Why is the Citroen C5's brake pedal hard and not stopping the car?
2 Answers
Citroen C5's brake pedal being hard and not stopping the car may be related to a leak or malfunction in the car's vacuum booster pump. Here is more information: 1. Running-in period needed: The brake pads and brake discs used in the car require a period of running-in. If the brake pads are newly replaced, the noise may be caused by poor running-in between the brake pads and brake discs, and the noise will occur when the brake is pressed. 2. Service life: Brake pads are consumables and need to be replaced after a period of use. Of course, this also depends on the usage of the car. Generally speaking, during the use of the car, the front brake pads wear out faster than the rear ones. The service life of the front brake pads is about 30,000-50,000 kilometers, and the rear brake pads last about 100,000-150,000 kilometers.
I know this well! If the brake pedal on your Citroen C5 feels rock hard, it's most likely a failure in the vacuum assist system. If your brake booster is leaking air or there's a hole in the vacuum line, the brake pedal will feel like you're stepping on a stone and won't budge. Another common issue lies with the master cylinder - if its rubber seals are cracked from aging, the brake fluid pressure can't transfer properly. A friend of mine once had his brakes suddenly go stiff on the highway, scaring him half to death, and it turned out to be a stuck check valve on the vacuum pump. If you're driving an older C5 with an electric vacuum pump, be extra cautious about potential motor failures. Don't push your luck if this happens - test the remaining braking force with a couple firm pedal presses, then head straight to the shop. Have the mechanic check the vacuum level with a vacuum gauge - that's the surefire way to diagnose it.