breaking problems

Hi,
This is probably not related to VW jettas specifically, but I'll ask
anyway because it is happening in my 2001 jetta TDI. When I am
breaking sometimes at high speed it as if the breaks aren't catch. I
slow down, but gradually. At low speads the breaks catch very well
and stop the car.
The break peddle feels fine (stiff). It as if I get the feeling that
the breaks are heating up and preventing me from stopping. I think I
will contact the person who installed them between 1 and 2 years ago.
I don't think the breaks are worn out, because I had both the rotors
and breaks (all of them) replaced back then. I don't hear metal
sounds when I break. Any suggestions on what to check.

Barry

barry > wrote:

>Hi,
> This is probably not related to VW jettas specifically, but I'll ask
>anyway because it is happening in my 2001 jetta TDI. When I am
>breaking sometimes at high speed it as if the breaks aren't catch. I
>slow down, but gradually. At low speads the breaks catch very well
>and stop the car.
>The break peddle feels fine (stiff). It as if I get the feeling that
>the breaks are heating up and preventing me from stopping. I think I
>will contact the person who installed them between 1 and 2 years ago.
>I don't think the breaks are worn out, because I had both the rotors
>and breaks (all of them) replaced back then. I don't hear metal
>sounds when I break. Any suggestions on what to check.

Check the hose that goes from the vacuum pump to the brake
booster. It's a common failure point. When mine failed, it cracked
on the bottom side of the hose - I had to sort of feel around the hose
to find the crack.
If you aren't familiar with where this hose is, look at the
right side (driver side) of the valve cover. The vacuum pump is the
round aluminum item (about 4" in diameter) on the end of the valve
cover. On the back side of the pump is a 1" diameter black hose that
goes to the brake booster on the firewall. Inspect it carefully using
a mirror or your fingers. I can supply pictures if that helps.
When this hose cracks you loose vacuum to the booster. That
results in a hard pedal and loss of braking force.
It's about a $40 part, takes 5 minutes to replace.

Todd
Seattle,WA
'86 GTI, Red of course. (exciting racey car) 272,000 miles
'01 Golf TDI, silver. (new work car) 260,000 miles
'87 Golf, Polar Silver. (retired work car) 654,000 miles <- Gone to a new home
http://www.pureluckdesign.com <-Ferrari & VW stuff

On Fri, 29 Oct 2010 06:49:56 -0700 (PDT), barry >
wrote:

>Hi,
> This is probably not related to VW jettas specifically, but I'll ask
>anyway because it is happening in my 2001 jetta TDI. When I am
>breaking sometimes at high speed it as if the breaks aren't catch. I
>slow down, but gradually. At low speads the breaks catch very well
>and stop the car.
>The break peddle feels fine (stiff). It as if I get the feeling that
>the breaks are heating up and preventing me from stopping. I think I
>will contact the person who installed them between 1 and 2 years ago.
>I don't think the breaks are worn out, because I had both the rotors
>and breaks (all of them) replaced back then. I don't hear metal
>sounds when I break. Any suggestions on what to check.
>
>Barry

Not to become a jerk, but 'breaking'? or 'braking'? Or are your brakes
breaking? It is hard to read the message when the wrong words are
used...

First, be very careful, this could be dangerous and cause an accident.
I'd follow the following steps to help figure out what's up:

1. Inspect--inspect the pads, rotors and master cylinder's booster.
Bad pads (too worn) and rotors too thin will cause this. Low vacuum at
the booster at highway speeds, coupled with a leaking reservoir can do
the same thing--hard to apply brakes.

2. Monitor wheel temperature when the situation occurs. This requires
a highway test, basically duplicate the conditions and come to a full
stop. Park the vehicle, and check each wheel for heat--how hot are
they? Are all wheels the same temperature?

On 2010-10-30 14:24:33 +0200, PeterD said:

> On Fri, 29 Oct 2010 06:49:56 -0700 (PDT), barry >
> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>> This is probably not related to VW jettas specifically, but I'll ask
>> anyway because it is happening in my 2001 jetta TDI. When I am
>> breaking sometimes at high speed it as if the breaks aren't catch. I
>> slow down, but gradually. At low speads the breaks catch very well
>> and stop the car.
>> The break peddle feels fine (stiff). It as if I get the feeling that
>> the breaks are heating up and preventing me from stopping. I think I
>> will contact the person who installed them between 1 and 2 years ago.
>> I don't think the breaks are worn out, because I had both the rotors
>> and breaks (all of them) replaced back then. I don't hear metal
>> sounds when I break. Any suggestions on what to check.
>>
>> Barry
>
> Not to become a jerk, but 'breaking'? or 'braking'? Or are your brakes
> breaking? It is hard to read the message when the wrong words are
> used...
>
> First, be very careful, this could be dangerous and cause an accident.
> I'd follow the following steps to help figure out what's up:
>
> 1. Inspect--inspect the pads, rotors and master cylinder's booster.
> Bad pads (too worn) and rotors too thin will cause this. Low vacuum at
> the booster at highway speeds, coupled with a leaking reservoir can do
> the same thing--hard to apply brakes.
>
> 2. Monitor wheel temperature when the situation occurs. This requires
> a highway test, basically duplicate the conditions and come to a full
> stop. Park the vehicle, and check each wheel for heat--how hot are
> they? Are all wheels the same temperature?
>

And secondly, if you have an unidentified problem with your brakes and
have no clue as to how to fix it then go to a specialist and get it
fixed. Yes, it will cost money, but not as much money as it would if
the defect leads to someone's injury or death. I mean this isn't the
car radio you are fixing, this is in fact a critical system.

On Oct 30, 12:03*pm, krak > wrote:
> On 2010-10-30 14:24:33 +0200, PeterD said:
>
>
>
> > On Fri, 29 Oct 2010 06:49:56 -0700 (PDT), barry >
> > wrote:
>
> >> Hi,
> >> This is probably not related to VW jettas specifically, but I'll ask
> >> anyway because it is happening in my 2001 jetta TDI. * When I am
> >> breaking sometimes at high speed it as if the breaks aren't catch. *I
> >> slow down, but gradually. *At low speads the breaks catch very well
> >> and stop the car.
> >> The break peddle feels fine (stiff). * It as if I get the feeling that
> >> the breaks are heating up and preventing me from stopping. * I think I
> >> will contact the person who installed them between 1 and 2 years ago.
> >> I don't think the breaks are worn out, because I had both the rotors
> >> and breaks (all of them) replaced back then. *I don't hear metal
> >> sounds when I break. *Any suggestions on what to check.
>
> >> Barry
>
> > Not to become a jerk, but 'breaking'? or 'braking'? Or are your brakes
> > breaking? It is hard to read the message when the wrong words are
> > used...
>
> > First, be very careful, this could be dangerous and cause an accident.
> > I'd follow the following steps to help figure out what's up:
>
> > 1. Inspect--inspect the pads, rotors and master cylinder's booster.
> > Bad pads (too worn) and rotors too thin will cause this. Low vacuum at
> > the booster at highway speeds, coupled with a leaking reservoir can do
> > the same thing--hard to apply brakes.
>
> > 2. Monitor wheel temperature when the situation occurs. This requires
> > a highway test, basically duplicate the conditions and come to a full
> > stop. Park the vehicle, and check each wheel for heat--how hot are
> > they? Are all wheels the same temperature?
>
> And secondly, if you have an unidentified problem with your brakes and
> have no clue as to how to fix it then go to a specialist and get it
> fixed. Yes, it will cost money, but not as much money as it would if
> the defect leads to someone's injury or death. I mean this isn't the
> car radio you are fixing, this is in fact a critical system.

Thanks,
I'm going to see a specialist this Wed. When I break the first 2
times I press on the peddle are fine, however the third time I have
difficulties.

On 10/30/2010 11:30 PM, barry wrote:
> On Oct 30, 12:03 pm, > wrote:
>> On 2010-10-30 14:24:33 +0200, PeterD said:
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Fri, 29 Oct 2010 06:49:56 -0700 (PDT), >
>>> wrote:
>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>> This is probably not related to VW jettas specifically, but I'll ask
>>>> anyway because it is happening in my 2001 jetta TDI. When I am
>>>> breaking sometimes at high speed it as if the breaks aren't catch. I
>>>> slow down, but gradually. At low speads the breaks catch very well
>>>> and stop the car.
>>>> The break peddle feels fine (stiff). It as if I get the feeling that
>>>> the breaks are heating up and preventing me from stopping. I think I
>>>> will contact the person who installed them between 1 and 2 years ago.
>>>> I don't think the breaks are worn out, because I had both the rotors
>>>> and breaks (all of them) replaced back then. I don't hear metal
>>>> sounds when I break. Any suggestions on what to check.
>>
>>>> Barry
>>
>>> Not to become a jerk, but 'breaking'? or 'braking'? Or are your brakes
>>> breaking? It is hard to read the message when the wrong words are
>>> used...
>>
>>> First, be very careful, this could be dangerous and cause an accident.
>>> I'd follow the following steps to help figure out what's up:
>>
>>> 1. Inspect--inspect the pads, rotors and master cylinder's booster.
>>> Bad pads (too worn) and rotors too thin will cause this. Low vacuum at
>>> the booster at highway speeds, coupled with a leaking reservoir can do
>>> the same thing--hard to apply brakes.
>>
>>> 2. Monitor wheel temperature when the situation occurs. This requires
>>> a highway test, basically duplicate the conditions and come to a full
>>> stop. Park the vehicle, and check each wheel for heat--how hot are
>>> they? Are all wheels the same temperature?
>>
>> And secondly, if you have an unidentified problem with your brakes and
>> have no clue as to how to fix it then go to a specialist and get it
>> fixed. Yes, it will cost money, but not as much money as it would if
>> the defect leads to someone's injury or death. I mean this isn't the
>> car radio you are fixing, this is in fact a critical system.
>
> Thanks,
> I'm going to see a specialist this Wed. When I break the first 2
> times I press on the peddle are fine, however the third time I have
> difficulties.

really sounds like a vacuum problem to me, but having someone look at it
is probably best

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

On Sat, 30 Oct 2010 20:30:53 -0700 (PDT), barry >
wrote:

>On Oct 30, 12:03*pm, krak > wrote:
>> On 2010-10-30 14:24:33 +0200, PeterD said:
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Fri, 29 Oct 2010 06:49:56 -0700 (PDT), barry >
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >> Hi,
>> >> This is probably not related to VW jettas specifically, but I'll ask
>> >> anyway because it is happening in my 2001 jetta TDI. * When I am
>> >> breaking sometimes at high speed it as if the breaks aren't catch. *I
>> >> slow down, but gradually. *At low speads the breaks catch very well
>> >> and stop the car.
>> >> The break peddle feels fine (stiff). * It as if I get the feeling that
>> >> the breaks are heating up and preventing me from stopping. * I think I
>> >> will contact the person who installed them between 1 and 2 years ago.
>> >> I don't think the breaks are worn out, because I had both the rotors
>> >> and breaks (all of them) replaced back then. *I don't hear metal
>> >> sounds when I break. *Any suggestions on what to check.
>>
>> >> Barry
>>
>> > Not to become a jerk, but 'breaking'? or 'braking'? Or are your brakes
>> > breaking? It is hard to read the message when the wrong words are
>> > used...
>>
>> > First, be very careful, this could be dangerous and cause an accident.
>> > I'd follow the following steps to help figure out what's up:
>>
>> > 1. Inspect--inspect the pads, rotors and master cylinder's booster.
>> > Bad pads (too worn) and rotors too thin will cause this. Low vacuum at
>> > the booster at highway speeds, coupled with a leaking reservoir can do
>> > the same thing--hard to apply brakes.
>>
>> > 2. Monitor wheel temperature when the situation occurs. This requires
>> > a highway test, basically duplicate the conditions and come to a full
>> > stop. Park the vehicle, and check each wheel for heat--how hot are
>> > they? Are all wheels the same temperature?
>>
>> And secondly, if you have an unidentified problem with your brakes and
>> have no clue as to how to fix it then go to a specialist and get it
>> fixed. Yes, it will cost money, but not as much money as it would if
>> the defect leads to someone's injury or death. I mean this isn't the
>> car radio you are fixing, this is in fact a critical system.
>
>Thanks,
> I'm going to see a specialist this Wed. When I break the first 2
>times I press on the peddle are fine, however the third time I have
>difficulties.

Damn it, the word is BRAKE not break. Break is 'something has failed
or broken', brake is what stops the car. Please use the right words.

You are describing low vacuum generation problems, likely the vacuum
pump is failing, or there is a leak.

On Nov 1, 10:22*am, PeterD > wrote:
> On Sat, 30 Oct 2010 20:30:53 -0700 (PDT), barry >
> wrote:
>
>
>
> >On Oct 30, 12:03*pm, krak > wrote:
> >> On 2010-10-30 14:24:33 +0200, PeterD said:
>
> >> > On Fri, 29 Oct 2010 06:49:56 -0700 (PDT), barry >
> >> > wrote:
>
> >> >> Hi,
> >> >> This is probably not related to VW jettas specifically, but I'll ask
> >> >> anyway because it is happening in my 2001 jetta TDI. * When I am
> >> >> breaking sometimes at high speed it as if the breaks aren't catch. *I
> >> >> slow down, but gradually. *At low speads the breaks catch very well
> >> >> and stop the car.
> >> >> The break peddle feels fine (stiff). * It as if I get the feeling that
> >> >> the breaks are heating up and preventing me from stopping. * I think I
> >> >> will contact the person who installed them between 1 and 2 years ago.
> >> >> I don't think the breaks are worn out, because I had both the rotors
> >> >> and breaks (all of them) replaced back then. *I don't hear metal
> >> >> sounds when I break. *Any suggestions on what to check.
>
> >> >> Barry
>
> >> > Not to become a jerk, but 'breaking'? or 'braking'? Or are your brakes
> >> > breaking? It is hard to read the message when the wrong words are
> >> > used...
>
> >> > First, be very careful, this could be dangerous and cause an accident.

barry wrote:

> Thanks,
>
> I was breaking up after I read that I replied with "break" instead
> of "brake". I didn't do it on purpose, it just happened, sorry.
>
> Thanks for the correction and diagnosis.


Is this where we start discussing the spelling of "pedal"?



John

On 1 Nov 2010 20:50:51 GMT, John Henderson >
wrote:

>barry wrote:
>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> I was breaking up after I read that I replied with "break" instead
>> of "brake". I didn't do it on purpose, it just happened, sorry.
>>
>> Thanks for the correction and diagnosis.
>
>
>Is this where we start discussing the spelling of "pedal"?
>
>
>
>John

Oh, dear dog, let's not go there! If you try, I'm sure everyone will
put their foot down.