Thread: Soft brakes - Replaced master cylinder, ABS block, bled with Hawkeye and still soft!

Have you had this vehicle very long?

Have you noticed the pedal becoming softer?

My D2 never had a firm pedal , it was very progressive , pushed hard it braked hard.

Have had it about 2 years. Did become softer, not just usual disco softness but soft as in no pedal and very little braking power softness. Not game to drive it with these brakes.

My brakes are soft on my 1999 td5, had new rotors new pads and lines bled twice by expert and still soft ,if i pump them once thy become hard ,have asked about replacing master but been told i don't need to

Have you exercised the ABS by using your HDC on a steep slope?

I do this about every month or so (probably more like 2-3 months) and I have a very firm pedal.

I think the softness is a result of bubbles in the ABS pump which do not clear with the Nanocom process.

I first noticed this when I had a soft pedal and had to do an emergency stop which activated the ABS. Immediately afterwards the pedal was better.

If you haven't done the HDC, try it a few times and see if it makes a difference.
Regards PhilipA

David, my brakes used to be like yours but now stay soft on multiple pedal pumps.

Philip, gave the HDC a go down the driveway (its a slope), did kick in a few times but sounds weak and didn't improve the pedal.

Has anyone had the ABS fault 4014 pump failure 3 pump sticks on 2 separate ABS blocks with soft brakes?

Had .. still got .. the same problem with mine as well.
I've been through a similar process as you and have eventually given up.
Been told by other members that this is 'normal' for the D2 .. but I don't recall these being like this when I first bought the vehicle 11 years ago.
They brake ok .. light breaking or hitting the breaks hard they do the job .. but if you keep a bit of pressure on the pedal, it will just go all the way to the floor.
It just seems like a faulty master cylinder, but like you, I replaced it and it was still the same. There are NO fluid leaks anywhere and I was starting to think that it was going to be in the ABS block as well ... but you said you changed that and it still made no difference.
Maybe it is normal. Wonder how it would go trying to get a roadworthy?

Did the HDC with mine multiple times .. made no difference.
The last time I did them I was determined to fix them once and for all. About 10 litres of brake fluid later, using both the Nanacom and manual bleeding, they were still the same.
I eventually gave up .... like flogging a dead horse!

It looks like you have replaced all the usual suspects other than the brake hoses. New ss braided hoses will improve performance compared to 20 year old rubber.