Re: Please Help - S6 Brake Pedal Travel (Long)

[johnc@together.net]

I get the chance to drive a friends '92 S4 from time to time and it is a fabulous
automobile, except for the fact that the brakes seem to be remarkably weak, and
the pedal goes way down to the floor before you get significant effect.  The
assertion of the dealer that this was obtained from (private Audi guru type guy)
is that it needs brake work and that this will be done soon and will fix things.
Sounds like any excuse for me to test drive it afterwards, purely selflessly of
course, so I can get back to you...

RubEric@aol.com wrote:

> I lusted for a S4/S6 for a long time and finally purchased a wonderful 1995 S6
> about two months ago.  I had to sell my trusty Chrysler CQ (1933 Imperial) to
> help pay for it, but it is a beautiful car - black with a gray interior and
> almost as new.  It has been chipped and goes like crazy.
>
> Unfortunately, I have a problem with the brakes.  The distance the pedal must
> travel from its released position until braking pressure is generated is very,
> very long - about two inches.  It is much like a drum brake car that needs a
> brake adjustment.  When the brakes are applied, the pedal is so low that with
> my big feet, I occasionally apply pressure to the accelerator.
>
> It is very disconcerting to drive this car.  When cornering, it is not
> possible to give the brakes a short, quick tap as I can with other cars.
> There is always the uncomfortable feeling of "are the brakes gone" because of
> the long travel.  I often overbrake because I have stomped on the pedal to
> take the slack up quickly and then apply too much pressure when I finally do
> build up braking pressure.
>
> The A6 is not like this. It has a very nice "high" pedal with minimum travel.
> Of course the A6 and S6 have very different braking systems - the A6 is vacuum
> boosted, the S6 is hydraulic boosted.  My 84 Olympic, however, is hydraulic
> boosted and it also has a high pedal with minimum travel.
>
> I bought the car from an Audi-only used car dealer who knows Audis.  He
> indicates the long pedal travel is typical of the S6.  Other correspondents in
> this newsgroup experienced the same long travel on a car he drove.   Others
> have blamed play in the linkages(??).  Not likely in a low mileage car.  The
> pads have been checked for wear and the lines have been thoroughly bled.  I
> don't think the problem is worn pads, pads that retract too much, or air in
> the lines. Based on the input I have received, I have concluded nothing is
> wrong it is just an unfortunate characteristic of the S6.  I THINK the problem
> is in the design of the master cylinder in that considerable travel there is
> necessary before the applicable port is covered and the fluid is confined so
> that pressure can build.
>
> At present, I have an expensive car that I don't like very much.  In fact, I
> have parked it and returned to driving my predictable '84 Olympic.  Unlike the
> S6, I have confidence in the brakes on this car.
>
> I can't possibly be the only person who dislikes the brakes on this car.  One
> of you before me must have been similarly discontent with these brakes and
> looked for a solution. I would sincerely appreciate the benefit from your
> experience.
>
> Sincerely,  Eric

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John J Cunningham III           Project Leader / Technical Analyst
                                             Country Home Products
johnc@together.net                            (802) 877-1201 X1242
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