The brief
The Golf's brakes had gone past due all round, picked up on inspection with the pads worn and the discs scored at both ends, and the pedal not feeling as it should. He had the lot sorted, which is the right call, the brakes are the safety system you don't compromise on. A proper brake overhaul does the whole system: the pads are the wear item, used up and replaced, the discs they clamp wear and score over their life, the calipers and slide pins need cleaning and greasing so they apply and release evenly, and the brake fluid absorbs water over time, which softens the pedal and lowers its boiling point. On this Golf all of that was due, so it was pads and discs front and rear, the calipers serviced, and a full fluid bleed.
The diagnosis
On the lift the brakes told the story: front and rear pads worn near the end, the discs scored and below minimum thickness, the calipers and slides stiff and dirty, and the brake fluid testing high on water content. Nothing seized, nothing leaking, just a system due for a full refresh. So it was a brake overhaul: new pads and discs on both axles, the calipers cleaned and serviced, and the fluid bled through fresh.
The work
All four discs and the worn pads were removed, the hubs cleaned, and a new genuine VW-spec set of discs and pads fitted front and rear, the calipers and slide pins cleaned and greased so they move freely. The brake fluid was bled through with fresh fluid to spec until it ran clean at every corner, and the pads bedded in so they'd grip evenly from the start. A road test confirmed a firm, high pedal, quiet, even, progressive braking, and no pulling.
The outcome
A firm pedal, even bite front and rear, sharp progressive stopping, fresh fluid, and serviced calipers applying cleanly. The Golf went home with the braking system properly overhauled. Brakes that have gone past due all round don't fix themselves with a pad change at one corner, so doing the whole system, pads, discs, calipers and fluid, put the braking back where it should be, the safety job done properly.
