Mk1 V50 - Brake problem. Pedal to the floor!

Twyford Shanks · May 20th, 2013, 17:01

Hi all... I'm new to the V50, but I'm a longtime Volvo fan.

I've had my '05 V50 (1.8, 5 speed, 97K) for 2 months now and the brakes just went on it. Mushy pedal. Whooshed right to the floor and the brakes gradually catch when the pedal hits bottom.

If I pumped the pedal it would firm up, but not anymore... Just a gradual "whoosh" sound as it descends to the floor and the brakes slowly grab at the bottom.

I checked the reservoir and the fluid is at the top - though it has a hint of light brown, it's not really dirty.

I limped it gingerly to a good Volvo specialist this morning. They've bled the brakes and checked for leaks (no leaks) and the level of fluid is fine - but they can't get the pedal to firm up, so it looks like trying a new master cylinder is the next step. The funny part is - this is the first time they've seen a master cylinder go on these models there (!) and the Volvo part is proving elusive to find immediately.

I'm looking for ideas to see if anyone else has seen this problem in their car and what they did to fix it. (And what they spent!)

- Also looking for leads on a new master cylinder. eBay vendors stocking the part seem to be based in the USA and a used one might be a gamble.

- Are there any reputable aftermarket or remanufactured master cylinders available?

- Is the 2005 Ford Focus going to have a compatible part? The photos I've seen look different.

Thanks guys!

SonyVaio · May 20th, 2013, 20:30

With brakes if they are spongy and soft then this is normally air in the system and in need of being bled. This is normally depicted by pumping the pedal which makes it go hard. If bleeding is not the issue and resolve things then I'm afraid it points to the brake maser cylinder.

If the brakes have been bled in the past and some over exuberance placed upon the pedal to pump the fluid through this can cause the seals in the master cylinder to fold over and thus leak and fail.

I'll have a quick look on VIDA for a part number for master cylinder but you should be able to get a 2nd hand one from scrappy/dismantler.

Twyford Shanks · May 21st, 2013, 02:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonyVaio

I'll have a quick look on VIDA for a part number for master cylinder but you should be able to get a 2nd hand one from scrappy/dismantler.

Thanks SonyVaio!

I was thinking a 2nd hand one might still have a good chance of putting me back in the same position soon.

Sorry I can't vouch for any earlier bleeding experience to confirm any exuberance - I've only had the car for about 7-8 weeks. It was MOT'd the day before I picked it up, though.

I wonder if there's a viable aftermarket part in the event Volvo/Ford make this part really expensive.

Thanks for looking around! If you learn anything I'd be grateful. Near as I can tell the Volvo Stock Code for that part is 36001340.

Cheers, Man!

SonyVaio · May 21st, 2013, 08:29

Here is a pic of the parts from VIDA:

Twyford Shanks · May 21st, 2013, 11:39

Thanks a lot! i'll go chase that up.

pug27 · May 21st, 2013, 11:50

If the rear pads have been changed recently and the pistons have not been wound back correctly this can invert the seals in the master cylinder as mentioned previously.

Twyford Shanks · May 21st, 2013, 16:14

Hmm... Good tip about the rear pads there. Thanks - The car's relatively new to me, so I don't know about the brake pads' last replacement but maybe someone will check that tip out for their car.

I've ordered a used one from a breaker on eBay with a 6 month warranty for about £40. The part's only available for about £200 from a main dealer otherwise.

No joy in finding a re-man or aftermarket part in the UK on this day!

/keepin' it down

digger95 · Aug 27th, 2013, 09:26

Twyford Shanks - did the ebay spare fix the issue? Just had the exact same 'whoosh' effect as I push the pedal to the floor, on my '06 1.8 petrol v50.

The rear pads - have driven 000's since they were changed so assume there's no resolution or issue with them related to this failure.

ta

IanDW · Jul 6th, 2015, 12:20

Did you guys manage to fix your brakes OK?

Have a similar problem on my sons 2007 V50 2.0 D4, just trying find out what the cause might be.
Cheers

Ian

Dangerousdave · Jul 6th, 2015, 16:21

My pedals like this and I just imagine it's just a another example of the v50 being a p1ss poor car.. At idle it needs a pump, but during use its ok and my discs and pads are pretty much new so they're working well..

May 20th, 2013, 17:01	#1
Twyford Shanks New Member Last Online: Feb 3rd, 2014 12:10 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Sheffield	Mk1 V50 - Brake problem. Pedal to the floor! Hi all... I'm new to the V50, but I'm a longtime Volvo fan. I've had my '05 V50 (1.8, 5 speed, 97K) for 2 months now and the brakes just went on it. Mushy pedal. Whooshed right to the floor and the brakes gradually catch when the pedal hits bottom. If I pumped the pedal it would firm up, but not anymore... Just a gradual "whoosh" sound as it descends to the floor and the brakes slowly grab at the bottom. I checked the reservoir and the fluid is at the top - though it has a hint of light brown, it's not really dirty. I limped it gingerly to a good Volvo specialist this morning. They've bled the brakes and checked for leaks (no leaks) and the level of fluid is fine - but they can't get the pedal to firm up, so it looks like trying a new master cylinder is the next step. The funny part is - this is the first time they've seen a master cylinder go on these models there (!) and the Volvo part is proving elusive to find immediately. I'm looking for ideas to see if anyone else has seen this problem in their car and what they did to fix it. (And what they spent!) - Also looking for leads on a new master cylinder. eBay vendors stocking the part seem to be based in the USA and a used one might be a gamble. - Are there any reputable aftermarket or remanufactured master cylinders available? - Is the 2005 Ford Focus going to have a compatible part? The photos I've seen look different. Thanks guys!

May 20th, 2013, 20:30	#2
SonyVaio VOC Member Last Online: Feb 26th, 2016 19:58 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Exmouth	With brakes if they are spongy and soft then this is normally air in the system and in need of being bled. This is normally depicted by pumping the pedal which makes it go hard. If bleeding is not the issue and resolve things then I'm afraid it points to the brake maser cylinder. If the brakes have been bled in the past and some over exuberance placed upon the pedal to pump the fluid through this can cause the seals in the master cylinder to fold over and thus leak and fail. I'll have a quick look on VIDA for a part number for master cylinder but you should be able to get a 2nd hand one from scrappy/dismantler.

May 21st, 2013, 11:39	#5
Twyford Shanks New Member Last Online: Feb 3rd, 2014 12:10 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Sheffield	Thanks a lot! i'll go chase that up.

May 21st, 2013, 11:50	#6
pug27 Junior Member Last Online: May 6th, 2014 22:44 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: north yorkshire	If the rear pads have been changed recently and the pistons have not been wound back correctly this can invert the seals in the master cylinder as mentioned previously.

May 21st, 2013, 16:14	#7
Twyford Shanks New Member Last Online: Feb 3rd, 2014 12:10 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Sheffield	Hmm... Good tip about the rear pads there. Thanks - The car's relatively new to me, so I don't know about the brake pads' last replacement but maybe someone will check that tip out for their car. I've ordered a used one from a breaker on eBay with a 6 month warranty for about £40. The part's only available for about £200 from a main dealer otherwise. No joy in finding a re-man or aftermarket part in the UK on this day! /keepin' it down

Aug 27th, 2013, 09:26	#8
digger95 850 T5 once, 1.8 V50 now Last Online: Sep 21st, 2013 13:14 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: reading View Photos By: digger95	Twyford Shanks - did the ebay spare fix the issue? Just had the exact same 'whoosh' effect as I push the pedal to the floor, on my '06 1.8 petrol v50. The rear pads - have driven 000's since they were changed so assume there's no resolution or issue with them related to this failure. ta

Jul 6th, 2015, 12:20	#9
IanDW New Member Last Online: Jul 30th, 2015 19:39 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Reading	Did you guys manage to fix your brakes OK? Have a similar problem on my sons 2007 V50 2.0 D4, just trying find out what the cause might be. Cheers Ian

Jul 6th, 2015, 16:21	#10
Dangerousdave Member Last Online: Sep 5th, 2015 19:01 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Reading	My pedals like this and I just imagine it's just a another example of the v50 being a p1ss poor car.. At idle it needs a pump, but during use its ok and my discs and pads are pretty much new so they're working well..

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