brake booster

[carlos]

Hi forum,

I suspect my s2 servo is not doing the job properly anymore, because I find very dificult to lock the wheels, and I have to increase the force on the pedal.
Can anybody tell me how can I check the brake servo, and do the right tuning on it?

Thank you in advance,

Carlos

[william]

have you checked if the one way valve in the vacuum hose is still working?

[carlos]

Yes it is William, and the vaccuom hose is o.k. too.
Some days ago, everytime I depressed the brake pedal, a "ssssss" noise appeared, but now it does not happen anymore.

Carlos

[Huib Geurink]

The servo either works or it does not. You cannot tune it. It may leak vacuum if the O rings between master cilinder and servo no longer function all right.

You can check it by turning your engine off when driving and stepping on the brake pedal several times. Stepping on it once is not sufficient as you have to loose the vacuum still present in the servo. If you feel that the pedal force changes, the servo is still ok. Don't take the key from the lock when you switch off the engine and depress the clutch or put the gear in neutral.

[carlos]

Thank you Huib.

I did the check you told me, and the car brakes even worst with the engine off. So, the servo is working. Perhaps the reason for hard braking is the material of pads, since the master cilinder is new (body) and was overhauled with new rings a few kms ago. All girling wheel cilinders are ok, and new hoses fitted.

Question: Is it easy braking to lock the wheels on dry tarmac on S2 cars? I find it extremely difficult with my car.

Carlos

[Huib Geurink]

Did you change pads recenlty then?

I do not have good experience with the low cost pads that are on the market. They seem to be made to ruin discs rather than stop a car.. My problem is that I have not been able to figure how to tell the difference between good quality and bad quality pads in the low cost sector. To make sure that I use pads which are good and also disc friendly I use the Green Stuff pads. Expensive but at least top quality.

[Christopher Adams]

I just ordered EBC greenstuff pads formy series 2 1.3s fulvia today. They were approximately USD$125 for front and rears, not including shipping. They also list 'original quality' pads for less that USD$70 for a complete set and disks at USD$165 a pair for fronts and USD$171 a pair for rears.

Check the website: ebcbrakesdirect.com

[carlos]

Thank you Huib and Christopher, for your replys.

In fact, I fitted new pads a year ago, when I overhauled the brake system, including the disks.
I will check the pads (wich I do not remember the maker), and then, I will let you know.

Carlos