Peugeot 407 (2004 - ) - 1997 2l diesel - Soft brakes?

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Tue 28 Aug 2007 10:31
1997 2l diesel - Soft brakes? - Hughm
Is it me or has anyone else experienced soft brakes on a 407?

I have a 55 plated 2L diesel - super car! At normal town speeds the brakes feel fine, except for a little excessive pedal travel in my opinion.

The issue starts when braking heavily from 70 plus mph - the pedal travels a long way down, feels soft, and the amount of pedal effort does not seem to equate to the stopping rate: not a flash from the ABS light (if there is one), not a rumble or any sort or pedal feeling telling me the ABS is operating - and not a squeal from the tyres.

I guess either the ABS is not needed or not working - how can I tell which?

It is not a reassuring feeling when the idiot in front has braked quickly and I am travelling towards him at a rate of knots with half the brake travel gone and the feeling that I'm stamping on a caulliflower - and still no dramatic retardation!

Or is it me?

Kind Regards

Hugh
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Tue 28 Aug 2007 12:00
Soft brakes? - gmac
Is this something you've recently noticed or has it been a 'feature' of the car from new ?

With all the moisture this summer and flooding, have you been driving through a lot of deep water ?
Brake fluid as I'm sure you are aware is hygroscopic. It may be time for a brake fluid change as the car is coming up to 2 years old anyway.
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Tue 28 Aug 2007 13:17
Soft brakes? - Hughm
I've had the car for about 6 months. I will certainly investigate the brake fluid theory - thanks!

Hugh
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Tue 28 Aug 2007 14:15
Soft brakes? - 1066
i had the same feel on my note. i took it up to 80mph a few times and did emergency braking to get the abs to work and the soft feel went and hasn't returned yet.
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Tue 28 Aug 2007 14:22
Soft brakes? - lents111
I've had mine over 2yrs & it has always been like this. Originally mentioned it to the Peugeot dealer who checked with their technical desk & they were advised to fit a different spec of pads. This seemed to help for a while but I doubt if this spec has been used when they replaced the pads at the first 20,000 mile sevice. I just put up with it now. They tend to squeal alot as well.
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Tue 4 Sep 2007 17:30
Soft brakes? - Hughm
Nice Mr. Peugeot at Marshalls Newbury has thoroughly tested the barakes for me and confirms that they are just like any other 2.0 HDi 407. However, he has bled them (not a trivial task on the 407 apparently).

The brakes do now feel a little tighter but to be honest, most reviews of the 407 comment on the brakes and describe them as adequate but no more. One site I read said they lacked 'power'. I say they lack confidence!

Would my P warranty be invalidated if I tried different brake pads? I'm thinking of the 'Green Stuff' pads. Any thoughts guys?

Kind Regards

Hugh
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