I just picked up a '99 A6 Quattro 70,000 miles and had to install new rear pads. There is some air in the system, pedal is a little squishy. The repair manual says that the system should be pressure bled. Can you still bleed the brakes the old fashion way by pumping the pedal or do you need to get some sort of pressure system?

I have done a search and could not find a definitive posting.

I appreciate you thoughts.

Larry

 

I would try driving on the installed pads fora while, installing new brake pads on audi's makes the brake pedal feel spongy until the brake pads are burned in. I highly doubt you have air in the system un-less you cracked open the bleeder.

 

I did not crack open any bleeders. I should have also noted that along with the squishy feel, it seems that there is more brake pedal travel than I am used to. Have never owned an Audi, but a few other performance cars. If I after a wekk or so I do choose to bleed the brakes, can they be done the old fashion way by pumping the pedal or should i get myself a special tool for pressure bleeding.

Thanks,

 

If you never pulled the bleeder valve open when replacing the rear pads then there shouldn't be air in the line. There should be any reason to do so unless you think you can get a better pedal than what you have now. It does take a bit of travel on the pedal but it shouldn't be that noticeable that you'd have to bleed it. Pump the brakes while parked and see how stiff the pedal gets. If it's the same as when you are driving, then there's no sense to bleed the brakes because they should be fine.