1996 transit brakes

[rich.]

my beloved transit van which has been abused by every owner its ever had & just neglected by me, has developed a serious problem with the brakes. they were a bit spongy for a few years but now the pump on the back of the alternator has started making a noise and the pedal is almost solid & the result is the brakes dont work. is there an easy cheap fix or do i call it a day as ive had the old girl for 11 years & all the rust, bald tyres etc is getting just too much..
id decided yesterday to call it a day & shed a tear, but hopefully she can last a few more months.....

[suffolkpete]

I presume it's a diesel. The pump on the back of the alternator is a vacuum pump for the servo as there is no manifold depression on a diesel. The effects you describe sound like a loss of power assistance. If you change the pump all should be well. Don't know about the transit, but some of these pumps require topping up with oil and the lack of lubrication could be the reason for failure.

[rich.]

ive had a look on ebay & the pump is about £25... is it an easy fix?.. be gentle with me, im not well..

[suffolkpete]

Not that familiar with the Transit, but if it's accessible it should be straightforward.

[rich.]

thanks for that but im going to sell the old girl as the list of replacement parts is now getting longer

[rich.]

i want to work this morning & just got home & wifey has sold the van & its already gone.... im gutted i didnt even get to say goodbye .. thankfully the chap who bought it wants to sort the brakes & use it

[TerryG]

You didn't say it was your wife's van. Good to know she shares your love of commercial vehicles.

[rich.]

my van, wifey almost shares my passion for all things mechanical, except for micras. she just thinks im a little odd

[TerryG]

im a little odd

I think everybody on here has their favourites which other people find odd. I wouldn't worry about it.

[rich.]

just found my old van for sale again