hi,

I'm having problems with the brakes on my 120Y. The vaccuum hose that goes from booster to inlet manifold was blanked off until yesterday when I replaced it, however now whenever I put the brakes on (with the engine running) there's a hissing noise comes from down near the brake pedal (cant hear it from the engine bay)

Another problem is when driving and I go to put the brakes on, the pedal is really spongy, and has to be pumped once to make them come on firmly. I assumed it just needed bleeding, so I did that and the problem persists... are my two problems related, and how could I go about fixing them. If I have to, I'll switch the whole thing out of my other car, but I dont really want to do that.

ps. sorry about the long post

Sounds like a hole in the booster membrane. Someone else would have known this, and that's why they removed the vaccuum line. Make sure that you have the 1-way valve in the line to the vaccuum source.

Go to the wreckers and try find another one. Otherwise see if a brake place can "recondition it, by getting a new membrane. I don't think it costs that much from memory, and they should last 20 years.

Chris

thanks dattodude I think u were right.
I switched boosters between cars and now the brakes work in both... dont ask me why.

I am however stuck on bleeding the front brakes, the bleed screws are a dodgy size and all my spanners just slip around them. Anyone know exactly what size they are?

Either a size ten or eleven. {not sure if you understand these type readings we have here in SA on spanner sizes}

Anyway, these bleeding nipples tend to round up after years of bleeding, especially if these cars past a few owners before yourself.
What I would suggest is to use a VICE GRIP, and get these loosened and then replace them, these nipples are bloody cheap, and can be purchased at any auto spares dealer.

Is a vice grip those adjustable locking pliers?
Either way it sounds like a plan. Thanks

Another alternative is to use a small ring spanner if an open ender won't work.

yes, vice-grips the locking pliers are very useful for bleed nipples and also removing brake hoses.

I've had terrible results using flare wrenches on those things.