No Brakes

[Beige76]

I have just got a 76 golf. It flies for a little car, but the brakes are terrible.
I`m using the gears to slow down, but its dangerous as it is. There is plenty of pads left, but a real spongey pedal. Any ideas?

[imported_brackie]

Air

Spongey pedal = air. Does the pedal slowly sink when you rest your foot on it? If it does, master cylinder seals. If it doesn't, go down to an accessory store and buy youself a 500mL of brake fluid (get the right type), the right sized RING spanner for your bleed nipples and a one-man bleeder (about $10 from Autobarn). Start with the wheel furthest from the master cylinder (some manuals say different but it depends on the location of the rear brake pressure equaliser). Pray that the nipples aren't rusted in and work your way around the wheels of the car. If there's any air you'll see it in the plastic tube connected to the bleeder. Check the reservoir level regularly (after half a dozen pumps or so) and keep it topped up.
I might be telling my gramma how to suck eggs, but this method works.

[GoLfMan]

yeh my 76 2 door has that same problem, real spongy peal but it slows down when i tell it to. but it really needs to be bled.

[Beige76]

Bled the brakes. Much better, but still feeble. Are there any brake upgrades? Cheap ones please?

[imported_brackie]

Upgrades

Golf Loon is the Brake Upgrade Man! He'll probably pick up your post but if not, PM him. I reckon Mk1 brakes are really good! (But then, I'm stopping a diesel with 23:1 compression ratio so take your foot off and she stops herself!)

[Golf Loon]

Mk1 Gtis had vented discs. So did Mk2 and 3, but you need the discs and the calipers and adaptors if these are to be used.
Audis and Seats have either back discs, or much bigger drums.
I`d have some stuff in the shed. Vented front discs and calipers Mk1 GTI spec $150 pair.
Rear drums, I`d have some bigger ones from a Seat $100
Check your linkages and that the system is fully bled and that the booster is good, before spending the money.