breaking problems

Check the hose that goes from the vacuum pump to the brake booster. It's a common failure point. When mine failed, it cracked on the bottom side of the hose - I had to sort of feel around the hose to find the crack. If you aren't familiar with where this hose is, look at the right side (driver side) of the valve cover. The vacuum pump is the round aluminum item (about 4" in diameter) on the end of the valve cover. On the back side of the pump is a 1" diameter black hose that goes to the brake booster on the firewall. Inspect it carefully using a mirror or your fingers. I can supply pictures if that helps. When this hose cracks you loose vacuum to the booster. That results in a hard pedal and loss of braking force. It's about a $40 part, takes 5 minutes to replace.

Todd Seattle,WA '86 GTI, Red of course. (exciting racey car) 272,000 miles '01 Golf TDI, silver. (new work car) 260,000 miles '87 Golf, Polar Silver. (retired work car) 654,000 miles

Not to become a jerk, but 'breaking'? or 'braking'? Or are your brakes breaking? It is hard to read the message when the wrong words are used...

First, be very careful, this could be dangerous and cause an accident. I'd follow the following steps to help figure out what's up:

1. Inspect--inspect the pads, rotors and master cylinder's booster. Bad pads (too worn) and rotors too thin will cause this. Low vacuum at the booster at highway speeds, coupled with a leaking reservoir can do the same thing--hard to apply brakes.
2. Monitor wheel temperature when the situation occurs. This requires a highway test, basically duplicate the conditions and come to a full stop. Park the vehicle, and check each wheel for heat--how hot are they? Are all wheels the same temperature?

And secondly, if you have an unidentified problem with your brakes and have no clue as to how to fix it then go to a specialist and get it fixed. Yes, it will cost money, but not as much money as it would if the defect leads to someone's injury or death. I mean this isn't the car radio you are fixing, this is in fact a critical system.

Thanks, I'm going to see a specialist this Wed. When I break the first 2 times I press on the peddle are fine, however the third time I have difficulties.

really sounds like a vacuum problem to me, but having someone look at it is probably best

nate

Damn it, the word is BRAKE not break. Break is 'something has failed or broken', brake is what stops the car. Please use the right words.

You are describing low vacuum generation problems, likely the vacuum pump is failing, or there is a leak.

Thanks,

I was breaking up after I read that I replied with "break" instead of "brake". I didn't do it on purpose, it just happened, sorry.

Thanks for the correction and diagnosis.

Is this where we start discussing the spelling of "pedal"?

:)

John

Oh, dear dog, let's not go there! If you try, I'm sure everyone will put their foot down.

If your press on the petal, and the breaks don't work. you'll prolly bend the bumber!

(I think I actually fit four of my peeves in that one ...)

Maybe even six.