Brake Booster (servo)

[Kalaharikreef]

Ellos,

Maybe someone can point me in the right direction.

The brakes on my E30 seems spongy, I have to pump the brakes a few times and then also has to put a lot of pressure on the pedal to get it to stop. It grabs with a will then.

There is also a 'whoosing' sound from the servo inside the cab. This normal

Who rebuilds servos or what service rebuild kit must I use if I want to do it myself?

Cheers.

 

[DarrylvanNiekerk]

Just been through this issue myself.

Probably not the brake booster but master cylinder. I spent a lot of time trying to find a replacement or someone to service, BMW price is hectic.

Found a second hand one at BM Parts for R1k. Replaced and blead the whole system, issue resolved.

It took quite a while to get fluid into the system again as well as all the air out. Started bleeding right gently at the master cylinder first, moved to before ABS module, then after ABS module, left rear, right rear, left front and finally right front.

Pedal is stolid once again.

 

[Kalaharikreef]

Thanks Darryl,

Did the whooshing also stop?

Do you think this repair kit will help? https://www.ebay.com/itm/233406736497

 

[DarrylvanNiekerk]

The whooshing stopped - mine was getting caused by the fluid bypassing the seals for the rear brakes in the master cylinder.

I did a lot of research and spoke to a few experts and found out rebuilds are dodgy and often don't last long. At one stage my only option was going to be a rebuild so I sourced a kit from LMB Euroseals. Only thing is I couldn't figure out how to strip the master cylinder as the circlip at the plunger has no holes to pry it out - my guess is they don't want you to strip it.

I took a chance with a second hand unit but I reckon you take a bigger chance with rebuilding. You can exchange second hand units before 7 days if there is an issue.

I hope this helps but be prepared for a lot of bleeding.

 

[Kalaharikreef]

Thanks. I wil try BM parts.

There is a guy doing videos on Yuftube for E30 restoration. Top to bottom. Restore it is the name

He has a method for removal of the pesky circlip.

 

[DarrylvanNiekerk]

Good luck, I'll be intrigued to find out how it goes.
Please update when you are sorted.

Had the car been standing for a period or did the problem just start all of a sudden?

 

[Kalaharikreef]

I bought it like that. The car was supposed to be pristine but like all vintage cars there is someone that took a bit of a hacksaw to it or made dubious plans.

The shocks I replaced recently and the old ones were still the original part…