Got the temporary wheel cylinder installed and went for a drive - brakes are
better, about where they were last year, which means still softer than I
like, and requiring a pump to raise the pedal after a short bit of driving.
The new cylinder has a spring, but surprisingly, the old did not, even
though installed at the dealer. Some casting numbers, but no sign of a
VW/Audi logo, so it appears they are not OEM... hmmm...

So I still likely have one side with a springless cylinder, which may
explain the pumping issue, or I have some other problem. It seems ok to
drive, as front wheel lockup and modulation are easy enough with normal
effort. With engine running, hard pedal pressure seems to result in the
pedal continuing to fall slowly until maybe 3/4 down, then stop. Engine off,
and the pedal is firm as stops about even with the acclerator pedal, or 1/2
way down. I have ordered a new MC, but I'm now concerned the booster may be
going - since it is the only part I haven't ordered, that would seem the
most likely thing to fail next... :-/

On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 4:16 PM, Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 12:06 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 10:22 AM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>
>> > now that you have given me a name, it was the Meyle unit i got from
>> > speedway. they did have the internal springs, and a fair price too.
>> >\
>>
>>
>> Hey that's useful info. In spite of possibly being made in China or
>> where ever, (re: Jeff's comment) nice to know they likely have
>> springs.
>>
>> Neil.
>>
>>
>>
> Just grabbed a single Beck/Arnley cylinder from FLAPs - it has a spring,
> but is also made in China... I may leave it in place when the ATEs arrive
> just to compare lifespan in a few years. Who knows, maybe the ATE will be
> made in China too...
>
>