Clutch and Brake

[DubSteve]

Hi Guys

Just wondering for some help with the mk1.

At the moment I have two problems with the mk1 the clutch and the brakes.

Now the brakes seem really hard for some reason as you have to push the brake pedal hard to make the car brake, it doesn't brake in easy for some reason any ideas?

We tested out the brakes with Matt but they were still a little worst for wear, I have changed the brake pads and the disks semed fine to me, bled the brakes and they were OK as well the master cylinder seems to be doing its job so I'm not as sure as to what it could be

The second question is the clutch pedal, I don't know when the clutch was last changed however for some reason the clutch feels like a really heavy duty clutch lol and thats not what I want, could this be the master cylinder?

Any help would be great

[gtimk5]

Still waiting to hear what the problem was with the gearchange Steve...

[DubSteve]

Still waiting to hear what the problem was with the gearchange Steve...

Andrew what this have to do with my question, but it was the gearshifter position Matt fixed this for me when I went to see hom I stated that in my other thread

[Peter Jones]

Now the brakes seem really hard for some reason as you have to push the brake pedal hard to make the car brake, it doesn't brake in easy for some reason any ideas?

Faulty Vacuum booster or vacuum leak?

The second question is the clutch pedal, I don't know when the clutch was last changed however for some reason the clutch feels like a really heavy duty clutch lol and thats not what I want, could this be the master cylinder?

Unless I'm mistaken there were no hydraulic clutches in MK1, so no, the master cylinder can't be the cause.

The clutch cable may be on the way out, they fray internally and jam up. remove the cable and see if the inner moves freely.

Pete

[Bora Sport]

Unfortunately this sounds to me like it could be a case of welcome to the joys of owning a Mk 1 golf. I have owned plenty.

The brakes on Mk 1 golf were designed I believe by Peter Hanenberger. It was his belief in the pre anti lock brakes era that having a brake pedal that was hard to push made it less likely to lock the wheels in a panic situation. Consequently the brakes on a Mk 1 are pretty crap by the standards of today.

However trying to be a little more constructive. Perhaps the brake booster isn't working properly. Check for vacuum leaks??

With the clutch sometimes the clutch cable can get stiff when it gets old and replacing it with a new one can ease the effort required.

[Jarred]

.....The second question is the clutch pedal, I don't know when the clutch was last changed however for some reason the clutch feels like a really heavy duty clutch lol and thats not what I want, could this be the master cylinder?

Any help would be great

only the cable for a mk 1, no hydraulics as Pete stated, so, it's a mk 1 - get used to it!

Inspect and lube the cable to be sure.

as for the brakes. Step on the brakes with the car turned off, and now compare the stiffness of the pedal with what you described before. This would be a booster issue I believe.

[DubSteve]

Cheers Pete and Bora Sport

I wasn't really sure what the car has I'm still learning alot about the mk1 all the time

as for the brakes. Step on the brakes with the car turned off, and now compare the stiffness of the pedal with what you described before. This would be a booster issue I believe.

Jarred there pretty much the same, I will check to see if there is a leak I think that could be my problem

[roccodingo]

my money is on the booster being shot...

Was the clutch just as heavy when you first got the car ???

[Preen59]

my money is on the booster being shot...

Was the clutch just as heavy when you first got the car ???

I'd say Steve is used to a nice smooth hyd. clutch. I remember when i got bad in the Mk1 after not driving it in a long time.. My calf started to burn a little! I wasn't used to the cable clutch!


Welcome to Mk1's Steve. Heavy steering, hard brake pedal, heavy clutch and not so smooth gear linkages. The first 2 are amplified in the Cabrios, being heavier.

[Jarred]

I'd be getting the brake booster checked out. If the pedal feels the same with the engine on or off.

(cause when the engine is off, there is no vaccum, hence the booster doesn't work without vaccum.}

Check for vaccum leaks, make sure everthing is tight and not cracks on the rubber lines.

If it is a faulty booster, perhaps look at upgrading to a mk 3 combo.

[DubSteve]

my money is on the booster being shot...

Was the clutch just as heavy when you first got the car ???

Grant yes it was just as heavy

Welcome to Mk1's Steve. Heavy steering, hard brake pedal, heavy clutch and not so smooth gear linkages. The first 2 are amplified in the Cabrios, being heavier.

Thanks Preeny

I'd be getting the brake booster checked out. If the pedal feels the same with the engine on or off.

(cause when the engine is off, there is no vaccum, hence the booster doesn't work without vaccum.}

Check for vaccum leaks, make sure everthing is tight and not cracks on the rubber lines.

If it is a faulty booster, perhaps look at upgrading to a mk 3 combo.

Its more and more sounding like a brake booster I will see about getting it changed, more or less going to do the brake booster and clutch cable at the same time