Front brakes don't release properly

Abby

Active member
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Location
NJ
TDI
2006 Jetta TDI
2006 Jetta TDI 300,000+ miles Front brakes don't release when I take my foot off the brake pedal. If I continue to drive, they do slowly release over time but once I apply the brakes again the problem repeats.

I have already made sure the guide pins are lubed and move freely.

I also did a search on this forum, but I haven't seen the same problem or any info that might help me resolve this problem.

Any help will be appreciated.

John B
 

Rx7145

Veteran Member
Joined
May 21, 2017
Location
Ohio
TDI
2006 Jetta BRM
Guy a couple months ago had the same problem. Ended up being the brake booster. I’ll see if I can find the thread.
 

sptsailing

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Location
Safety Harbor, FL
TDI
2006 Jetta Manual, stock with Panzer Plate & Franko6 modified EGR cooler & CAM
Yeah, that was my post...

It is almost certainly the booster. If you do the job yourself, which is doable, the most difficult parts are releasing the plastic retaining clip in the brake pedal from the booster and finagling the booster out of the engine compartment. I made a clip release tool and method that worked great. Use a thin, stiff metal tube about 2 to 2-1/2 inches long with the inside equal or slightly greater diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the booster's rod. Sharpen the outer circumference of one end of the tube as though you wanted to create a hole punch. Make two lengthwise cuts in the tube an remove a strip so you can snap the tube onto the pushrod, with the sharp end toward the brake pedal and the open side of the tube either facing evenly down. Use an open end wrench of the size that just fits the pushrod and then force the tube into the brake pedal clip while pulling the brake pedal away from the firewall.

I could not believe how easy this made the process until I did it. It took me quite awhile trying every other possible way before I came up with the above process to release the pedal to pushrod retention clip.

Get an OEM replacement and do not trust any remanufactured aftermarket parts. The labor on this job greatly outweighs the extra dollars a dealer part costs. The dealer may tell you that you will need to replace both the booster and master cylinder together, as the old style parts are no longer available. Have the original booster with you when you pick up the new part to make sure they are identical, as there seems to be a few different systems.
 
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