Re: brake problem

["Peter Loron" <peterl@cnw.com>]

If the pedal needs to be pressed harder to generate the same braking power,
then you probably need to have your brakes bled. If you have not changed the
brake fluid, do that too...every 2 years at the minimum. If you drive hard
and brake hard, you should change it more often. The brake fluid used in our
cars absorbs water which dramatically lowers the boiling point of the brake
fluid and steam in your brake lines is not a good thing when you're trying
to stop. Also water in the lines will corrode the guts of your brake system.
Icky.

Rotors need to be changed when they become scored or they wear below the
minimum safe thickness. Your mechanic should be able to tell you the figure,
or it should be in the Bentley manual.

Pads should be changed then they wear down to the minmum safe thickness...I
normally go to about 15-20% of the pad thickness then change.

Rotors and pads are not terribly expensive, especially if you do the work
yourself. I normally change both at the same time. Be safe. Check them
regularily, don't skimp on quality, and get your fluid changed at least
every 2 years.

-Pete
----- Original Message -----
From: <P2floyd@aol.com>
To: <jettaglx@igtc.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 1999 7:21 PM
Subject: Re: brake problem


> Whens a good time to replace your discs and pads anyway? I have a '97. I
haven't haven't had problemsyet but I can tell i hvae to press harder on
hard stops.
>
> -Patrick
>
>
> In a message dated Thu, 21 Oct 1999  6:37:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
"D.J. Bergesen" <achtungvr6@hotmail.com> writes:
>
> > Anyone ever have a Grooving problem on the front rotors? My 96.5+ GLX
11.3"
> > front rotors have about a 1/16th in. groove around the outer edge, and
it
> > doesn't seem normal (to me, the untrained VW owner). However, nothing
was
> > said at the 60K servicing, or when I had my left wheel bearing replaced.
No
> > braking problems either. I decided, for kicks, to take it to a brake
place
> > (not like a great shop, but one of those qwik-e places that specializes
in
> > swindling - at least in Tucson), and they told me they were destroyed,
and
> > that the brakes shouldn't even be working like this. Price: $120/ rotor.
I
> > KNOW I can get the 11.3" rotors for $82 per from Pep Boys.
> >
> > Any words of wisdom? It's not really a groove, more like the entire
suface
> > of the rotor is recessed about 1/16th in. from the outside part of the
rotor
> > - picture an opened can of tuna, where the tuna is flatened 1/16th in
down
> > from the rim of the can.
> >
> > Anyone??????
> >
> > DJB
> >
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