I've just picked up the car after it's annual service and MOT, but I also had vRS calipers and new 256mm discs and new pads fitted to the back.

The problem seems to be the front brakes. They just don't bite as sharply as they did. The pedal travels further before biting and it doesn't feel as good as it did. They still stop me, but is it something I have to get used to or is there something wrong?

Last time I had a brake fluid change I used DOT 4.1 but I don't know what they used this time. Would the fluid make a big difference? The garage is a VAG specialist so I imagine they use whatever Skoda recommends.

Any ideas please? I'm a bit worried about it because I'm doing a lot of driving the family over Christmas. :S

Thanks

New pads take a while to bed in, give it a few hard brakes from about 30mph (when the weather condition allow) making sure you don't lock up.

Might help.

If there is more pedal travel then maybe there is a bit of air somewhere?

If there is air in the system, it usually shows as a mushy pedal rather than further travel. That said, it is possible they haven't put enough fluid in - although I think that is fairly hard to do.

Cheers for the replies peeps.

It was only the rear brakes that were new so it shouldn't be a bedding in issue as the fronts do most of the work anyway and they were fine before the service.

It could be air in the system. Can air make its own way out or will it need bleeding again and new fluid?

Ta

How is your hand brake? Do you need to pull it up very hi when you activated it. The way this hand brake is adjusted it has something to do with the pedal travel. Talk to the VAG shop and explain then about your pedal travel.

Isaac

Since getting synthetic brake fluid in mine (or do I mean silicone fluid? The dot 5.1 stuff anyway) I found initial bite to be less aggressive but on the plus side I get much less fade when really pressing on.

Most braking takes place at the front, but the fitting of rear pads/discs should still be effective even when new. I fitted new pads & discs on ther rear and braking remained the same, I avoided heavy breaking for a few hundred miles. When I fitted new pads & discs at the front, I applied the brakes gently, the nose of the car dived, and nearly left the seat. LOL

If not happy with brakes, suggest taking the car back, and tell garage not happy with brakes.

I use DOT 4 on my brake fluid renewals as Skoda quoted.

Edited 24 December, 200916 yr by giandougl

I have had an ongoing issue with my brakes, similiar type of complaint. I found that greater application of handbrack has much improved mine, ie pulling it further when parking.

Try lift it partially up when driving along to bed in.

ok guys,

this is very common problem after bleeding brake fluid of fitting new front brake pads and discs on these!

This is what you have to do.

On the master cylinder there are two bleeding nipples, make sure your brake fluid reservoar is full, then gently crack one bleeding niplle at the time until fluid comes out.

Once you do this, pump the brake pedal several times hard and repeat procedure until you archive good solid pedal. If this doesnt work, then you have tiny air lock further down the line.

Regards

I have had an ongoing issue with my brakes, similiar type of complaint. I found that greater application of handbrack has much improved mine, ie pulling it further when parking.

Try lift it partially up when driving along to bed in.

Thats why I post above the following: How is your hand brake? Do you need to pull it up very hi when you activated it. The way this hand brake is adjusted it has something to do with the pedal travel. Talk to the VAG shop and explain then about your pedal travel.

Isaac

Glad I'm not the only one out there with brake problems. :(

I'm going to take it back to the garage when I get back home and ask them to either adjust the handbrake/pedal travel and check the system for air. I imagine they've used standard DOT4 fluid but I don't suspect that's the problem.

I drove 200 miles yesterday and the brakes are still safe, just not the way I like 'em

I'll report back next week. In the meantime...