Pug 205D brakes

anyone know of any particular problems with the brakes on a 205 Pug? I just
bought one (N reg. 205 1.8D) and the garage has held the car back saying
they have to fix the brakes. On the test drive the brakes were crap, but in
a not used for a while kind of way. I know the car has been standing for a
while, and I know on my Volvo brakes are a weak point unless you keep up the
cleaning and copperslipping. On the Pug it feels like rust in the way, or
maybe really worn disks. Pedal didn't sink like it does when the master
cylinder is gone. Garage has said they will put new disks/pads on if needed,
and sort out the hand brake. Bloke in charge is a friend of a friend from
work where we buy a few vehicles from, so I suspect I will get treated
fairly. They won't want me to report back in a negative vein, thats for
sure.
So , bottom line is - Peugeot 205 brakes, how are they ?

 

Pretty fine. No exceptional or stranges problems in 2,5 yrs of 205
dieseling. Maybe it's just regular wear of discs and pads.

Greets, Jon.

 

Quite likely that the vacuum pump on the diesel needs
renewing/overhauling - this affects the braking performance. The seal
inside normally wears. Not all mechanics work this one out - mine
didn't many years ago and insisted the brake servo needed changing.

 

This vacuum pump, this is different from petrol engined cars where vacuum
comes from the inlet manifold? Looks like I need to buy a diesel engine
manual to understand the differences !!! I've never had experience of
diesels before.

Cheers, Stuart.

 

Yes, diesels have an additional pump to create vacuum. Grab a Haynes
or similar manual on the diesel engine and it will point in you in the
right direction. It's been so long since I did mine that I can't
remember the details but it is easily accessible and easily a DIY job.