poor brakes

[benji mk2]

Hi,


 I've just bought a 91 1.8 driver for the missus      The car has done 113k and has VW service history till 80k. Its been sat for about a year so Ive given it a full service and done the disc's and pads. Only problem is the brakes are shocking, very long pedal travel and not much happens even when i pump the pedal. I know the car has been sat a while so I'm hoping bleeding the calipers will sort it but i was just wondering if this is a common problem with Mk2 drivers?

Cheers,

 ben

[rubjonny]

check the rear brakes first, the condition of the backs has a surprising impact on the whole brake system!  I'd replace the shoes and see how that goes, also check the brake pressure comensator bolted to the passenger side of the rear beam is free to move, it may have siezed.  It should be adjusted so the slack is just taken out of the spring on level ground with a normal weight in the car.

[tobz.]

Have you bled the system? If it's been sat for a while the system could have got very 'damp' resulting in some air in the lines.

[benji mk2]

I'm bringing the car home at the weekend so I'll bleed the system and have a look at the rears, cheers troops!!!

[AudiA8Quattro]

Back brakes are probably seized, hence the excessive travel on the brake pedal.
Take the drums off, clean it all up and retract the wedge key.

[benji mk2]

yello,

 I stripped and cleaned the brakes rear drums yesterday and the car now stops fantastically  . I just have one quick question: Can anyone tell me what torque the hub nut that holds the drum on needs to be done up to??

[AudiA8Quattro]

The hub nut on the rear axle is NOT done up to any torque figure.
Tighten the nut so you can just slide the thrust washer from side to side with a screwdriver, then rock the wheel at top and bottom to check for play. A very small amount of play is allowed.

[benji mk2]

Nice one cheers dude