Brakes get tighter as they warm up.

Since the lines are new, I'd bet on the M/C pushrod not having any freeplay. If you push on the top of the pedal with your fingertips, you should feel about 1/4" of play before the pushrod hits the piston.

Speedy Jim

I'll bet that you don't have any pedal free play. Here's how to check it:

Gently, with a single finger, grab the brake pedal and see if it will pull rearwards. If it will, then your pedal shaft is binding up and isn't allowing the the pedal to release all the way.

Then put your finger on the face of the pedal and gently push. The pedal should move 1/4 to 1/2" before the pushrod bottoms out in the MC.

If you fail either test, you need to fix this problem.

----------------------------------------------- Jim Adney snipped-for-privacy@vwtype3.org Madison, WI 53711 USA

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It won't pull rearwards at all. I can push on it and it moves around

It should move easily for the 1/4" and then you should feel the pushrod bottom out in the MC with a thunk. If you don't feel the thunk, or don't know what you're looking for, then find someone who can show you, or check out another old VW.

----------------------------------------------- Jim Adney snipped-for-privacy@vwtype3.org Madison, WI 53711 USA

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Well it's stiff, and then gets stiffer around a quarter inch in, so you are probably right. I'll see about getting the freeplay adjusted. Thanks!

I have come across small defects in a wheel cylinder piston seal causing that cylinder to 'pump up' and not release - or only very slowly. Dificult I know, but when the brakes go stiff, try jacking up the car and rotating each wheel by hand. Or just replace all cylinders :-)