Ritch96

Bought a car for the missus off a mate who'd used it as an in between motor but it has been sat for 6 months. Its got a few probs which I think I can resolve but the brakes are stopping her using it at the moment. (and causing me to continue being her personal taxi!) Its a Volvo 440 and I picked it cause it was free and we have a great nick but accident damaged 440 sat on the drive, she was "hit and run" in it about a month ago and only TPFT. A quick synopsis -


The pedal travels further than it should/feels wooden and there is very little retard. When reversing it feels like the back left dips more under braking.

So far I have.....

Changed front discs/pads for new and replaced/bled fluid. - no change.

Changed master cylinder for known good one, rebleed- no change.

Changed vacuum servo hose/non return valve - no change/poss V slight improve(could be in my mind!!).

Done the pumping pedal/engine start test thingie and the servo seems to be OK.

Any ideas what to have a go at next? Was hoping this was gonna be a repair not a restoration!!! Any help/suggestions much much appreciated, I am a bit of a brake novice.

Cheers
Ritchie.

stockcar

sounds more likely to be seized calipers??
are all the pads/calipers moving feely, have you bled all four??

alyn

Ritch96

Alyn,

Its drums on the back but I have bled all four. I haven't looked at the backs at all, is it possible they could be causing these symptoms?

The calipers seemed OK to me when I changed the pads and discs, the pistons seemed to retract as I would expect. Is there anything else I can check on the calipers themselves?

Thanks,
Ritchie.

stockcar

if the calipers are working fine then i would suspect that you have a leaking rear wheel cylinder..........................

strip the drums off and check the condition of the internals.............
not sure on the Volvo's but on a lot of cars with rear drums - if the drums go out of range on the shoe adjustment then the pedal goes all squishy.....

alyn

Ritch96

Thanks Alyn, will have a look at that soonest.

Much appreciated,

Ritchie.