My son just purchased a 1997 VW Cabrio Highline. It runs really good, shifts great, has the typical intermittent cluster issue (probably connected to the intermittent ignition switch), but the brakes have to be mashed hard to get minimal stopping power... they just feel soft/weak. The pads are newer and look good. Have not pulled the drums to see what they look like yet. Any thoughts/suggestions? Has anyone else dealt with this? Brake booster, perhaps? Brake check valve? Also, does anyone have a good reference for service or repair books for this?

 

I fixed the brake issue. There ended up being splits in the vacuum line to the brake booster. Instead of buying the expensive formed plastic lines, I replaced them with sturdy hose. Brakes work now!