Brake Servo Repair & Replacement
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£185.02
Average quote for brake servo repairs
The brake servo sits between the brake pedal and the master cylinder, decreasing the effort required from the driver for the system to work correctly. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t help with overall braking performance.
Cars without a servo before the master cylinder require much more force to push the brake pedal. That's why a hard brake pedal is one of the most apparent signs of servo failure. Other things to look for include a longer stopping distance, fluid leakage, a higher brake pedal position, and a warning light on the dashboard.
Here are five additional brake problems you shouldn’t ignore.
Brake repairs
The average price of a brake repair booked on FixMyCar is £440.93. Brake repairs are common and often involve the replacement of parts.
Can include- Diagnosis
- Brake pad replacement
- Brake caliper repair
- Brake fluid replacement
- Handbrake repair
- Brake lines repair
- Brake disc replacement
Brake pads and disc change
The average price of brake pads and disc fitting booked on FixMyCar is £439.51.
Brake pads and discs need replacing every 25,000-60,000 miles, or if you notice an unusual noise when you brake. It's a standard job, and a professional can quickly fit your new brake pads and discs.
Can include- Brake testing
- Full brake pad and disc replacement
Brake fluid change
The average cost of a brake fluid change booked on FixMyCar is £58.21. Brake fluid needs changing every two years to keep your braking system working correctly. A professional will flush out and replace your brake fluid using specialist equipment to avoid it being contaminated.
Can include- Brake fluid replacement
How does a brake servo work?
Most servos use a vacuum created via a pipe that runs to the engine’s air intake. When you push the brake pedal, a rod is forced into a housing containing two springs and an air filter. Air floods one side of the servo, which is split in two by a diaphragm.
There is a vacuum in the side connected to the hydraulic pump or air intake. The resulting pressure difference pulls the diaphragm towards the master cylinder and forces the pushrod into it with the help of a spring.
Afterwards, pistons transfer the oil from the master cylinder down the brake pipes to the brake calliper pistons. When triggered, they push the brake pads against the discs, slowing the vehicle through friction.
Learn about how brakes work in this guide.
Learn more about brakes
Can you drive a car with a faulty brake servo?
Braking becomes much harder when your brake servo fails, and because your brakes will behave in a way you aren’t used to, it’s dangerous to continue driving. Doing so can also seriously harm the anti-lock braking system (ABS), requiring further repairs.
Can a brake servo be repaired?
A brake servo is a sealed unit, so when it breaks, you have to replace it rather than repair an individual component.
What can go wrong with a brake servo?
A split breather pipe is the most common brake servo fault, resulting in a whooshing or sucking noise. The non-return valve can also fail, leading to a loss of vacuum and a perished diaphragm from oil and fumes entering the system.
It can be challenging to tell which part of your servo has gone wrong without expert knowledge, so this job is best left to a mechanic.
