Brake system malfunctions (VW Beetle)

Malfunction	Cause	Solution
The brake pedal free play is too great	Brake pads are partially or completely worn out	Adjust the brakes or replace the pads
	One of the brake circuits failed	Check the circuits for brake fluid leaks
	Disc brakes:
	There is a large gap in the friction linings (possibly with new calipers or after the car has been parked for a long time)	Remove the pads, press the brake pedal, thereby pushing out the pistons. Press in the pistons and install the friction linings
The brake pedal is deeply depressed and springy	Air in the brake system	Pump up the system
The brake pedal is deeply depressed and springy	Insufficient amount of brake fluid in the expansion tank	Add brake fluid
The brakes are ineffective. The brake pedal is sinking	Brake lines or hoses are leaking	Tighten the connections of pipes and hoses, replace any leaky ones
	The seals of the master brake cylinder or wheel brake cylinders are damaged	Replace the seals and internal components of the brake master cylinder
	Disc brakes:
	The stationary sealing ring is damaged	Adjust the brake caliper
Low braking efficiency despite strong pedal pressure	The friction linings are oily	Replace the linings
	Incorrect friction linings installed	Replace the overlays with branded ones
	Disc brakes:
	The friction linings are worn out. The pads are raised at the expansion plate	Replace the linings
When braking, the car pulls to the side	The tire pressure is not correct. Uneven tire wear	Check the tire pressure and bring it to normal, replace worn tires
	The friction linings are oily	Replace the linings
	Friction linings of different types are installed on one axle	Replace the overlays with branded ones
	Small contact patch of friction linings	Replace the linings
	Disc brakes:
	The brake caliper is dirty	Clean the seating and guide surfaces of the brake pads in the caliper
	Corrosion in wheel brake cylinders	Replace corroded brake calipers
	Uneven wear of friction linings	Replace both linings of this suspension
	Drum brakes:
	Difficulty in moving pistons in wheel brake cylinders	Find and replace the defective cylinder
The brakes are applied spontaneously	The compensation hole in the master cylinder is clogged	Clean the master cylinder and replace its internal components
The brakes are applied spontaneously	The clearance between the pushrod and the master cylinder piston is too small	Check the gap
The brakes get very hot while driving	The compensation hole in the master cylinder is clogged	Clean the master cylinder and replace its internal components
	The clearance between the pushrod and the master cylinder piston is too small	Check the gap
	Disc brakes:
	The compensation hole is clogged	Clean the master cylinder, replace its internal parts and brake fluid
	Drum brakes:
	The brake shoe return springs are weakened	Replace the springs
The brakes are vibrating	Disc brakes:
	Corrosion in certain areas of the brake disc	Sand the disc thoroughly
	Wheel hub bearing play is too great	Adjust the play
	Drum brakes:
	The brake pads are worn out and the rivets are protruding	Replace the pads with original ones
	The brake drum has a non-circular shape	Ream the drum and replace if necessary
The friction linings stick to the brake disc	Disc brakes:
The friction linings stick to the brake disc	Corrosion in wheel brake cylinders	Repair or replace a corroded brake caliper
The brakes are squeaking	Influence of weather conditions (high air humidity)	It should not be a cause for concern if the creaking appears after the car has been parked for a long time in high humidity, but disappears after the first braking
	Disc brakes:
	Incorrect friction linings installed	Replace the overlays with branded ones
	The brake disc rotates in a plane that is not parallel to the caliper	Check the mating surfaces of the caliper
	Drum brakes:
	Incorrect brake pads installed	Replace the pads with original ones
	The rivets on the brake pads have come loose and the pads are not fitting tightly	Replace the brake pads
	The wheel brake mechanisms are clogged	Clean the brakes
	The return springs have weakened	Replace the springs
Wedge-shaped wear of friction linings	Disc brakes:
Wedge-shaped wear of friction linings	The brake disc rotates in a plane that is not parallel to the caliper	Check the mating surfaces of the caliper
The brake pedal vibrates	Disc brakes:
	Wheel hub bearing play is too great	Replace bearings
	Lateral runout or excessive variation in brake disc thickness	Check the runout and thickness of the disc over its entire surface, grind it or replace the disc
	The brake disc rotates in a plane that is not parallel to the caliper	Check the mating surfaces of the caliper
	Drum brakes:
	The brake disc is deformed due to uneven tightening of the wheel mounting bolts	Tighten the bolts to the correct torque
	Uneven contact surface of the wheel disc with the brake drum, resulting in drum drag	Swap the disks. Boring the brake drum with the wheel installed on a special machine

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The text has been checked: Kolesnikov Artem

Previous articles
Adjusting the parking brake
Replacing the parking brake cable
Removal and installation the parking brake lever
Bleeding the brake system
Brake fluid reservoir
Replacement of brake lines and hoses

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