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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Dan_GTi8v on 13 May 2011, 00:01

Title: Brake pedal too soft
Post by: Dan_GTi8v on 13 May 2011, 00:01

is there any way to make my brakes harder? They are bled and all piping on brake lines and servo are fine but the pedal feels really soft. Is there anything I can do?

Title: Re: Brake pedal too soft
Post by: Wayne on 13 May 2011, 00:03

If it is soft you may still have air in the system :smiley:

Title: Re: Brake pedal too soft
Post by: Dan_GTi8v on 13 May 2011, 10:18

Yeah I did think this but I've bled them 3 or 4 times and still feels soft, may just be that I've been driving other cars I do remember the golf was always a bit soft, but it feels a lot softer than it shoud be

Guess I'll try bleeding them again then :P

Title: Re: Brake pedal too soft
Post by: freezaburn on 13 May 2011, 10:28

I once had the same problem and it was actually a tiny leak behind the rubber boot that seals the brake caliper piston.
(There were no obvious signs of a leak externally).
I suspect that air was getting in there somehow since I would bleed and the brakes would go hard and then a couple of minutes later it was softer again.

Title: Re: Brake pedal too soft
Post by: nikkiy9 on 22 May 2011, 16:10

I have a soft pedal still even after bleeding, gonna be giving the car a full brake fluid change, that way there's no water in there, as you know brake fluid os hydroscopic so draws water in from atmosphere

Title: Re: Brake pedal too soft
Post by: Khare on 22 May 2011, 19:22

Are the rubber brake hoses excessively cracked or dry? They could be bulging under pressure.

Title: Re: Brake pedal too soft
Post by: Dan_GTi8v on 22 May 2011, 19:30

sorted it last week just bled them again :P

Title: Re: Brake pedal too soft
Post by: Rmachines on 24 May 2011, 15:31

I find the 1.4 -1.8 golfs are all like this but the GTIs are usually ok, but then depends what car you compare it to!

Air in the system can be a right pain to get out, the best way is to gravity bleed it and just let it drip.   Try DOT5.1 fluid, in theory it doesnt absorb water and can make the brakes feel nicer.  DONT use DOT5 though!

Title: Re: Brake pedal too soft
Post by: Dan_GTi8v on 24 May 2011, 18:02

think I used 5.1, I got the trouble when I changed to hydro clutch and had to use a pressure bleed kit, wasn't expecting it to work so fast and sucked a load of air into the system  :grin:

its all good now though :)

Title: Re: Brake pedal too soft
Post by: Rmachines on 26 May 2011, 16:25

Yea air can get well and truley stuck in there sometimes !