93 volvo 940 wagon brake prob.

[Sailor]

My daughters 93' 940 wagon seems to have a brake pedal that changes height.
It seem to start stopping the car lower in the range than than usual. here
is the weird thing . It only does this occasionally.

I checked for vacuum leaks and have disconnected the brake vacuum booster
after sitting all night and it still has the big suction sound. so it isn't
leaking.
not low on fluid and we have not added any.

Any Ideas are appreciated.
Bob

 

[Glenn Klein]

My daughters 93' 940 wagon seems to have a brake pedal that changes height.
It seem to start stopping the car lower in the range than than usual. here
is the weird thing . It only does this occasionally.

I checked for vacuum leaks and have disconnected the brake vacuum booster
after sitting all night and it still has the big suction sound. so it isn't
leaking.
not low on fluid and we have not added any.

Any Ideas are appreciated.
Bob

From what you are stating here it sounds as if the brake master
cylinder is starting to go bad you need to have this corrected soon
either by yourself or a local Volvo repair shop /or dealer

--
"*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as
long as I live,
nor should any American.

 

[Michael Pardee]

My daughters 93' 940 wagon seems to have a brake pedal that changes
height.
It seem to start stopping the car lower in the range than than usual. here
is the weird thing . It only does this occasionally.

I checked for vacuum leaks and have disconnected the brake vacuum booster
after sitting all night and it still has the big suction sound. so it
isn't leaking.
not low on fluid and we have not added any.

Any Ideas are appreciated.
Bob

Normally the booster doesn't cause the pedal to drop.

Besides the obvious master cylinder suspicion, it can be sticking slide pins
in the front calipers - especially if the low pedal height includes a pull
to one side when braking. If it pulls to the right the problem is in the
left caliper and vice-versa. In my 85 765T I had my daughter gradually
depress the pedal while I tried to turn the wheels one at a time. The right
front still turned by hand when the pedal was all the way down! I had to
drive the slide pin out with a mallet. If this is the problem, be sure to
have both front calipers cleaned and lubed. The rear doesn't use floating
calipers on my model; I'm assuming yours is the same. Otherwise the rear
calipers are under the same suspicion.

Mike

 

[Peter K L Milnes]

While you are at it, flush and change the brake fluid as it sounds as if it
has started to become contaminated with water. As the fluid is Hygroscopic
(ie absorbs moisture) it should be changed every two years (Volvo
recommendation).

Cheers, Peter.