Replaced brake servo - now it's worse

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grubbyfingers

New Member
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2
Location
Kent
Hi,

I am new to the forum and relatively new to land rover maintenance. I have a series 3 109 1984 military spec. The brakes are dual system servo assisted. There was a problem with the pedal going to the floor. A hissing from the servo caused me to think that this was the cause. I have now replaced the servo (and bled brakes) and have two issues: the brake still goes to the floor (so I guess it was not the servo - though now I don't have a hiss), and there is now a lot of travel before the brakes engage, possibly as a result of the new servo being narrower than the one it replaced (see picture). Any thoughts on either issue? Thanks.
 

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Likely it just needs more bleeding.Servo not working would result in the pedal being harder to push down.Possible master cylinder no good or out of adjustment.
 
most servos "hiss" when they are working. First and cheaper option new master when bleeding doesn't work.
 
With the symptom of brake pedal on the floor fitting a new servo is a bad call. Possible causes of poor pedal: Brakes badly in need of adjustment, a hydraulic leak, air in the system, a faulty master cylinder.
Here is what you should have done: Visual inspection looking for brake fluid leak, brake drums off to check for leaks and condition of shoes, wheel cylinders and brake adjusters being free to move. If all ok, drums back on and adjust brakes properly. Check pedal, if still bad, bleed entire system. If still no good it's probably the master cylinder.
Even if the servo doesn't work at all it wouldn't cause the pedal to hit the floor. Your problem is covered somewhere above.
 
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Thanks all. Should have checked here first! If the brakes are pumped they then hold and the pedal does not depress further. What can I conclude from that?
 
Thanks all. Should have checked here first! If the brakes are pumped they then hold and the pedal does not depress further. What can I conclude from that?
That the brakes are in need of adjustment but you would be advised to check them over properly. They are your brakes, do them properly or get somebody else to do it.
 
Pump the brake pedal with the engine off to get it hard then start it up with your foot still hard on the pedal, if the pedal gives and starts to fall then the servo is working. If you cant get the pedal hard with the engine off then as above you've got leaks or air somewhere.
 
Check the adjuster pegs have not come off the back of the shoes , been some badly made shoes in recent times.
 
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