Brake System/Pedal Help

Suspension; Gearbox, Clutch and Driveshafts; Brakes; Steering; Throttle and clutch cable issues
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Jack92
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Brake System/Pedal Help

Post by Jack92 »

Hi Guys,

So, after loads of work on the rocco this lockdown I drove it out the garage today on our back road as a test and came across a problem I had forgotten about, the brakes.

Quick overview of the symptoms:
- If the engine is off and I pump the brake pedal it firms up ( still slightly soft but doesn't seem to drop at all while pushing the pedal)
- with the engine on the pedal drops to the floor as soon as any pressure is applied, the brakes work but require a lot of pressure to be applied to the pedal to have any affect. (the pedal does come back up when not on it)
- all pads have been replaced front and back (back are drums)
- handbrake works fine so I know there is no issue in the drums themselves.
- System has been bled twice and the rear lines replaced.

I firstly presumed master cylinder but thinking about it, wouldn't the pedal drop when its pumped with the engine off if this was the case?
My only other theory, which I really don't want it to be, is the servo?

What are peoples thoughts?
Thanks in advanced :)


Jack
South East

VW Scirocco Scala MK2 1.8 Inj
Jaguar XE

www.jackgregory.me.uk
Jack92
Site Admin
Posts: 860
Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:16 am
fill in the right answer: 15
Location: Chatham, UK

Re: Brake System/Pedal Help

Post by Jack92 »

For anyone else who finds this on a forum search. The issue was indeed the master cylinder. Replaced it, bled the system up and jobs a goodern.


Jack
South East

VW Scirocco Scala MK2 1.8 Inj
Jaguar XE

www.jackgregory.me.uk
mark1gls
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Re: Brake System/Pedal Help

Post by mark1gls »

Good to hear it's sorted, I saw the post on facebook and mentioned I had a similar problem and a new brake master cylinder solved my problem. :-D


Mk1 78 Scirocco GLS 1.6 FR, weekend toy.
Mk1 88 Golf GTi cabriolet 1.8 DX. Daily drive.
Membership No. 323
Jack92
Site Admin
Posts: 860
Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:16 am
fill in the right answer: 15
Location: Chatham, UK

Re: Brake System/Pedal Help

Post by Jack92 »

You did indeed :-) you saying it made me decide to just buy it and see haha

Thanks buddy


Jack
South East

VW Scirocco Scala MK2 1.8 Inj
Jaguar XE

www.jackgregory.me.uk
mark1gls
Posts: 3957
Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:28 pm
fill in the right answer: 10
Location: Somerset

Re: Brake System/Pedal Help

Post by mark1gls »

Did you have problems bleeding the master cylinder?

Could not get the air out of the rear lines at the wheel cylinder bleed nipples, I had to bleed them from the master cylinder 1st then move to the rear.
I guess if you had a pressure type bleeder you wont have the same problem as pumping the brake pedal. :wink:


Mk1 78 Scirocco GLS 1.6 FR, weekend toy.
Mk1 88 Golf GTi cabriolet 1.8 DX. Daily drive.
Membership No. 323
Jack92
Site Admin
Posts: 860
Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:16 am
fill in the right answer: 15
Location: Chatham, UK

Re: Brake System/Pedal Help

Post by Jack92 »

Nah wasn’t to bad,
Pressure bled from the master cylinder through passenger front for the master. Then bled up as normal. Did have an issue with driver front but bleeding the old fashioned way on the pedal sorted it. Needed more pressure in the pipe lines than the kit would give me.


Jack
South East

VW Scirocco Scala MK2 1.8 Inj
Jaguar XE

www.jackgregory.me.uk