ZX Front brakes

zxman10 · Post by **zxman10** » 13 Oct 2010, 10:12

Hi all,
First for all i'm new to the forum so hello.
I have a problem with the front brakes on my K reg zx 1.9td.
I had new discs and pads fitted about a year ago but they have never been what I would concider very good.
When breaking they never feel very strong and stamp on them as hard as you like and they won't lock up.
I have looked at the pads and there is plenty of life left in them.
I would like to upgrade to a perfofmance disc/pad combination and wondered if someone could point me in the direction of a good set at a resonable price.
Have concidered getting a set of Brembo Max discs.
Does anyone have any suggestions or any previous experience with upgraiding the 1.9td brakes.
Many thanks.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 13 Oct 2010, 10:15

Sounds more possibly like a weak Servo??

We used to have a 306 TD (Exactly same setup) with this problem... I never solved the problem.. But I think eventually put down to a Weak Servo...

It always passed the MOT Brake test though..

Paul

zxman10 · Post by **zxman10** » 13 Oct 2010, 10:21

Is there any way of checking the servo?
How hard/easy is it to change?

Thanks.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 13 Oct 2010, 10:26

also zxman, a bleed and maybe a caliper strip and rebuild shoud help? if the pads are sticking, you will be putting a fair effort into getting them to shift before they do any useful work..

John

zxman10 · Post by **zxman10** » 13 Oct 2010, 10:33

jgra1 wrote:also zxman, a bleed and maybe a caliper strip and rebuild shoud help? if the pads are sticking, you will be putting a fair effort into getting them to shift before they do any useful work..

John

Thanks for that.
Will try and do that this weekend.
Have just striped, cleaned and regreasesd the calipers on my Laguna before putting on new discs and pads.
One of the sliders in the passenger side caliper carrier had seized.

Many thanks.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 14 Oct 2010, 07:48

hi and welcome

i would check the calliper slides firstly,

i dont think it will be the servo, because that only assists the pedel action,

so if you realy press the pedel hard they should still lock up even with the servo disconected,

regards malcolm

Post by **RichardW** » 14 Oct 2010, 08:12

Std servo tests:

Engine off pump brakes, pedal should go hard after 3-5 applications as vacuum is exhuasted. Now hold down pedal and start engine, pedal should sink appreciably as vacuum is re-built. This is the standard MOT test for servo I think.

Depending on the calipers fitted ZX brakes were never that good from new - many were changed under warranty! A good strip and grease of the slides etc may well help. Worth checking the state of the rear drums too, as if they are weeping (hardly unknown on ZXs!) they might be responsible for pressure loss.

zxman10 · Post by **zxman10** » 14 Oct 2010, 10:46

RichardW wrote:Std servo tests:

Engine off pump brakes, pedal should go hard after 3-5 applications as vacuum is exhuasted. Now hold down pedal and start engine, pedal should sink appreciably as vacuum is re-built. This is the standard MOT test for servo I think.

Depending on the calipers fitted ZX brakes were never that good from new - many were changed under warranty! A good strip and grease of the slides etc may well help. Worth checking the state of the rear drums too, as if they are weeping (hardly unknown on ZXs!) they might be responsible for pressure loss.

Thanks Richard
Have had the rear checked last week and all good.
Will do a strip down and re-grease this weekend.

Jay.