Changed my rear brakes a couple of weeks ago, both disc and pads, and since then the brake pedal have been squishy. When the car has been sitting around for a couple of hours, i need to pump the pedal to get the brakes working (can be quite interesting if i forget it), does anyone know what could be the problem? 

 

I feels like there could be air in the system, but that would be kind of odd since the car is only 3 years old, and the system hasnt been opened.

 

I'm not mechanical so only non-mechanic driver thoughts from me.

 

Winding the calipers back and new (not worn) pads and discs would normally raise the level of brake fluid, did you check the level of brake fluid before, during and after removing and replacing the discs and pads?

 

If the car is 3 years old a change of brake fluid would be good and with that you could bleed the brakes too.

 

You don't want the AABS block missed out really nor any air in it so a VW appropriate scan tool to do the process of bleeding the brakes can also be useful too (not that many including garages might bother with such.

 

Otherwise new pads and discs particularly if different make or type from previous can feel different on the pedal (but not squishy like air) or a coincidence and something to do with brake servo and it feel (again unlikely by your description but English might not be your first language).  

37 minutes ago, nta16 said:

Winding the calipers back and new (not worn) pads and discs would normally raise the level of brake fluid, did you check the level of brake fluid before, during and after removing and replacing the discs and pads?

 

What relevance does that have?

Did the brake fluid get changed for fresh brake fluid when it was two years old? 

31 minutes ago, J.R. said:

What relevance does that have?

Killmanau put system has been not been opened, I just wondered if the brake fluid level had been checked at any point or if any fluid had been removed or added and as English might not be Killmanau's first language if he meant he hadn't bleed the system - better to ask than assume.

 

You are the one that knows about mechanical matters why not add your thoughts to getting a solution or helping rather than always worrying about what I post, but if I've put something wrong here then please say so as well, if you want to or feel you must.

 

 

3 minutes ago, @Lee said:

Did the brake fluid get changed for fresh brake fluid when it was two years old? 

 I may be wrong but I thought first brake fluid change was at three years, or it was at some point with Skoda UK at least - but perhaps that's not the case at all, or ever, or in Denmark, I don't mind being wrong, I often am and this is the internet after all.  😄

 

One reason I post on unanswered threads is that by doing so others arrive, I have such magnetism.  😆

 

1 minute ago, nta16 said:

I may be wrong but I thought first brake fluid change was at three years, or it was at some point with Skoda UK at least - but perhaps that's not the case at all, or ever, or in Denmark, I don't mind being wrong, I often am and this is the internet after all.  

 

One reason I post on unanswered threads is that by doing so others arrive, I have such magnetism.  😆

 

 

I'm in your neighbour to the south (Germany) and they change the break fluid every two years here for me which is what I believe is the recommended timescale. 

14 minutes ago, @Lee said:

I'm in your neighbour to the south (Germany) and they change the break fluid every two years here for me which is what I believe is the recommended timescale. 

Thanks.  I'm in UK/Britain/England its Killmanau (OP) who's location is shown as Denmark.

 

I thought, Skoda UK at least, at some point, had first brake fluid change at 3 years from new then every two years after that but as I put I could well be wrong/misremembered.

 

5 minutes ago, nta16 said:

I thought, Skoda UK at least, at some point, had first brake fluid change at 3 years from new then every two years after that but as I put I could well be wrong/misremembered.

 

 

Oh maybe. I've never bought a new car myself as I prefer to let others take the first big hit of depreciation and fault finding.

 

51 minutes ago, @Lee said:

Oh maybe. I've never bought a new car myself as I prefer to let others take the first big hit of depreciation and fault finding.

Very wise.  Unfortunately if you're one that Sod's Law likes to kick in the tender parts about cars like me then the first owner, or certain manufacturers, create or put in latent faults for the subsequent owner to discover and have the joy of the experience and expenditure.  😃  With cars and the motor trade I've had the opposite of a Midas touch, no matter how much I pay or look after them they very rarely look after me, with the exception of Japanese manufacturers but I'm sure that'd change if I bought a new (or new-ish) one now.  😄

 

Brake fluid was changed last year, and its at max right now, so should be fine.

 

On my drive today i tried braking hard, and it seems to have helped a little

Take care with brakes don't overheat them new. 

 

Brakes, which includes the tyres, are the most important thing on and with a car so with this issue if you are not sure about it, the cause and the remedy, then take the car to a good garage to be sorted as you always want fully working brakes for the sake of yourself, your passengers and everyone else, cars do not matter people do.

 

You never know when an accident might happen, my wife's had a small bump in her Fabia this morning! and I've had enough accidents to know the importance of fully working brakes (steering, suspension).

 

18 hours ago, nta16 said:

Killmanau put system has been not been opened, I just wondered if the brake fluid level had been checked at any point or if any fluid had been removed or added and as English might not be Killmanau's first language if he meant he hadn't bleed the system - better to ask than assume.

 

You are the one that knows about mechanical matters why not add your thoughts to getting a solution or helping rather than always worrying about what I post, but if I've put something wrong here then please say so as well, if you want to or feel you must.

 

So no relevance then.

 

What you put that appeared wrong, now confirmed by you was asking the OP if he had checked the fluid level 3 times while changing his rear brake pads,  a stupid question that has no relevance to his spongy brakes, the fluid level will have risen in the reservoir from the pad change.

 

To the OP, inspect the pads that you removed, if they have uneven wear due to rusting of the outer and inner surface of the swept area of the disc the new pads will initially be seating on these raised areas which can cause sponginess until the new pads bed in and take the shape of the ones removed.

1 hour ago, J.R. said:

So no relevance then.

 

What you put that appeared wrong, now confirmed by you was asking the OP if he had checked the fluid level 3 times while changing his rear brake pads,  a stupid question that has no relevance to his spongy brakes, the fluid level will have risen in the reservoir from the pad change.

No relevance that you can see - and I am not willing to explain to you given your return to trolling.  I made the mistake of giving you a reply as so much time had passed since you last pursued me but you have returned to your acerbic dismissive attitude which you have had sometimes to backtrack with others,

but I know you won't for me so once again I will ignore your barbs and questions.

 

 

1 hour ago, J.R. said:

To the OP, inspect the pads that you removed, if they have uneven wear due to rusting of the outer and inner surface of the swept area of the disc the new pads will initially be seating on these raised areas which can cause sponginess until the new pads bed in and take the shape of the ones removed.

:shakeshead: like a one legged man starting an arse-kicking competition 🤣

 

I was responding to your request

 

22 hours ago, nta16 said:

but if I've put something wrong here then please say so as well

 

And request the same of you regarding the text of mine that you have emboldened please.

I can remember on some service manuals was option after brake pads & disk change requires release an air from the system.