Brakes

LMF511

MEMBER
MAZDA MPV

2002 Mazda MPV 70,000 miles When I start the minivan first thing in the morning and start to back out, the brake pedal is very hard and does not stop the van properly. This doesn't happen every time, but when it does it is scary. The auto shop says the brakes are ok, but this not normal. About 3 weeks ago we had a tune up and a hose and some spark plugs replaced and this has just started since then. Any ideas? And how concerned do I need to be that this will happen as I am driving down the freeway?

1 Reply

MIKEMRRYMN

MEMBER
7 POSTS

It is possible that whomever did your tune up knocked a vacume line loose, pop the hood and look at the large round metal thing behind the brake resivoir, this is called the Power Booster, there should be a small plastic piece with a hose running to the engine, make sure that is connected properly you can also remove this plug from the power booster and try blowing / sucking, (clean it first) this is a one way valve that alows air to travel only from the booster to the engine so if you put the side from the booster in y our mouth you should be able to blow not suck, if that appears ok then put it back toether and start the engine listen for any whistling noises that sound like a tire leaking air, there are many vacum connections on an engine some suck some blow, a chilton may help you trace the problem a little easier, and yes you should be careful to drive it until fixed, just remember a downshift may help you slow in an emergency situation also make sure your ebrake works and you can gently apply that to stop in an emergency as well