Odd brake behaviour

[SimonR]

While driving F153 to the bodyshop this afternoon I found out that the brakes are a little dodgy.

What happens is that the pedal operates as normal and the car stops fine, however, when I take my foot off the pedal it stays down and the brakes are still on. Just to clarify, my foot's off the pedal but the brakes are still on and the pedal is down!

As soon as I pull away the the pedal rises hesitantly and the brakes come off.

Added to that, but possibly unrelated, is the fact that there is a leak of brake fluid running down the servo unit where the master cylinder attaches to it. I can't work out where is is coming from and haven't had time to investigate yet.

All the brake components are brand new ex-ledders.

Any ideas?! Cheers

[E_T_V]

Is sounds like a return spring has broken or maybe a failed seal on the master cylinder.

[maestro vans]

Hi F153..... had the same problem on the maestro van a few months back. Ended up swapping the master cylinder still no difference, exactly the same symptoms as you. In the end swapped the servo unit and all came good.
However if you undo the two nuts (17mm) that hold the master cylinder on the servo you can pull the master cylinder forward off of the pushrod. Look to see if the well in the servo is full of brake fluid. If so it could be the seals have gone or scoring on the barrell of the master cylinder allowing fluid to escape.
Let us know how you get on.....good luck.

[SimonR]

Thanks for the advice chaps!

I'll be able to look at this again once the bodyshop has finished making F153 look new again. What an agonising wait...

I'll let you know what I find then - I guess it's off to Ledders for a replacement servo/mastercylinder assembly in the meantime.