My brakes don't work!

kittiej

Can any of you kind people offer any advice re my brakes?

When I put my foot on the pedal it feels really hard and the car takes ages to come to a stop, which is a bit scary when you live amongst steep hills!

Sometimes they react normally to a point then it gets hard to press the pedal and other times it's hard full stop.

Also when approaching a junction if you apply the brakes, then ease off, then reapply I can't push the pedal down at all.

Not very technical I know sorry.

It's a 3 year old Passat btw

anewman

Is it a diesel or petrol?

If petrol your vacuum servo, the non-return valve, or the hose may be faulty.

If diesel any of the above, or the vacuum pump may be faulty.

kittiej

It's a diesel, Thanks, don't really know what any of that means but thank you

goldspanners

i agree with anewman, it sounds like a servo problem. this assist in the amount of force you need to apply to operate the brakes.

goldspanners

i had a similar problem with an old nissan van years ago, chnaged the servo still doing the same, changed the servo pump on the alternator still doing the same,changed the master cylinder,still the same,even after removeing and cleaning all calipers discs,drums it still never cured it. the next thing was going to be replacing the flexi brake lines but it had to be returned to head office to trade in for new van before we got round to it.

DaveMacD

Had this happen to me the other day, but just the once, thankfully. Not very nice when you're not expecting it

Apples2

Shame it wasn't a Toyota

DirectDebacle

kittiej wrote: »

Can any of you kind people offer any advice re my brakes?


Sometimes they react normally to a point then it gets hard to press the pedal and other times it's hard full stop.
Not very technical I know sorry.
It's a 3 year old Passat btw

Seems a bit intermittent. If it only occurs on journeys to and from work then there is probably too much weight in the front passenger seat.:D

Seriously though take no risks and have the brakes checked asap.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

as above, possibly air in the brakes? dont take to kwick-fit theyll probably tell you you need new braking system 5 new tyres with the spare, new discs, calipers, drums if you have them and shoes, new wipers, stop n tail bulbs dip beam bulbs, head lamp hight adjusted, wash fluid, anti freeze, timing belt, starter motor,alternator,head gasget, new pistons,coil pack,map sensor,airflow meter,cam sensor,crank sensor,idle control valve, EGR valve, new glow plugs,4 new injectors,fuel pump,oil,oil filter, pollen filter,clutch, aircon refilled with new aircon pump pump,stearing rack,,shock absorbers,drive shafts. and then say appart from that its good nick. rant over but still dont take to kwick fit or nationwide auto centres.

Inactive

Get it in to a garage ASAP.

anewman

Air in braking system would lead to a spongy pedal.