brakes different?? better now but...

[rowlers]

replaced rear calipers last week, mechanic bled the system..

Now the brakes are erm.. different
the pedal has more travel now, I have to put my foot further down than I used to.
Also the pedal "pumps" up firmly with engine off, the pedal then goes softer when engine is running,  and will pump up again at idle then go softer when revs rise? What gives here?

any clues???

PS it wasn't presure bled because the garage didn't have a pressure bleeder, the pedal wasn't pushed all the way to the floor when bleeding as the kn@ckers the MCylinder I believe.

does the bias valve at the rear need to be opened to bleed?

[rowlers]

right re-bled all the brakes, now we are much better!!
But tried to clamp the bias valve thingy and it wouldn't move - mechanics words were "hmmm that hasn't moved for a while"!
how easy is it to replace, it will have to stay as it is for now, money pot is empty!

Last problem was the bleed nipple was missing from the front drivers side, can they be replaced or is it a new caliper?

[richard s]

when i bled mine the bias valve lever had no resistance but bled ok and the brakes seem fine and bleed valve can be got from vw but there is two different sizes

[rubjonny]

the nipple must have shered off, for all the effort & cost involved with getting it out, you might as well get a 2nd hand caliper. The compensators can be had for about £40 off ebay, or less if you're patient and wait for a bargain

Make sure you invest in a brake pipe spanner when you come to replace it, otherwise you'll round off the brake line nuts.

[rowlers]

Is the bias valve really important - or can I just wait for a bargain as you suggest?

[sacvwgolf]

just saw this and thought of u:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Volkswagen-Mk2-Golf-Rear-Brake-Compensating-Valve_W0QQitemZ330095198646QQihZ014QQcategoryZ9889QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

don't if it is the one your after or somthin!

[rowlers]

superb!