[Vwdiesel] Brakes hard to stop - not mushy - *hard*

[Shawn Wright]

On 6 May 2003 at 20:44, Roger Brown wrote:

> Will Taygan wrote:
> >
> > I should be paying more attention to all the good info, but I've deleted my
> > archives.
> >
> > 1981 vw pickup 1.6na. 187,000miles
> >
> > In the last week the brake pedal has been going 1/2 way down (normal) and
> > then hits a hard spot (no mushiness).  I've lost a lot of my braking power,
> > I have to push really hard to stop.  I'm hoping it's somewhere in the vacuum
> > lines.
> >
> > I haven't taken anything apart yet.  I probably need new shoes, but this
> > doesn't seem like worn shoe symptoms.
> >
> > Does this sound familiar to anyone?  Ideas?
>
> Vacuum pump most likely.  Pull it out and have a look inside.  2 different rebuild kits, one for the rubber diphram and seals,
> other kit is for the two plastic valves in the pump head.  Both problems are visibly apparent when you open it up.

Also check the hard plastic line from the pump - my Jetta TD developed a
crack, which I was able to repair with a generous dose of electrical tape.
It's still fine now five years later.

Shawn Wright
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
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