Cumnock but not so sure now. May be worth a wee look tho

Were you driving back from a petrol garage, or had work been done?

And the accumulator is knackered

I was returning from a garage where (unrelated) work was supposed to have been done -but wasn’t.
Is that definite signs of a crocked accumulator ?
I have an ABS light on the instrument panel (but due to faulty nsf sensor) but no other brake warnings.
Will get a new accumulator ordered. -doesn’t seem too much of a pain to change in Rave.

thanks again,

Bob

awkwardbob said:

Ok, so the pump runs every single time I press the brake pedal and I can feel the pedal firm up.

does that sound like the accumulator then ?
ie. the system isn’t storing hydraulic pressure ?
Is there an easy way to check that it’s not the pump ?
An accumulator at £150 or so is doable, a new pump at £1000++ will kill me.

thanks again

Bob

Click to expand...

Sounds like accumulator. Island-4x4 and similar outfits used to sell them for half that.

Grrrrrr said:

Sounds like accumulator. Island-4x4 and similar outfits used to sell them for half that.

Click to expand...

Aye, the cheapest I could find was £113+VAT but still better than the pump -or crushing a Hyundai at comically low speed

awkwardbob said:

Aye, the cheapest I could find was £113+VAT but still better than the pump -or crushing a Hyundai at comically low speed

Click to expand...

Now I think about it I recall so eonw aaying rhey found a cheaper one listed for another car that fit. Or different brand or somesuch. Not sure I'd risk it with brakes.

Is easy to change. Just depressurise and use an oil filter thingy to undo it

oakey said:

Is easy to change. Just depressurise and use an oil filter thingy to undo it

Click to expand...

Or a pair of stilsons

This was the one that the guy found cant remember his name
https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/febi-...ppaSQPMrKIexlEHojJvls-Ay_45qdHq8aApcBEALw_wcB

brianp38dse said:

This was the one that the guy found cant remember his name
https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/febi-...ppaSQPMrKIexlEHojJvls-Ay_45qdHq8aApcBEALw_wcB

Click to expand...

Thanks. If I thought it would last in my shed I would buy one at that price!

I wonder how long they do last?

Grrrrrr said:

Thanks. If I thought it would last in my shed I would buy one at that price!

I wonder how long they do last?

Click to expand...

i cant see why it should not last its a good make its just will it fit and is the pressure right, i cant afford to just buy one to try and see, if it is right i would get one in a shot if mine was bad, i am sure they have a life span.

I know of a guy got a load of them cheap but they all off breakers. (No it’s not dopeys shed )

Bleeding the b****** will be the ballache. If ever happens again with the lack of brakes - pump like mad! Is what I was always told, saved me once or twice over the years of driving old landys.

brianp38dse said:

i cant see why it should not last its a good make its just will it fit and is the pressure right, i cant afford to just buy one to try and see, if it is right i would get one in a shot if mine was bad, i am sure they have a life span.

Click to expand...

I got one in shed on a pump. The pump is faulty but accumulator was Ok PM me if you want it. Cover postage and its yours

Rubberknees said:

I got one in shed on a pump. The pump is faulty but accumulator was Ok PM me if you want it. Cover postage and its yours

Click to expand...

Luv it, back to "pay it forward"

Thanks,

You guys are the best, but it’s ok, I have one on its way -felt like it was as well to get a bee one when dealing with brakes

bleed nipples look like a bugger to access mind !

Thanjs again ,

Bob