1996 Volkswagen Golf brake pedal soft

MGLOCEAN04

MEMBER
1996 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
130,000 MILES

I've had my share of problem and bad mechanics that looked at my brakes. I started loosing pressure in my brake pedal a few month ago. It got worst and took it to a mechanics who replaced the rear shoes and told me I had no leak. I ended up loosing my pedal brake after 100 miles because there was a bleed screw that was not tighten (no comment). Got that fixed and got my car back with still a soft pedal. It does not go to the floor but it does not feel hard enough to make me think that I am safe driving this car. From what I can tell, there is no leak anywhere, the pads are fine.
One thing I noticed, when the car is off, the brake pedal is fine but when I turn on the engine then, it sinks not completely but enough to make me worried.
I am trying to sell this car and I don't want to spend too much money or any with it. Any suggestions?

1 Reply

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

With the type of rear brakes, if they are drum, these are non servo, so each time the pedal is pressed, the shoe contacts the drum, and the adjuster should drop down if needed, this causes the pistons in the cylinders to move out, and stay out, so the bores get sludged up, when new shoes are installed, these pistons are pushed back thru the sludge, and usually start to leak, It's a good idea to replace wheel cyls with the shoes, it's cheap insurance against leaks. If you are sure it dosent leak, pull up on your parking brake, does your pedal get better? If yes the rear adjustment is off. If not, you probably do have a leak. Or at least air in the system.