Brakes on mk3

[Islander71]

I find the brakes on my mk3 lwb camper to be less than confidence inspiring - they take a lot of foot pressure to work well. It does admittedly weigh 2.5 tons. but it is a 3.5 ton gross van. I've replaced all the pistons and seals on the calipers ( 4 pistons per caliper), and the discs look almost new. The servo which is surprisingly large appears to be working ok. What I am wondering is if there are different grades of brake pads, and if so does anyone know which would give the best results.

[gotgcoalman]

Vaccumn pump on alternator knackered = stiff pedal and reduced braking efficency

[fisherman99]

Also check the load sencing valve is working ok when the one pack up on my mk3 all the brakeing was on the front when it was wet they locked up

[Islander71]

Took the vacuum hose off the brake servo and connected to a vacuum hand pump. With engine running, it reads about 23" Hg. Does this sound about right, or should it be more?
If this is ok I'm back to maybe finding better brake pads. Any suggestions?
( Because it used to be an ambulance, so would be always loaded it does not have the load sensing valve - as a campervan just the same, a fairly constant load.)

[gotgcoalman]

To check the pump on the alternator.
Press brake pedal repeatidly until it's rock hard.
Keep your foot on the pedal and start the engine.
Pedal should "give a bit" when the engine is running.
If the pedal doesn't yeild/give/drop slightly then either the pump or servo
need investigation.

[Alan jones]

Hi fisherman99 did you find a solution for your braking problem, I have the same problem. Garage have tested servo (as previously described) and load senser, a good vacuum of the pump, so could it still be the servo unit?
Any suggestions would be appreciated Alan