Brake compensator — general information (Peugeot 305)

1. The brake compensator is located in the rear brake circuit under the floor of the passenger compartment, immediately in front of the rear suspension. Its purpose is to provide equal braking effect on the front and rear wheels and prevent the rear wheels from locking.

2. If you find that when you press the brake pedal, the front wheels are mainly braked, and that it is impossible to lock the rear wheels without using the handbrake, or, conversely, when braking sharply, the rear wheels invariably lock, then this indicates a malfunction of the compensator.

3. Early models were equipped with an adjustable, load-sensitive compensator, but the latest models are now equipped with a non-adjustable compensator (see photo). The compensator must be checked in a Peugeot workshop that has the necessary equipment. Do not attempt to disassemble the compensator yourself.



4. To replace the compensator, simply remove the old compensator and install a new one, then bleed the brake system. Adjustable compensators on early models should be adjusted as follows after installation.



5. Check that the rear tire pressure is correct.

6. Load the rear of the car so that the distance between the center of the rear axle and the upper edge of the wheel arch is 305-315 mm.

7. See B/Figure 8.35. In Peugeot workshops, special tool 8.0803, shown in the figure, is used to adjust the compensator, but you can replace it with a 9 mm thick metal block with a slot into which the spring link fits when the block is installed as shown in the figure. Install the block in place and loosen the lock nut ("1" in B/Figure 8.35). Using screw "2", adjust the total distance "X" to 223.5 mm. Do not change or adjust the position of the thrust block "3" under any circumstances. Hold the adjusting screw and tighten the lock nut. If for some reason you change the position of the thrust block "3", you will have to contact a Peugeot workshop to adjust the compensator, since in this case it will be necessary to measure the pressure in the front and rear brake circuits.



8. After the appearance of non-adjustable compensators, adjustable ones stopped being installed. If your car has an early warning compensator (adjustable) type, and you suspect it's faulty, you should contact a Peugeot workshop. If the compensator needs to be replaced, a non-adjustable compensator can be installed instead, provided the universal joint has a special support bracket for it. When installing a new compensator, the brake line will need to be replaced.

Adjusting the brake compensator on Estate models

1. The brake compensator fitted to Estate models is an adjustable, load sensing compensator (see above).

Adjusting the brake compensator on models with XL or XR engines

2. Raise and support the rear of the car. Check that the suspension arm stops are in place and in good condition. If this is not the case, replace the stops.

3. Insert a 5mm thick slotted metal block between the spring adjusting screw and the suspension control arm.

4. Using the control arm adjusting screw or the spring adjusting screw, ensure that the inserted block just slides between the spring adjusting screw and the suspension control arm.

5. Remove the metal block and lower the car to the ground.

Adjusting the brake compensator on models with XU engines

6. To adjust the brake compensator on these models, special equipment is required, so this work should be carried out in a Peugeot workshop.