brake pedal 'pump up' question

[paultownsend]

91 '8v gti

im putting in the goodridge hoses next week after 2 years of mot advisories 

when i changed to the front g60 set up, new pads and disks all round (pagid f/r, brembo) i used the 22.2mm m/c. i also used an eezibleed system and the 2 man method.

the stopping power is massive, but still a spongy pedal. but, i find if i pump the pedal gently a few times the feel is very firm. which i like. but then it returns to the spongyness!

is this a m/c, vacume, or possible servo problem?
thanks chaps

[shakeyjake]

what servo do you have on it?

[mattkh]

Hi
You dont mention anything about the brake fluid.

[Dolly]

ive fitted front G60's and rear mk4s with braided hoses all round i clamped the bias valve and pressure bled it twice. the pedal is pretty solid until i unclamp the valve and take it for a drive its really dangerously spongey. should i manually bleed it old fashioned like, or is it more likely the valve has had it on the rear?

im definatly not loosing fluid.

[paultownsend]

sorry new 5.1 fluid was put in. and the std 8v pb gti servo was retained. and the compensator was clamped fully open 

[DarnPB]

The servo will not cause a spongy pedal. It only assists in braking force. A spongy pedal means you have air in the system and needs to be bled out.

[paultownsend]

is a proper pressure bleed at a garage the only 'proper' way to go?

[danny_p]

i've allways managed to bleed them up the traditional way.    vaccume bleediing is optimal tho

[Dolly]

i pressure bled it, then drove it and then re-pressure bled. im definatly going for the traditional approach next time.

[DarnPB]

I have never used the pressure bleed system. Always with one in the cock pit, and me at the wheels, shouting, 'down', then 'up', then 'down', then 'up'........
I have used back bleeding before, albeit on light aeroplanes which works for me. You remove some of the fluid from the reservoir, then with an oil can filled with brake fluid, fit the end of the tube to the nipple, crack the nipple open, then pump until all the bubbles come up through the reservoir. Then keep pumping until the reservoir is up to the full limit.