98 310d brake problem

[snowdonia_si]

I have recently aquired a 98 mwb 210d with 100k on the clock. I have had it for 2 weeks and the brakes have been very poor. They feel very spongy compared to what i was used to and the pedal goes most of the way to the floor. There is also an alarming lack of brake power. The previous owner did not use the van much and it was esentialy standing for 2 years.

At first i thought the brakes needed bleeding and i had a brake fluid replacement done. This has not solved the problem and if anything they feel a little worse now. The pads and disks are fine apparently.

Any ideas people?

[Gaza32]

Theres so many reasons why you are experiencing spongy? pedal.

Is it spongy or are you compairing to another vehicle?
What condition are the brake pads/discs in?
If the vehicle is fitted with ABS has an exeptional bleed been done?
Has someone been fiddling with the LSV?
Have you had a roller brake test?

Lots of questions i know but all need to be answered.

[snowdonia_si]

1. It is spongy, goes to the floor and lacks power.
2. Garage told me they were ok when i was expecting them to try to sell me new ones.
3. No ABS. i was given a reciept from a national garage to say they had replaced my brake fluid. took them around an hour.
4. not that i know of
5. no but surely all that will tell me is that i have low power or effort or whatever?

cheers. Si

[310D]

sounds like the servo needs to be replaced.

[snowdonia_si]

wouldnt a faulty servo make the pedal feel hard?

[euro II 312D]

bleed the sistem again, but to be sure, do it from below, add fluid from the bleeding valves, so air will be pushed up to reservoir, if that doesnt solve it, you need to replace not the servo, but the brake pump, they can be serviced, replacing the rubber rings, or can be the pushing rod that is damaged. This order goes from cheaper to expensive, but it needs to be done if you want to brake.

[steel-jaw-sasha]

I have found that when replacing brake pads on to worn discs the pedal has excessive travel, only after bedding in has the pedal got better, I would be tempted to fit disc and pads, all round if you are unsure. use the best quality parts you can afford, ie OE.