[s-cars] Master cylinder help (long)

[serge]

Hi everybody, its been a long time since my last post. My S6 avant came to
an abrupt demise via a Japanese sh!tbox-- the cell-phone-clutching, upstate
New York lady came down to the big city to blow through a red light and take
out my driver's side front (enough for the Gecko to say its a total loss). I
had a car full of people, an no one was hurt. These cars are truly tanks.

But this is a tale of hope and resurrection. The car sat at my mechanic's
for less than a week, and a young lad from the neighborhood decided he
wanted to fix it up. I had a few parts need for the fix (along with all RS2
bits) Rossato-Binned in my basement, so a deal was struck. A few months, 2
new headlights, and a whole lot of elbow grease later, the car was back on
the road! Looked damn good too!

But trouble was brewing in the braking department. A pulsating pedal that
neither I or my mechanic could track down (tried new bomb or 5, new pump,
new hose, flushed the system 5 times... pulsation is still there, worse
during summer months--high humidity--less so in winter, has been the only
clue) had gotten so bad, that the car is now parked (also coincided with the
failure of power steering hose, which has been sent to Spokane House of
Hose), and the fluid reservoir caming off the master cylinder, spilling all
the brake fluid...I'm surprised lightning didn't hit it twice just then.

So my young friend is desperately trying to get the car back together in
time for his FIRST S//Fest attendance. But brake system frustrations, and
lack of sleep (and funds) due to a brand new baby, have him seeking
desperate measures. He's considering converting to vacuum assist for the
brakes ala non-turbo 100. Not being a big fan of vacuum assist on turbo cars
(I know its been done), I'm trying to convince him to try a new (different)
master cylinder first.

That's where you guys come in. I'm looking for:
1) any thoughts on brake-pulsating problem
2) anyone who has a good-known master cylinder in their Rossato-Bin, or
knowledge of where one can be sourced cheaply (dealer price is something
like $600 + the new baby)...

As always-- TIA,

-Serge

'03 S8