Bad Bomb?

[Ron Mruss <rmruss@pangea.ca>]

Thanks to everyone who responded to yesterday's question regarding a mechanic diagnosing a loose wire to my fuel pump relay.  Today's (hopefully the last for a while) is:  since replacing my rack, rebuilding my pump and putting pentosin back in my 5KS after years of PS fluid, my brake warning light has been coming on.  It was infrequent at first, and I assumed it was just air escaping, or maybe that's what I wanted to believe.  Anyway, it's now happening every time I hit the brakes.  I did the bomb test, and while it the brake pedal didn't get hard until 28 or so pumps, it started to require more effort around 15.  Also, when I did the test, the fluid level in the hydraulic oil container rose - is this what usually happens?  Oh, and I've noticed that steering requires noticably more effort at slow speeds than it did before the rack/pump/fluid changes.  So, is my bomb failing?  I'm inclined to think so and although the Audi is currently gobbling my money faster than I can earn it, I have no desire to kill myself or anyone else to save a few hundred bucks.  Also, does the increase in steering effort suggest that my efforts to rebuild my pump were not altogether successful?

Sorry for all the questions, but I don't recall anyone mentioning increased steering effort AND braking effort as signs of a failing bomb, so I'm not sure if  the failure of the bomb is affecting other components, or if I just need a new pump.  

TIA,


Jeff Mruss
'84 5KS