Over the past few days, my '77 B has developed a case of spongy brakes. At
first, the pedal would occasionally go soft at a stop, but then would pump up
and be okay for the next 20 stops. Yesterday, I noticed that the pedal was
getting soft at every brake application; not _to the floor_ soft, but
definitely there was more pedal travel than what I am accustomed to. After
I got home,with the engine off, the pedal would still be soft although firmer
than when the motor was running. With a cold engine (i.e. after setting
overnite), and with the engine not running, the pedal is hard. I have not
been into the brake system since last summer, so unless it has picked up air
on its on, I don't think I have air in the system, but I don't know what else
to check. Am I experiencing a problem with the brake servo? If it is the
servo, how difficult are they to repair? The Bently repair manual indicates
special tools are needed, and the Haynes manual that I have indicates that
service is best left to a garage. The servo does not appear to be leaking the
best that I can tell. Could the problem lie elsewhere?
All thoughts on this matter are greatly appreciated.
Mike McDevitt
'74 and '77 B's
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