Braking issue on 2.3 20v CQ

[Sluttysmurf]

After driving my car for a short while the more I brake the brakes seems to not release fully and over a short time the brakes hold on on all 4 corners.
so you end up riding the clutch to get the car to move anywhere and when u come off the
accelerator the car the car comes to a stop.

so pretty much makes the car un driveable.

it was fine for ages.
now my dad and I are scratching our heads on what it could be.
as it doesn’t have a servo.
is or the ABS pump?
is it the brake booster?

what the hell is it! I just want to get in the car and drive it, but I physically can’t,

has anyone had a similar thing happen to them? Or know what the problem could be?

any help would be amazing people.
as it’s so frustrating.

[Bowie69]

Check your rear calipers, the handbrake mechanism seizes up with monotonous regularity.

Also check cables while there.

If tweaking the handle brake lever on the caliper fixes it, then you know what to do....

[Jaswan]

Master cylinder?

Jase.

[Sluttysmurf]

Check your rear calipers, the handbrake mechanism seizes up with monotonous regularity.

Also check cables while there.

If tweaking the handle brake lever on the caliper fixes it, then you know what to do....

I had all the handbrake cables checked and changed as I thought that was the problems at first… I was wrong!

[Sluttysmurf]

Master cylinder?

Jase.

Well I have tried looking for a new one but struggling.

I don’t want to buy second hand incase that’s no good.

[John.]

I had similar on my CQ, replaced the MC with a spare(not new) I had. This sorted it.

[Sluttysmurf]

I had similar on my CQ, replaced the MC with a spare(not new) I had. This sorted it.

Well I shall go down this route next I think and hope it works lol
thank you.

[newsh]

I does have a brake servo but it’s a hydraulic one. It’s in between the pedal pushrod and the master cylinder. It sounds to me like the servo is applying the brakes all the time without you pressing the pedal. You could try taking the power steering pump belt off and driving it to prove the point but beware.. the steering will be very heavy and the brakes will need a good push to stop the car!

Also
Have a look under the dash and make sure the brake lever is returning fully and not riding on the pushrod.

[Sluttysmurf]

Well let’s try this

[steve briance]

Lets hope it is that and not the servo itself as newsh suggested.

Taking the power steering belt off is a very simple (and free!) check to do and may just save you blindly swapping another component. The master cylinder isnt going to apply pressure without being pressed by something, whether that is your foot or an internally failed servo leaking pressure from the pump to the rod that pushes the m/cyl...

[Sluttysmurf]

Does anyone know how to take this bloody thing apart? To change all the seals?

m we have taken the C clip off but it won’t come apart

[Bowie69]

There's a snap ring, visible in the first pic, two sharp flat screwdrivers should get it apart.

Do you have a new circlip/snap ring in the seal kit?

[Sluttysmurf]

There's a snap ring, visible in the first pic, two sharp flat screwdrivers should get it apart.

Do you have a new circlip/snap ring in the seal kit?

Where? Or am I being blind?

[Bowie69]

image_83669.jpg

[Bowie69]

Left hand outline shows the ring clearly visible just inside the aluminium casting.

Right hand circle highlighting the gap in the snap ring where you get your screwdrivers in.