I have really spongey/poor brakes on my PD130 - has anyone else had this?

They are far worse than my 1.4MPi - which I fitted front disks for at 50k miles myself ! Only done 14k on my VRS so no excuse for brakes this poor reacting (its like the pedal goes half the travel to the floorpan).

It seems as if I am "pumping" up the brakes all the time. Just not reliable in the same way as the MPi and certainly substandard in my expectation.

Although in most circumstances it causes no problems with braking, with the "short/sudden" braking required in low distance/low speed proximity its far more important. I feel better to be sure they are looked at and are taking mine to dealers.

Anyone else similar experience, I would be interested. It's clear that many have "updated" the disks - but I think I am talking about something far different. Like it needs rebleeding from scratch.....

Worth getting it checked out, but the main thing I found is that coz of the nose diving going on, it doesnt feel like you're slowing down much.

Whether this is what you are experiencing is hard to say.

sometimes the pads can glaze , especially if the car isn't driven enthusiastically occasionally , this will give poor pedal response/feel

the best way to de-glaze is to do some very heavy braking stops from a reasonable speed (making sure no-one is behind you) things should improve after this

of course you could have some air in the system , so taking it to the dealers maybe the best thing to do for your peace of mind

I think you may be right about the glazing, but also it may not be the whole story like you say, for piece of mind the dealers is the best bet.

To be honest, I have driven the MPi exactly the same way for a very good amount of miles without noticing the brakes, so unless its because the VRS has twice the amount of discs (in favour of the rear drums), I'd be inclined to think its something more specific to the car.

(Naturally, you'd believe the VRS in fact would have superior brakes to the MPI 1.4 but I can stop on a dime on those ... and I changed the pads+discs myself on that car fairly recently - Bosch discs, stock EBC pads). Obviously not having done much of a bad job it seems.

Performance issues, I can handle with driving with (like the stutter issue)! Bad brakes however just aren't worth risking. It very almost caused me an accident claim, and that just isn't right.

the vRS brakes are pretty **** to be honest, i've heard uprating your brake fluid is one way to help along with fitting uprated pads unless you want to go to the expense of a big disc conversion.

OK - I don't cane the car but do occasionally 'give it some' and the brakes are perfectly up to it - far better than the disc and drum setup of my last car.

Seriously suspect it needs bleeding.

Especially from what you say of having to pump the brakes.

Get it checked out, soonest.

Most dealers will charge around £30 for a fluid change and brake inspection which is well worth it imo if you have any doubts. No idea how old your car is, but they recommend a change every 2 years....

Chris

I've wondered if the reason why some vRS drivers have good brakes - and others bad - is that some have ASP, and some ESP.

Who knows.

Please note - if you do want to get your brakes hot - do not come to a complete stop - keep moving a little. Reason being really hot pads + disks produce stuff that can stick on your disk (like a finger mark). This mark is almost impossible to shift - and can get worse; by lifting off just before you come to a stop - and allowing the pads/disk to cool a little - you should avoid this.

Personally, I agree with you - there isn't the initial bite you get with other Fabias. I also find that the brakes are really bad when cold - but better when warm.

bearing in mind larger cars (like the Golf) use the same size disks - it suggests to me that there is something wrong with the design.

I've thought about fitting sports pads - with a bit more bite. They might wear the disk a little quicker - but if it saves an accident...

D

Mintex extremes are an option I'm looking at, especially as they are a bit of a bargin price.

bearing in mind larger cars (like the Golf) use the same size disks - it suggests to me that there is something wrong with the design.

I've thought about fitting sports pads - with a bit more bite. They might wear the disk a little quicker - but if it saves an accident...

D

Bearing in mind the VRS is actually quite a bit heavier (45kg IIRC) than a similar engined Golf.... It's in a different league to other fabias in terms of weight with a 1.4 mpi coming in around 1150kg (Depending on trim) and the VRS at a porky 1310kg.

I have just gone back from 312's to 288's and although the 288's are not as good overall, they are quite adequate for the car in standard form.

As mentioned Mintex Extreme's are excellent pads. They can be a bit noisy but shouldn't wear your discs any quicker and are and excellent upgrade for the price (About £40 a set)

Just make sure you follow the instruction when you bed them in

This could be a problem with a defective master cylinder, could it not?

We had the same brake problem with our TDI Beetle, which has basically the same engine, and thus presumably the same master cylinder.

deffo a problem.. my vRS's brakes were fine........ (and original rear discs at 80k!)

Im experiencing same problems with my vrs, car due for first service in two weeks going to mention to dealer see if they can cure let you know later

The symtoms you describe sound like a failure in the master cylinder.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Like it needs rebleeding from scratch.....

So do it!

Im experiencing same problems with my vrs, car due for first service in two weeks going to mention to dealer see if they can cure let you know later

.

i`ve been complaining about my brakes since I bought the car

2 years ago ......... they are probably the worst brakes against

car performance I have ever known ... if I keep the car after

the warranty period .. I will fit 312`s

.

i`ve been complaining about my brakes since I bought the car

2 years ago ......... they are probably the worst brakes against

car performance I have ever known ... if I keep the car after

the warranty period .. I will fit 312`s

fitting 312's should only affect the warrenty on the brakes (can't see it affecting anything else..) run it by your dealers service manager.... you may fine you still have a warrenty on everything but the brakes, and if they can't make them work to your satisfaction... what the hell ?

We had a car in, and couldnt sort it out...changed everything we could.It had a fault were you had to pump the pedal to get anything like a good brake, and a further 4 miles or so it did it again.

We heard from another dealer that they changed the lot, hoses, pedal, m.cyl, calipers, abs unit, the whole sherbang, and it was still as bad.

I think there just rubbish brakes, as mine dont seem amazing for a "performance" car...im going to either 312 it, or try new pads, probebly Mintex M1144....

Sorry I have managed to leave myself out this topic been a bit busy. Sorry.

Anyway to bring to speed:

Took to another garage - (codename "PofB" !!)

(not my original Skoda franchise but another closer one I have used before only once without event).

It is now at15k. Car was already serviced at 10K by the original franchise (also purchased from them). ("WofP")

The new dealer "PofB", have (on paper) admitted (on behalf of the "other" dealers work "WofP") that it turned out to be"incorrectly adjusted brakes (handbrake)" by the original dealer.

They also charged me over £100, because they didn't have my original custom/service record on computer apparently. Ok well I am in no position to argue this.

They asked Q:"Do you know if its been adjusted"?

A: NO! Its only been serviced @ 10K by original dealership !

Not happy with having to shed cash. Trust me its not the end of this matter and I have discussed with Skoda UK cust services but will backup with more factual information.

Wasn't too satisfied with the answer of the original franchises service manager "WofP" who had the car, not even a hint towards an apology or prepared to admit any fault even though its on paper.

( Although in a way I can understand his perspecitive commercially, but also it reaffirms my feelings about this particular dealership and won't be in any rush to return - his "back up against the wall" approach wins no favours from me as a put out customer )

However on much better spirits with the other dealership involved, much more friendly, and were keen to find the problem. Likely to get my service and sales in the future.

The brakes HAVE improved.

Not dramatically I must say, but enough - I can tell the handbrake feels better and the brakes respond all round.

Perhaps 20%-30% better ? And no rear brake squeeling anymore!

Not sure about the "dipping" of the pedal it may have been subsequently related and I'll keep an eye on it.

I think there just rubbish brakes, as mine dont seem amazing for a "performance" car...

Thought this was a thread about Fabia brakes

i thought all furby brakes were that spongy till i read this thread

so i went out and bought a one man bleed kit and bled the brake

but first i topped up the resovior ...it took nearly 250ml of fluid :eek:

took it out for a test drive (yes i remembered to pump up the brakes before setting off)

first corner was at about 5 mph so no improvement was noticed as my foot barely touched the pedal

next was a t junction onto a main road so a very slow approach needed

then onto a long flat straight check the mirror righ foot onto the brake pedal

then scrape nose off the steering wheel :eek: and continue

i now have brakes that i am much more confidant with

time to take the dragon box up a few setings