Sponge brakes 2001 sprinter

[Maci]

Hi I have a 2005 sprinter ,it's got spongy breaks too. I think it's normal for my van. My husband doesn't like it as his car has touchy breaks so very different for him to change between vehicles. I don't drive (Gus) my van fast and always leave plenty of stopping distance because of his size and breaks, he's a huge land snail .That said if your worried get it checked out .I like the idea of a pre-mot like another person previously said to do, you would get value for money to check the all the van ,that's what I would do .
Cheers Lisa

 

[trevskoda]

If you pump the brake pedal quickly dose the pedal harden and the bite travel decrease if so you .may have air in the systems first check the master cylinder for any sign's of Leak's ,check behind pedal and under the bonnet behind the servo .can you compair your brake pedal with a similar vehicle .if in doubt get a professional opinion .their are many things that can cause poor brake's.

Also caused by rear brakes requiring adjustment,most are ment to be automatic self adjustment but in fact stick and have to be freed up and hand adjusted,then and only then should you bleed if required the system.
Try pushing the pedal with engine of,then start if it goes down a bit more this is the servo doing a bit more work which is normal.

 

[Rob H]

Sponge brakes 2001 sprinter.

Not familiar with the Sprinter braking characteristics, but for any vehicle, you can ... take it to an MOT test station you trust and pay for it to go on the braking rollers, ask for a printout of braking efficiency on each wheel and the examiners opinion as to brake pedal pressure and ABS operation. not expensive and may put your mind at rest or identify any fault/s.

2001, prev comments regarding simply bleeding any air out of the system, brake system fluid replacement, pad knock off / warped or well worn discs, wheel bearing play, ageing weakening flexible brake hoses and servo issues and associated vacuum pump are particularly worth exploring.

Good luck with a resolution.

Rob H.

 

[caledonia]

Take it to a garage and get it checked. The vans been stood for a while so it could be anything. Spongy pedal means air in the system. Brake fluid attracts moisture (hydroscopic) and has probably never been changed so for your safety and other road users get it checked asap.

 

[skippy]

Sprinter brakes.

HI.First post here goes Bought 2009 crafter brakes terrible would almost hit floor better if pumped once.Renewed with quality brakes -same - bled -same .Flushed all fluid out with new fluid great no problems since.Worth a try.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

1 Air in the system because of a low level.??
2 worn rear shoes needing taking up??
3 Hoses old and getting soggy, allowing them to swell.??
4 Has it had a power bleed to replace the old black and shitty fluid which never got changed at any previous service??????
5 see 4, there is water in the system??

Just a few thoughts front disc can knock worn pads back and they have a long way to take up the slack, a bit like the worn rear shoes do. Does the handbrake take up the slack bringing up the pedal. That would tell you which end it is.

 

[RichardHelen262]

1 Air in the system because of a low level.??
2 worn rear shoes needing taking up??
3 Hoses old and getting soggy, allowing them to swell.??
4 Has it had a power bleed to replace the old black and shitty fluid which never got changed at any previous service??????
5 see 4, there is water in the system??

Just a few thoughts front disc can knock worn pads back and they have a long way to take up the slack, a bit like the worn rear shoes do. Does the handbrake take up the slack bringing up the pedal. That would tell you which end it is.

They have discs on the rear the same as the front and the hand brake works off shoes independent to the foot brake, so it wouldn't make any difference to the foot brake, even if the hand brake wasn't working at all.