2000 GTI vr6 w/ mintex redboxes and ATE powerstops mushy pedal; what did I do wrong?

358 Views 3 Replies 2 Participants Last post by jackr, Feb 9, 2002

jackr

Discussion Starter · Feb 8, 2002

Okay, just got the new rotors and pads on the front and I flushed out the system with new brake fluid, and the brakes don't feel right. The pedal goes to the floor, the abs does kick on, but the pedal feels mushy and I don't stop nearly as fast as I did before.
Both pads and rotors are new, replaced both sides on the front.
Used valvoline brand synthetic brake fluid, dot4 ..
The passenger wheel is much hotter and smells more of brakes than the driver's side does after a 10 minute spirited spin around the block.
I flushed the system by hooking a hose to an empty brake fluid container to the bleed valve of each caliper, opening the bleed valve and pumping the brakes. During the process I made sure to keep the brake fluid reservoir topped off. The fluid I used said it was compatible and could be mixed with any other kind of fluid.
All wheels were pumping nice and clear fluid with no bubbles.
I flushed all 4 wheels.
And I still have mushy pedal. Is it a matter of breaking in the brake pads and rotors?
It just doesn't feel right with the pedal going to the floor. Also, it's not stiff with the car off like it used to be ..
They feel like they need to be bled, but fluid was pumping clear ..
What could I have messed up?

[Modified by jackr, 6:07 PM 2-8-2002]

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TyrolSport

· #2 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: 2000 GTI vr6 w/ mintex redboxes and ATE powerstops mushy pedal; what did I do wrong? (jackr)

You haven't bled them properly. You said you opened the bleed screw and pumped the brakes? I hope you had someone helping you to close the screw on the pedal upswing.........if not you were sucking air into the system....
-Mike P

[Modified by tyrolkid, 3:24 PM 2-8-2002]

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jackr

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: 2000 GTI vr6 w/ mintex redboxes and ATE powerstops mushy pedal; what did I do wrong? (tyrolkid)

Right.
I'm a moron.
Just occured to me right after I posted.
Sorry, brain is a little off.
Out late at a Cowboy Mouth concert last nite, been at work all day ..
Still recovering

Thanks, sorry for the trouble!

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jackr

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: 2000 GTI vr6 w/ mintex redboxes and ATE powerstops mushy pedal; what did I do wrong? (jackr)

Okay, I take that back.
Just bled the brakes at all 4 wheels ..
They bled real easy, there was no air in the lines at all.
Re-bled them again, just to be sure ..
Pedal is still mushy as all [email protected]
So, brakes are all bled up, but they still go to the floor and at 50 I couldn't lock the ABS and the car swam all over the place. Also, the front passenger brake is most definately running hotter than the driver's side; I can smell and feel it.
As for the front passenger brake, I'm assuming that the caliper must in some way be dirty or sticking so will take it apart some tomorrow and de-crudify it, see if that helps ..
Could it be something in the fluid?
Used Valvoline Syn dot3/dot4 fluid ..
Should I switch to something else?
What else could it be?

[Modified by jackr, 9:24 PM 2-8-2002]

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