Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Series Land Rovers => Topic started by: neddy on February 09, 2007, 20:17:13

Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: neddy on February 09, 2007, 20:17:13: When I took my 1974 s3 swb petrol out today to play in the snow I nearly took the fence opposite my garage down as the brake pedal went straight to the floor. It worked on the second pump and the fence shall live to see another day.
However it seems to be that I need to pump it once to get it ready to stop.
Once I have done this it seems fine as the second press feels firm and doesn't slowly drop while I keep the pedal pressed. 5 minutes later when I go to use the brakes again it is back to square 1.
Is this likely to be a master cylinder problem?
If so is it a relatively easy fix? I am not a very experienced mechanic but like to try most jobs myself, it's the only way to learn isn't it?
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: Paul on February 09, 2007, 20:27:14: I'd go for adjusting the brakes and bleeding the system first.
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: Devon-Rover on February 09, 2007, 21:40:20: Ditto

Adjustment of the shoes! one trolly jack and an 11/16 AF spanner IIRC is just the job.
Jack up one wheel at a time, adjust till the wheel locks then back off 2 clicks whch should have just the shoes tickling the inside of the drum.
Adjust all the rest and a firm pedal should be there.
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: spy on February 09, 2007, 22:33:10: Does it stop straight one you have pumped the pedal up? Sounds like air getting in somewhere, maybe a bust wheel cylinder?
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: Fuddy as muck on February 10, 2007, 11:22:24: Quote from: "spy"
Does it stop straight one you have pumped the pedal up? Sounds like air getting in somewhere, maybe a bust wheel cylinder?

Sorry to hijack the thread, but my series is doing this since i took it off-road last week. Brakes dont work atall on the first pump, on the second pump they work just fine but do sometimes pull to the right :shock: I'm assuming the same stands for me too. Meaning that i need to blled the brakes first then adjust?

Darren
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: ed209 on February 10, 2007, 12:03:02: Mine's the same, there's a little on the first press then stops very well on the second!
Thought it was standard!!!
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: Devon-Rover on February 10, 2007, 12:33:29: Excessive air can cause the double pump. but then the pedal can still be spongy.

I would go for adjusting them up first to see how that works.

Pulling could then be caused by air in the opposite side cylinder or a stuck piston on that side too. And again simply the shoes needing adjustment.
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: Robbo on February 10, 2007, 15:41:24: Hi ya all, sounds like a retainer springer has come off the shoes, often happens just make sure when you put it back that the spring is the right way up! Easy job hardest part is taking the wheel off! well ok probably the drum actually, just use a wooden drift or simliar if stuck, its also a good time to get to check the linings and shoes for wear and tear.....
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: neddy on February 11, 2007, 17:32:25: Thanks everyone. Adjusted the brakes (and cleaned all the mud out of front offside drum) and all is absolutely fine now. In hindsight it was obvious and I seem to recall doing it before. The strange thing is it occurred both times immediately after off roading which leads me to believe one of the adjusters is slipping during getting jolted about. I think I have some spare adjusters kicking about.
I even took it through a couple of fords today to give the underside and brakes a good rinse!!
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: ed209 on February 11, 2007, 17:39:49: And now mine have failed all together
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: MattW on February 12, 2007, 16:58:26: When you take the hubs off the Haynes Manual tells you to use a rubber mallet -> In reality you need a heavy lump hammer and I also needed an impact wrench to take out the 3 retaining screws holding the hub on, mine certainly hadn't been looked at for 10years.

Matt
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: ed209 on February 12, 2007, 17:50:17: Weekend job lump hammer and wsear box waiting
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: neddy on February 12, 2007, 20:16:22: Drums can be tricky to remove but remember to back off the adjusters all the way to help them come off.
This time around they came off relativley easily with just a good wiggle.
I too had to invest in an impact driver the first time I took the drum screws out.
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: ed209 on February 13, 2007, 18:36:20: Oh the joy, but she's worth it.
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: mark.yellow.series.3 on February 13, 2007, 19:07:10: whenever ive giving muine a beating off road, the shoes always needs adjusting.
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: ed209 on February 15, 2007, 21:47:26: Been putting it off but it'll get me out of the bathroom tiling job at the weekend

Thanks for the info
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: birdy on February 17, 2007, 13:08:27: YOU COULD ALLWAYS USE THIS NOVEL IDEA TO INPROVE YOUR SERIES BRAKES :(biglaugh): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lNBc-yBpxw
Title: Brake pedal hitting the floor
Post by: ed209 on February 17, 2007, 14:51:47: Ah 'Birdy'?!

The sound of inevitability.