Good morning, I tried searching but none similar to my issue.

Currently the brakes on my missus' vRS are terrible, when braking it feels like theirs little braking power, and almost like the brakes are going "on & off", not in a drastic abs style but similar. (Particularly noticeable with low speed braking, almost coasting to a stop with light braking)

This all began when the rear discs and pads got replaced several thousand miles ago, it did it every now & again, now it's got worse and is pretty much doing it every time. The pedal also feels quite spongey like theirs no real bite? Can someone suggest some possible cures? I'm lead to believe vag rear callipers are prone to premature death? Brake fluid? Brakes need bled? HELP??!

Thanks in advance.

Edited 22 December, 201213 yr by Mr Max

I've had a similar problem in the past after having something done to the breaks (can't remember what). Garage got air in the system and they were spongy and useless. Normally, brakes are fantastic.

I've had calliper issues but that was them sticking on and I think is more common to find that. I'd get it into a garage ASAP, wouldn't expect it to cost a lot to fix

Good morning, I tried searching but none similar to my issue.

Currently the brakes on my missus' vRS are terrible, when braking it feels like theirs little braking power, and almost like the brakes are going "on & off", not in a drastic abs style but similar. (Particularly noticeable with low speed braking, almost coasting to a stop with light braking)

This all began when the rear discs and pads got replaced several thousand miles ago, it did it every now & again, now it's got worse and is pretty much doing it every time. The pedal also feels quite spongey like theirs no real bite? Can someone suggest some possible cures? I'm lead to believe vag rear callipers are prone to premature death? Brake fluid? Brakes need bled? HELP??!

Thanks in advance.

Air in the system, no doubt. As it has been many miles since the air got in, it will have travelled through the entire system by now.You'll need a pressure-bleed (garage). Hope fully, it'll will be forced out of the ABS valve-block, if it's got on there. Brake "feel" should always be firm, unless air has got in or the master-cylinder seals have gone, or there's a leak!Don't listen to any brake-fitter or mechanic who claims it will "bed-in". I'd recommend you change out the fluid, as air-entrapment encourages moisture-adsorption, which makes it hard to get rid of. Changes in brake-performance or "now and again" issues NEVER fix themselves- you're asking for trouble leaving it so long before addressing the fault(s).

Thanks for the replies, it's obviously going to the mechanic but just wanted a heads up before I took it there. I shall update as soon as its resolved. Thanks again.

Brake fluid is stupidly cheap and should be changed regularly as it's hydroscopic, I go with every 2 years but VW used to say 3 (well seat did). To bleed it start with the caliper furthest from the ABS unit and move to the next furthest away, a one way valve and pipe/container is all you need (Halfrauds for a fiver) but someone to pump the pedal and top up the reservoir helps. As for the ABS unit you can actuate it with VCDS, I've never bothered with pressure bleeding, it over complicated a simple process.

Im the other way round, id rather use a pressure bleeder than use vcds to activate the abs unit, although i've never has problems with it personaly i know other garages have had problems "frying circuite boards" and what not... damaging the ecu if not done properly. Like i say, never done this myself just heard people mention it so have shy'd away from doing it myself.

i personaly find the pressure bleeder very easy to use anyway.

It's entirely up to you...ABS valve-blocks have numerous galleries for fluid, c/w valves & sensors; a pressure-bleeder can flush a system far faster than manually bleeding it, uses a higher, constant flowrate at greater pressure than someone intermittently pressing a pedal.

Having the rear brakes seize and lose the back-end on a wet twisty road at night would convince me to get this sorted asap & check the entire braking system.

In any case, good to see it will be checked over soon.