Front brakes stuck on.

[Lanks]

The front brakes came on without pressing the peddle on my 51 tdi 130.

Managed to stop, smoking brakes! Left for a while.

Found upward play in the brake pedal seemed to release the brakes a bit. Got it home. Brake lights stayed on, refitted the plunger switch.

Drove a few miles and I could feel the brakes comming on on gradually.
Had to stop. Car really bogged down but seemed to improve when I lifted the brake pedal.

Just fitted a new plunger switch, tried to pull away, front brakes are on.???

What is going on? help please.

[snapdragon]

Two common problems are a servo with rainwater in it due to rusty seems where the pressings are crimped together. The servo slowly gathers water due to the vacuum inside it.

The other problem is the brake pedal assembly starts to partly unlock into the crash position. I can't explain well, but the pedals are supposed to collapse to save the driver injury in a serious crash, and sometimes what holds in in normal positions starts to come adrift. There is a large marble-sized steel ball-bearing and some clips and stuff. Sorry I can't be more specific but a lazy return of the pedal up to it's top position is a good clue.

[Lanks]

So whats the best way to check for these? I need the car back running really as I use it for work.

Is it something I can do myself?

Thanks

[Lanks]

Just jacked the front end up to have a look, the drivers side is alot tighter, drags more than the other, cant see a way of adjusting them? Its just like it on a bit, but you really have to force it to rotate?

[Lanks]

Tried something else. Took wheels off and fluid cap, pried the pads apart slightly to free them up. Wheels back on and went for a short drive, braked fine pulled fine, drove onto my drive jacked it up and the fronts had already started to bind on, could hardly move them.

Any ideas, advice please?

[Rolo]

You could try removing the vacuum pipe to the servo, you will need to block the end off or turbo actuator etc will not work. The brake pedal will be very hard so only go for slow drive and see if that make any difference. If brakes still come on then it it probable due to pedal probs as above. Have you cleaned out drains under battery/servo? If not then it is probable that servo casing has rusted and water is affecting servo mechanism.
Ian

[Lanks]

Took the battery out and checked the drain holes, all looks fine and clear, could not feel and rust on the master cylinder either.

The vacuum hose you are talking about is that the 10/12 mm black hose comming out of the cylinder to the left of the fluid pot?

If sol I followed it to the bulkhead where it goes through, the pipe the other side was very loose, just cam out of the rubber grommet with ease, had a little oil in it. Should it be tighter?

Is this the vacuum hose?

Is there a picture of the servo so I can see if I'm thinking of the right part.

Front brakes are still bound on, handbrake off and you cant push the car?

[Lanks]

What is the peddal problem then? how can I get it checked/fixed, after checking the vacuum hose thing? if its that?

Need my car back working! help!

[Rolo]

servo pipe goes from vacuum pump at back of camshaft through to servo but there is a small tee off from it to the control valve for the boost & fuel temperature. It is about 12mm in diameter. The engine end has a spherical conector to allow engine movement (Ithink) Do not drive on the road normally with this removed as brakes will only be about 25% effective.

[Lanks]

Ah, think thats the one, its hardly holding into that grommet type thing going through the bulkhead to the servo? Will disconect and try...carefully!

Thanks Rolo

will let you know