STICKING SERVO

[Deleted]

I feel sure that my brakes lock due to a sticking servo.AS Mr Wadhams so eloquently calls it "sticking servo syndrome" My servo was re-conditioned some 8 years ago and the car has been little used. (3 litre mk1) .
Mr Wadhams mentions using new improved seal design this stops the problem. Does anyone know who supplies the seal or is this something only available from Mr W as a complete servo system? (£175).
Mr W does not supply the magic seal seperately.
Your thought would be much appreciated.
Regards Tony

[Phil Nottingham]

The Girling servo is not worth repairing IMHO - convert to the Lockheed/ See SEARCH for more details as this has been covered in length before - set it for 200 post and 2000 days.

This Servo seems to give endless troubles - try the DG Forum if you do not believe me which also has same problems. Lack of use is no good for any P5 so 8 years is not too bad - this Servo dislikes not being used a lot

Norton may sell the parts

[Deleted]

Thanks Phil, I have searched and have found the LOCKHEED TYPE 7" Land Rover Ref. APLLR18231. Do you think this would be my replacement and will I have a complex fitting job to do?
Regards Tony

[Phil Nottingham]

Cannot tell without seeing it - I posted the UNIPART number some time ago. Its a LandRover item and others.

If it looks the same apart from being black painted instead of cadmium then its likelt to be Ok. Any specs for it?

[Deleted]

Phil, I phoned Partco and they traced the servo with the ref. no. you supplied some time ago. Listed but not in stock at present. They feel that they can obtain it. Do you feel that I should remove mine from the car (Girling) and take it with me to ensure that fitting will not be a problem?

[Phil Nottingham]

It may be a good idea - as the mountings etc may be different some are on the back as in the P5b and some are on the front (some P6's)

[Deleted]

After telling me that the servo was logged on their computer i.e.Lockheed 7" Unipart/partco are unable to aquire one.
Does anyone know where I can purchase one and is it sufficient to simply ask for Lockheed 7"?
Many thanks
Tony

[Phil Nottingham]

Bartram LandRovers - John Wearing Accrington - he is P4 specialist too01254 386935 day
01254 825308.

Not into computers yet so no website

[tigran]

Just gave him a ring and he's got them in stock. Come payday i am deffinately ordering a new lockheed servo, some new flexi pipes and sorting out the woeful brakes on my p5 in time for summer.

Cheers for the pointers phil.

[Phil Nottingham]

Good idea doing the flexis as these also collapse internally or even worse burst under heavy braking. Check the steel pipes as well

[stantondavies]

Does anyone know the specification of the rubber hose used to connect the manifold to the Girling servo? I am looking to replace mine.

[Phil Nottingham]

Standard vaccum hosing available from any motor factors - do not use fuel or water hose

[stantondavies]

Thanks, Phil.

[stantondavies]

It is well-known that the Girling servo can stick and lock the brakes on and there are plenty of posts about this. I have suffered this problem in the past but having replaced my servo again last July I have the opposite problem - no servo assistance.
At first all was well, then there was a heart-stopping moment when the brakes didn't seem to work and I soon twigged that it was the servo that was not giving any assistance. After a few miles the servo would start working, often signalled by a slight jerk from the engine as, presumably, the vacuum in the inlet manifold is affected by the servo unsticking.
I took the car to Classic Cars Automotive at Chelford who overhauled the servo but the problem, worryingly, had them scratching their heads. They did say that this servo gives little trouble - there are two on Aston Martins and never a problem. It was suggested the position of the servo in the Rover engine might lead to it suffering from the heat which could cause problems. Well, in my case the servo heating up seems to free it.
I would have thought that the problem lies with the primary operating valve but matters mechanical are not my strong suit. I would be interested in other members experiences of this problem and suggestions for resolving it - preferably without having to remove the servo from the car; I know, I'm an optimist!

[Phil Nottingham]

The position of the Servo may be the problem - low down rather than high up. I acnnot see that its hot there under the inlet manifold

Its the same on P4 models which have suffered from the locking-on problem for years. As I have done on P4's and P5's nay have changed to the the Lockheed Servo which is simpler and more reliable and cheaper has replaced this.

The locking on problem dates back to the 1960's and resulted in the Mk2 Girling Servo which did not cure it either

[stantondavies]

The servo has now stopped working completely; the brakes are fine otherwise but, naturally, require more effort.
Another visit to Classic Cars Automotive at Chelford produced yet more head scratching the result of which is that the non-return valve is faulty or the vacuum piston is stuck.
Tried unsuccessfully to remove the non-return valve for testing - it is so inaccessible and difficult to get a spanner on and had no time to remove the carburettor unless anyone has a wrinkle to share on this one.
It looks as if the servo is going to have to come off; I was trying to avoid another six hours to remove and replace it, if it was something simple.
The locking-on problem is common but this certainly seems that lack of vacuum is a very rare fault as no-one has any suggestions.

[Deleted]

I found that the master cylinder was to blame. A new kit fixed it.

[stantondavies]

I have replaced the servo with another one that I had, which Classic Cars Automotive have refurbished for me. I allowed six hours for the job, but had a bad day - it took eleven. My eyesight for close work is making life difficult! Still, so far, the brakes are fine - it's just all the other problems to sort out now. But the car is running.