Changed front rotors and pads. Pedal is still low. 2003 jetta

As the title says, I changed the rotors and pads last weekend and the pedal is still "low."

The last time I had brand new brakes the pedal was nice and firm.

I searched but didn't find a definite reason of what it could be.

- The brake fluid is topped off.
- Do i need to bleed the brakes?
- Could i have over torqued the sliders?

Let me know what you think.

flush and bleed the brake system

are the sliders greased and sliding back and forth properly?

lol_face3 said:

As the title says, I changed the rotors and pads last weekend and the pedal is still "low."

The last time I had brand new brakes the pedal was nice and firm.

I searched but didn't find a definite reason of what it could be.

- The brake fluid is topped off.
- Do i need to bleed the brakes?
- Could i have over torqued the sliders?

Let me know what you think.

Click to expand...

Here's what I would do, note that it might not be the proper way...

1) Bleed the brakes. if air bubbles come out, then you've fixed 90% of the problem.
2) fill up brake fluid to a known point. mark it exactly.
3) drive it for a week or so, if the mark has moved at all, you might have a leak (actually, you DO have a leak)
4) check your master cylinder.

You mentioned that your brake is low. when you are idling at a light, and you pump the brake pedal, does it get stiffer? if yes, I THINK its the master cylinder. if know I THINK it's possibly something with your actual pedal assembly.

Note: I am not a mechanic.

Good luck.

Cryptkeeper said:

You mentioned that your brake is low. when you are idling at a light, and you pump the brake pedal, does it get stiffer? if yes, I THINK its the master cylinder. if know I THINK it's possibly something with your actual pedal assembly.

Click to expand...

It's not unusually low. It feels the same as before the brake job. Not as sensitive as it felt like when i had new rotors and pads years ago.

The sliders should be moving freely. I lubed the fuck out of them. It could be that I over tightened since I tightened by hand.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I'll start by bleeding the brakes. It's just weird since i never opened any of the lines...

and your back brakes? what do they look like?

mk4 rear brakes are always rusted as the pins always jams!

I had this with a fluid change and after getting it checked twice was told it would go away which it has. Some funny VW thing that I do not understand. Not sure if it was a pressure bleed but know that is the way to go for a proper flush.