Series 3 owner for 20+ years

Hi, would be interested in some opinions based on other's experiences!
Always had great brakes on my S3, even with the 10" drums. I had replaced the servo, master cylinder, pipes, shoes, drums, cylinders and the twin circuit valve a few years back.

But I have a problem. At first the brakes work as they should with a short travel on the pedal before it becomes solid. The brakes lock on instantly and evenly .

The "servo" test light on the dash illuminates when tested with the ignition on...

But a second application of the brakes and the pedal, travelling the same distance as before, becomes hard as expected but the brakes are virtually ineffective, certainly not bringing the vehicle to a stop despite putting my full weight on the pedal.

Once the pedal is released, a further application and they work fine again until the "second" time they are used again and the "hard pedal/no brake" experience is repeated.

I am thinking servo/non return valve problems or break failure twin circuit valve but anybody on here had the same problems?

Thanks!

First of all, welcome to landyzone. If youve owned a series for 20+ years, how come its taken this long to find us? Have you spent most of that time lying underneath it, which would be a.reasonable reason. Since the brakes started playing up, have you whipped the drums off to have look at whats going on. My first guess would be summat to do with the master cylinder actuation rod.

Col

Hi,
Must admit, thought I had an account! The brakes were stripped so many times I lost count!! Cylinders replaced and new shoes (rubbish these days, but cheap!) and new pull off springs..(easy to get these fitted wrong)...

Any way I can check the actuation of the master cylinder push rod?

David

Hi and welcome
+1 on rod length, give the adjuster a fiddle.. the dumb way, adjust when the brakes are 'on', you'll soon know when the pressure releases

Is this the rod on the input side of the servo? Thanks

Don't know but would guess between servo and master.. best off asking in the series section

Hello and welcome
please edit out your post code in location, a town near is ok.

How? Couldn't see any way to edit my details yesterday...

I get it but it asked me for it when I signed up?!!

Welcome from me too.

click on your username top right it will take you to a page you can change it there.

Did anyone say we like pics in here?.

J

brianp38dse said:

Hello and welcome
please edit out your post code in location, a town near is ok.

Click to expand...

Ok..
Found it and done!