What do you guys think? Could it be master cylinder or servo and is there anyway to check them? Spent far too much on mot allready and dreading it being a new servo.

With engine off pump the pedal and it should go solid. Hold pressure and see if pedal drops slowly to the floor.

What was the braking force like on the rollers?

Spongey feeling could also be down to rubber hoses expanding.

With engine off pump the pedal and it should go solid. Hold pressure and see if pedal drops slowly to the floor.

What was the braking force like on the rollers?

Spongey feeling could also be down to rubber hoses expanding.

Dunno bout rollers he dint say, read a couple of threads about braided hoses, might be worth a try.

Ill try pedal later not at home at the mo

Cheers

If its so bad that it failed an MOT braided hoses won't help.

Master cylinder can be picked up for 25-40 quid.

But Polo brakes can be rather spongy/crap as standard so could it be the person not knowing what Polo brakes where like?

If its so bad that it failed an MOT braided hoses won't help.

Master cylinder can be picked up for 25-40 quid.

But Polo brakes can be rather spongy/crap as standard so could it be the person not knowing what Polo brakes where like?

Same guy did the mot last year and never picked up on it then.

Just gunna buy new master cyclinder and hope for the best.

If it fails again whatelse could it be?

What condition are the rear brakes in?

If there worn then they could be taking some of the slack.

As standard the brakes are a bit soft.

What condition are the rear brakes in?

If there worn then they could be taking some of the slack.

As standard the brakes are a bit soft.

They arnt too bad there's a couple of mm left on them, i do have some brand new ones to put on though, just got no spring tools, any tricks to get em off and back on again with out the proper tools?

needle nose pliers are the trick for the springs although i have just got hold of one of the special spring tools for free a few weeks back

Spring tools are for posh people.

Some spring nose pliers or a screw driver does the job

Aha sound, gunna have a crack at that tomorrow.

Just been out and pumped pedal and its not losing pressure so surely it can be the master cylinder pusin fluid back in.

Tink garage must have done a cheap job and not bled backs, vaigley remeber him saying something lie they managed to do it through fronts alonebut didnt clik at the time. Gunna do backs with a mate on sat. See if it gets any better before spending Even more money on it!!

Just been out and changed the shoes on the drivers side and the drum wouldnt go back over them, does this mean new drums aswell?

sounds like youve set the ajuster wrong ...the wedge needs to be pulled up for the drum to go on

Ye, there should be a wedge shaped weight on a spring.

push it upwards, and the pads should then compress the cylinder.

Ye, there should be a wedge shaped weight on a spring.

push it upwards, and the pads should then compress the cylinder.

Ahhhhh yea i get you cheers guys, ordered new shoes and drums aswell now, they could do with the change anway so good to know when i change them over next week. Hopefully should put some pressure backon the pedal.

Thanks to every for advice, will let you know how it goes when parts come in!

You might want to wrap a cable tie around the cylinder to stop the pistons popping out too.

You might want to wrap a cable tie around the cylinder to stop the pistons popping out too.

Good idea that, didnt have any problems with it earlier. Ut better safe than sorry,

Just had a look at the photo i took before i took them off (to make sure everything whent back in right place) and the wedge is righhhhhtttt down to the point the spring on it is completly compressed, i know the garage have adjusted it to try make the pedal better, but it being right down is that a good sign that the shoes need replacing and probably the reason the pedal is spongey?

If the wedge is right down then normally the pads are dead or the wheel is jammed on. (i had it adjust and latch on during the MOT once).

Should be on the narrowest point, and should adjust properly after a few presses.

They're shagged then? Haha

Tryin to upload the photo but my phone aint playin the game

Low wedge

They dont look half bad TBH.

I've changed worse.

I dint think they were but I'm just trying anything to get the brake pedal back to the right pressure before have to start messin with master cylinders and servos. Its been bled by ETS and its still too spongey to go theough mot. :/

A quick check for the master cylinder (you will need the drums on for this)

Rather than press the brake pedal with your foot, TRY and press it down VERRRRY slowly with your hand, this can take several minutes.

The object is to attempt to get the piston to 'bottom' in the MC. Obviously, if it IS in good condition, then you should NOT be able to do this, but if the seals are worn, it may be possible.

If you press the pedal hard with your foot, the fluid in the cylinder WILL expand the seals, even if they are badly worn, that is why I am saying, do it gently and with your hand - if the pedal 'goes solid' whilst doing this, then the MC is probably quite OK.

One other point about getting the air out of those rear cylinders. With the drums on, slacken of the bleed nipple, working through one of the wheel bolt holes, release the above mentioned wedge, this will allow the springs to contract the shoes and push the pistons right into the cylinders, removing the 'dead' air space, which otherwise may never fill with fluid, leaving a permanent 'air spring' in the cylinder.

If you have difficulty releasing the wedge by this method, remove the drum, slacken bleed nipple, release the wedge and place a ratchet type luggage strap around the shoes to keep the pistons right in the cylinder. Bleed the brakes, remove the strap, put the drum back and pump the brakes to allow thee auto adjuster to take up the slack. Job done!

Regards.

They dont look half bad TBH.

I've changed worse.

The linings do look OK but the adjuster looks to almost be at the limit of it's adjustment

you have'nt got 200mm drums and 180mm shoes ???

They dont look half bad TBH.

I've changed worse.

The linings do look OK but the adjuster looks to almost be at the limit of it's adjustment

you have'nt got 200mm drums and 180mm shoes ???

You may have a point. The shoes don't look like they are high enough up the wheel cylinder.