Did i break it??

[DiverDave]

Hi Guys,
Im the proud owner of a 'W' Reg 1.9 TDI Bora and on Sunday i replaced my front brake pads. The job was easy enough and done within an hour and a half. However, the brakes just don't feel right. I know they will need time to bed in etc etc, but i later read the Haynes and missed out a step and im not sure if its causing my problem.

Basically, i pushed the pistons back in without bleeding the brake fluid from the bleed nipple, i just let it flow back up to the reservoir where i took a bit out. The brakes feel a bit spongy for starters, so i bled the brakes, but to no avail.

Now, with the engine off, the brake pedal is pretty much rock solid (even without pumping the pedal), starting the engine, the pedal then starts moving. The car stops pretty well as far as i can tell, but sometimes when im stationary the pedal will just carry on sinking, it doesn't reach the floor, but it's not far off.

Have i broken something by not bleeding the brake fluid whilst re-tracting the pistons? Is there something a novice mechanic like me can do or check??

Any help advice would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Dave

[jv0901]

That's how I do it too. If the brakes are feeling spongy however there may be air in the system. Check the brake lines for any leaks and keep checking the reservoir to see if fluid level goes down.

Might be worth spending 30mins bleeding system anyway.

Let me know how it goes.

[lee99]

Hi Dave,

I had the same problem with my brakes after my rear pads were done by a backstreet garage. Apparently when you bleed the bora brakes there is a system you have to complete like back left front right etc. its in the haynes manual if it isnt done properly air will get into the system/master cylinder and cause your spongey feeling had to get mine sorted out by a vw specialist for £50 quid. Hopefully somebody like crasher can give you proper advice. hope this helps.

[Crasher]

The best advice I can give is to look at the date of the original post. By now his pads will have bedded into the original worn discs and will fell better.

[DiverDave]

Hi Guys, not been online for a while as i've had a lot of things going on so apologies for not responding sooner. Anyway, there isn't much change in my brakes to be honest, they still feel a bit spongy but only when at a standstill.

On Saturday i 'tested' them and they stopped me fine. It's when ive stopped that the peddle just seems to slowly sink into the carpet.

Im tempted to buy one of those Eezi Bleed kits and bleed the system whilst changing the brake fluid at the same time. Think i will wait for some better weather before i attempt the job, but will keep everyone posted.

Thanks again for the replies.