I treated my Fabia Greenline 1.4TDi to new discs and pads, opting to upgrade to EBC Turbogroove and EBC Greenstuff pads after being disapointed with the life span of the original VAG products which were ridged and worn out after 30k.

My Skoda Dealer, Meaden of Sway, had no issues with me suppling these which came direct from EBC, and they fitted them during the 4th service.

I gave the brake 400 miles of normal driving with no hard use to make use everything was ok with a considerable difference felt straight away.

Following EBC's reconmendations (along with a road which used to be a runway) a bed in from 60mph to 10mph repeatedly 6 times. Slight burning smell from the pads but the instructions said to expect this, and so would I ! The car stopped rapidly and in a straight line which was very reasuring. I then carried on with an enthusastic drive home, making full use of my new brakes!

However, a week on and my brake peddle is spongy. They work but need a good shove to get serious bite, so I'm wondering why? Checked fluid level its ok, but is coming up towards its 2nd change so I'm wondering if it got boiled. If I pump the peddle it gets hard but starts to sink. If I hold the car on the brake peddle in traffic it remains firm.

Suggestions please before I book it back in £££££££

thanks

Edited 3 January, 201313 yr by FabiaGreenline

Brake fluid will naturally absorb moisture over its life so it could be worth having the fluid changed.

When brake fluid is new it has a boiling point in excess of 250 deg C. Standard testing is to add 3% water to a test portion and repeat the boiling point test and the result (IIRC IAW SAE 1705) must be greater than 155 deg C. Why 3% water? This is the expected moisture take up over a two year period.

So yes, if your fluid is nearing its change point, you may have generated some vapour in the system which is causing a bit of sponginess in the system. But if you have changed pads and discs a change of fluid is probably in order.

I wouldn't imagine repeatedly slamming on the anchors from 60mph would have done it much good tbh. I would have just driven normally despite the recommendations and waited for them to bed in naturally

I wouldn't imagine repeatedly slamming on the anchors from 60mph would have done it much good tbh. I would have just driven normally despite the recommendations and waited for them to bed in naturally

+1. EBC brake are known for people to just hop in their cars after fitment speed off down the road slamming on to see how much better they are compared to OEM brakes, doing so causes the pads to remove the anti-rust film from the discs to the pads which then glaze the pads in this film making them not work aswel as they should, and in your case giving a spongy pedal.

new pads always feel a little spongy until they have gone through a few heat cycles

Just an update, popped it in to Meadens Skoda, Sway my local dealer who fitted them during the service. They changed the fluid and took out the pads and checked everything (without additional charges), and tested the car. Peddle restored and bites and all is well again, so just goes to show fluid does age.

Just an update, popped it in to Meadens Skoda, Sway my local dealer who fitted them during the service. They changed the fluid and took out the pads and checked everything (without additional charges), and tested the car. Peddle restored and bites and all is well again, so just goes to show fluid does age.

This why Skodas servicing guidelines says every 2years replace brake fluid