ZX Volcane Little or no effort Near-side brake

[AthlonZX]

Hi folks

After 12-months of realitively trouble free motoring my zx has started to attack my wallet agin

I've got little or no effort on the near-side brake. I've had it to bits and given the caliper a good free off but there's still no brake action. I suspect it's either one of the rear brake valves or one of the flex-hoses.

I've been quoted £150 per side buy my local specialists Euro-car Care in Derby. Considering where the valves are this strikes me as a costly. Has anyone else had to have similar work to get their zx brakes sorted?

I did consider working on them myself but I'm a little wary of working on the brake hydraulics as I've never done it before.

Many thanks

AthlonZX (Dave)
Citroen ZX Volcane 2.0 L-1994
Citroen BX 16-Valve H-1991 (still waiting for that rainy day)

[Dave Burns]

The pressure limiting valves are a common source of m.o.t failures on rear disc versions of the zx, if the parking brake provides equal effort on both sides then I'd go for the valve.

Dave

[AthlonZX]

Thanks Dave

Unfortunately I've got no effort from the rear-nearside-hand-brake either. I also belive the brake spent a period slightly dragging (especially just from pull off).

Does this make any difference to the likely cause?

Thanks

AthlonZX (Dave)

[Dave Burns]

Have you had the piston moving, it sounds like it could be siezed.
If it moves ok how much travel is there on the caliper lever, compare it with the other side.

Dave

[AthlonZX]

Sorted...was the rear brake valve. Had to give the rear caliper a bit of welly to get it moving again though. Doesnt look like it had moved properly for quite a while

Plus the car now stops when it should on hills

Cheers

AthlonZX (Dave)

[Ian Fearn]

Dave, i can recommend a decent garage in Ilkeston which is a lot LOT cheaper than Euro car care.