Brake noise

[PCDoctor]

Had Front discs and pads fitted to my 130 tdi B5 some months ago due to warped discs (100k) and are now starting to feel and hear the brake pads moving in the caliper - clunk at the low end speed

I Know this as i have been told by the independant VW garage who fitted them and they say they can't do anything about it except fit new genuine pads to cure the problem

I was wondering if anyone else has had the same problem

Are there 2 different size pads and they may have fitted the wrong ones if technically possible

The problem is worst when everything warms up

All top and bottom bushes have just been replaced due to splits ect

Looks forward to any heads up as it starting to get on my nerves and puts me off the pleasure of driving this car :(

[towcestervag]

the pad carriers can wear but if the pads were fitted with a good lubricant ie plastilbe then they dont usually rattle

[Peter D]

The pads have an arrow on the inner pad retaining spring which must be fitted in the direction of rotation of the disc. If you fit the wrong par to the wrong side to get a clunk every time to apply the brakes. Regards Peter

[PCDoctor]

Hi Peter

Can i see this arrow with just taking the wheel off

I Can tell you that both sides do it !

[Peter D]

No the arrow is on the back of the inner pad. Can you describe the noise you are getting. What make of pads have been fitted. Regards

[PCDoctor]

Hi Peter

Make of brake pad i do not know as they were fitted at the garage and did not ask yet ?

The noise is a metalic clunk / worse when say breaking from slow speed to a stop, when you get down to the 20mph mark you get a clunk or in my case clunk then clunk :(

[Peter D]

One short sharp clunk from each wheel. Sure sounds like the caliper inner pads are on the wrong side. The spring fixed to the rear of the pad is offset so when cliped into the piston the pad is biased to stay in contact with the top rail of the caliper. Get it wrong and they clunk There is an arrow on the rear of the pads and it must point in the direction of rotation of that wheel. Regards Peter

[PCDoctor]

Hi Peter

As soon as i get a second and it stops snowing i shall take a look at one wheel and see if the arrow is pointing down or not

If it is not the right way up then i shall be going back to the garage and be very polite and asking for them to be replaced and re fitted the right way up.....

The sad thing is they are a nice bunch of guys at the garage and generally do a good job.....

I Shall tell you the outcome asap....

[Peter D]

You can not see them unless you remove the caliper and the inner pad. Regards Peter

[zollaf]

the thing is, how many mechanics know about the pads having to go in the right way. this is a very vw specific thing. you would expect a main dealer to know, and a vw specialist, but not neccessarily a general all makes garage.
ok, just read some more and i see it was a vw specialist. doh.

[Peter D]

The inner pad (with expansion spring) has an arrow. The arrow should point in the direction of rotation of the brake disc when travelling forwards. If installed incorrectly this may cause noise problems.
<LI class=nonenone>‒ Detach protective foil on backplate of outer brake pad.
‒ Fit outer brake pad onto brake carrier.
Again often missed and the foil is not removed and the outer pad can clunk as well. It is not specific to Vag the calipers and OEM pads are ATE not Audi or VW.

The instructions with the pads include this information.

Regards Peter

[PCDoctor]

Dear all

Brake noise fixed

Stripped down the caliper to check for the arrow that should be on the rear or the inner front pads to show fitting direction and non to be found so printed or stamped ..

Nothing to loose but swap the pads over from ns to os and vice versa and FIXED :biglaugh:

New disks and pads fitted 6k ago by independant VW in Telford and for some reason not correct :mad:

So does anyone for see a problem with what i have done with 6k of wear and swapping the inner pads over...

If you have new pads fitted and they make a clunk noise and someone tells you it because they are slightly small and non genuine then give him a good long look.... :mad:

[Peter D]

As the pads were run on new flat discs then there will e no problem swopping then. Depending on the make the arrow can be punched out of the spring mount. printed on the backing and can be in blake or white, some are difficult to see but unually there. Regards Peter