Screenwash + Brake Fluid what's the worst that can happen?

[joshwa]

from the bbc news article:

"David Wyn Williams, 25, already has a conviction for using a rolled-up carpet as a bumper on his old Rover."

LOL Nutter!!

Re brakes - we had our brake discs and pads replaced around 10 months ago - if they are now feeling unresponsive and you have to press hard on them to get them to work, does this mean the brake fluid needs topping up or is it best just to get it drained refilled?

Thanks Josh

[dave87]

Re brakes - we had our brake discs and pads replaced around 10 months ago - if they are now feeling unresponsive and you have to press hard on them to get them to work, does this mean the brake fluid needs topping up or is it best just to get it drained refilled?

Thanks Josh

If the amount of force required has increased, (if your brakes are servo'd) then its likely the vacuum (ie Seals are shot) in the servo is leaking. If you are having to press further then yes, would be a good idea to get the fluid checked and/or drained and replaced.

Dave

[joshwa]

If the amount of force required has increased, (if your brakes are servo'd) then its likely the vacuum (ie Seals are shot) in the servo is leaking.

Is this an expensive job? Thanks Josh

[dave87]

Is this an expensive job? Thanks Josh

Not sure on your car, but Mum's 52 Volvo has just had the same problem. Will let you know when the bill comes through (but liable to be reasonably expensive). Unfortunately at the same time (the cars done 36k miles) she needs new pads & discs & tyres on the rear aswell as the MOT & Service.

But, I'm no mechanic, so would be worth getting the car checked over at a garage & see what they say - mum's was only really noticed because the servo is infront of the drivers footwell (beyond the bulkhead) and we could hear it

[kalniel]

Volvo services are usually well expensive. What did it sound like?

[dave87]

Volvo services are usually well expensive. What did it sound like?

Its at an independant garage (being serviced by someone who my Uncle worked in the motortrade with) but it was a hissing, that stopped when any force was applied to the brake pedal. At first we thought it was a split bung & just road noise, but it steadily got worse

Oh, and you really cannot stop a volvo using the brakes without a servo - unless you are superman

[5lab]

Its at an independant garage (being serviced by someone who my Uncle worked in the motortrade with) but it was a hissing, that stopped when any force was applied to the brake pedal. At first we thought it was a split bung & just road noise, but it steadily got worse

Oh, and you really cannot stop a volvo using the brakes without a servo - unless you are superman

cant really stop most servod cars without the servo - its all about the piston ratios..

[dave87]

cant really stop most servod cars without the servo - its all about the piston ratios..

Nope, thats probably true. However, I would suggest that it would be marginally easier to stop a focus when the servo fails, than a v70

[kalniel]

Its at an independant garage (being serviced by someone who my Uncle worked in the motortrade with)

That should be a bit better then - my old man has a V40 and the bills are shocking - he's actually planning on swapping cars because of it.

[dave87]

Well got the bill today - and for what was done, it's pretty reasonable.

To do:

2 New tyres (they cost 110ex vat each)
2 New Pad Sets (rear)
2 New Discs (rear)
Brake Servo
Service
MoT
and to reattach the Fuel Cap cover (some nitwit (due to recent changes in Hexus policy - would have been stronger) broke off)

£980 something.... The Servo on its own was circa £450 tho...

Dave

[joshwa]

wow! I got my brakes checked (on the Fabia) and they said everything was fine and just tightened brakes and handbrake, and now they seem quite good. (although not as good as having a disc brake on all wheels).

[dave87]

Ah - I made the assumption that you had discs all round Silly me