Author Topic: HELP! Brakes not releasing... (Read 4198 times)

veedubcanuck · « **on:** February 26, 2009, 03:47:04 pm »

So here is the deal. 1985 Golf, when I drive the car from cold the brakes work fine as I keep driving the front brakes start to drag... I have replaced EVERYTHING! New front calipers, rear wheel cyls. All new brake lines and even just put in a new master cyl. I even replaced the two rear proportioning valves. As I drive the car the pedal also begins to get really firm as the front brakes begin to drag... What the hell can this be? I'm so fed up.....

the caveman · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2009, 06:51:42 pm »

brake pedal dragging or rear cables too tight causing slight drag. possible the calipers sat on the shelf too long and are not realising after pressing. did it all happen after replacing everything or one thing at a time?

veedubcanuck · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2009, 07:42:03 pm »

That is what I was thinking but how do you adjust that?? I could not see any adjustment under the dash at the pedal.

veedubcanuck · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2009, 09:01:54 pm »

Do you know how it should be set?

Thanks for the help!

burn_your_money · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2009, 09:35:51 pm »

It could be the brake hoses collapsing

fatmobile · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2009, 03:08:18 am »

Yep, you said you changed brake lines,..
Did you change the rubber lines?
They can fall apart inside and act like a check valve, letting pressure into the calipers but not allowing pressure to release.

veedubcanuck · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2009, 09:41:23 am »

Hmmm, I never changed the flex lines..... I just went out and drove the car again. It starts to act up after the first couple of stops. I got out and cracked open the lines at the master cyl. (front brake lines) and fluid came out and the calipers released..... Can the brake booster cause this? Or is it the pedal not travelling back far enough as suggested? How do you adjust it properly?

CODE4LS1 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2009, 01:16:30 pm »

I had this problem once with a MK1........found out there was air in the line. I would try a full 4-corner brake bleed and see if that helps. FWIW, I have always had a little trouble bleeding brakes on all MK1 VW's.....but maybe it's just me.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2009, 10:03:24 am »

I doubt it's the rod length. It's not something that goes out of adjustment (usually) There are a lot more likely possibilities.

By letting the fluid out at the MC, you just eliminated the sliders.

Have a look at the flex lines, if they are cracked they should be replaced. They typically crack where the rubber meets the metal. You may need to bend them to see the cracks.

Are you 100% sure that you have the correct MC in there?

veedubcanuck · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2009, 02:43:58 pm »

It's fixed!

I shortened the rod 2 turns, bled the brakes again. and all is well now. Thanks everyone for the help!

Rabbit TD · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2009, 09:51:57 pm »

Quote from: "veedubcanuck"

It's fixed!

I shortened the rod 2 turns, bled the brakes again. and all is well now. Thanks everyone for the help!

Glad you got it straightened out, brakes can be a pain in the ass at times. So the push rod is adjustable, never saw one like that.

veedubcanuck · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2009, 09:47:46 am »

yeah, from the looks of it, all mk1 and mk2 cars are. Not sure on the 3's and up. I never knew this.

veedubcanuck · « **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2009, 04:04:17 pm »

It said to measure it before removal. Too late for me! I just turned it in 2 turns and tried it.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2009, 04:53:29 pm »

Right on, glad you got it sorted out