[Glenryck]

Hi all my 2001 4 motion has a small brake problem when you first touch the brake pedal there is a very small delay in the brakes biting you feel like there is nothing so you press a bit harder and they then fade in and start to bite. The brake pedal isn't spongey or soft and it is worse in the wet its almost like the pads have moved back away from the disc to far you can panic if your not used to it as my wife found out. The disc and pads are almost new a mechanic mate has said it could be the brake servo or abs pump he has bled the brakes with a proper compressed air bleeder and there was no air and it is still the same help please before I start replacing bits cheers.

 

[cuprabob]

Sounds like pad material to me. Different pad materials have different characteristics with regards to feel and initial bite based on temperature.

 

[horatio]

Ive got a similar problem on my mk4 estate. The first push of the pedal feels spongey but if I take my foot off the brake and brake again the bite point is alot stronger. I had the rear pads and discs replaced last year in December, observed bedding in procedures

. The fronts are looking worn but cant tell if i take the wheels off. There is slight judder as well but not massive. I'll have to have to look at the service book tonight. Any ideas?

 

[JamesBaby]

I suspect you have lazy or sticking calipers, or the pads could be not sliding properly too. As a start I suggest a full strip down, clean, and re-grease I have done a tutorial and it is really easy to do. Make sure all guides are free of corrosion and dirt, and use the correct grease.

http://www.r32oc.com/topic/44339-guide-to-restoring-brake-performance-cleaning-your-brake-setup/

Also on the rear calipers there is the handbrake mechanism. This can be damaged if people don't use the correct tool to screw them back when replacing pad etc. The fronts can simply be pushed back, but the rears have to be screwed back else you damage it.

 

[JamesBaby]

Oh I just remembered something too. Make sure that the retaining clip that is on each of front calipers is installed as per the picture in that thread. Otherwise it too will also give you that delayed/spongy feeling. It is easily installed incorrectly.

 

[CorradoR32]

Ive got a similar problem on my mk4 estate. The first push of the pedal feels spongey but if I take my foot off the brake and brake again the bite point is alot stronger.

Next time you start the car, rest your foot on the brake pedal quite firmly whilst cranking. When it fires up, the pedal should drop slightly, suggesting there is good vacuum in the servo. If not, check for any air leaks that could compromise servo functionality.

If all checks out fine, time to move onto the other good suggestions the others have described!

 

[Glenryck]

Cheers for the info I have just started the car with my foot on the brake about 2 seconds after it started the pedal dropped about 5 to 10mm so I will have a strip down as per the jamesbaby thread cheers guys great help.