Lots of symptoms...probably one problem

[TDiBoraSam]

All,

This is actually for an 07 Jetta TDI (BXE), but seeing as nobody posts in the Jetta section, I'll post here and hope for some answers!

OK, here's the list of symptoms the car is exhibiting. If anyone can offer any kind of suggestion as to the cause, I'd be very grateful;

Heavy rubbing noise when turning at slow speeds (on car parks, coming out of junctions etc).
Intermittent loss of drive when cornering - split second shunt or feeling like the brakes are being applied. No abnormal noises.
Intermittent loss of drive when driving straight over undulations or speed humps - as above, split second shunt or feeling like the brakes are being applied. No abnormal noises. Repeated undulations seem to affect the car's momentum.
Intermittent shunting when applying accelerator after gear change (sometimes there is also a light 'clanking' noise). Also can be noticed when on/off the accelerator when in slow moving traffic.
Sometimes drives like the tyres are 50p pieces - feels jerky/rough and feels like a lack of torque.
Extremely twitchy handling - drifting in winds or drafts from other vehicles, hard to keep in a straight line especially at motorway speeds. Four wheel alignment and balancing have been carried out.

Can anyone think of what might be causing all this? It's something that's getting steadily worse, and the shunting/loss of drive happening once or twice a day. I don't know if this is a suspension or transmission problem?

[mikeybutch]

I would have a good look at the brakes.Check for a sticking caliper piston or a warped brake disc.You can check after a short run to feel if either disc is too hot which will show that it could be binding

[TDiBoraSam]

Interesting that you mentioned the brakes. I recently had the car serviced at an independent VW specialist and did ask for the brakes to be done because the front discs look well worn. I was told that I'd get another 12 months out of them, so they weren't replaced.

However...after the service I took the car to a wheel alignment and tyre specialist who also did a basic health check and told me that the front discs are worn to down to their minimum thickness and need to be replaced sooner rather than later. I saw him use a gauge to check, so I know he wasn't just telling me porkies.

I have ordered new discs and pads for the front, so I'll get them fitted and give everything a good clean up and see if any of the above problems improve, although I can't see the brakes causing the shunting - that feels like a transmission problem.

[mikeybutch]

You can easily check for thickness by feeling if theres a thick edge on the discs.Thin ones could be warped and I have experienced some strange results from warping even from a new set once.Make sure that the pistons and caliper pins are moving freely any sticking causes problems

[TDiBoraSam]

Yes, there's quite a lip on the edge of the discs. They're still the originals on 75k miles, so I guess they've done pretty well.

I'll make sure the whole brake assemblies get a good clean up when the new discs and pads are fitted.

Thanks for your replies.

[mikeybutch]

So risky to let discs get thin and so easy to check them.75k is about double normal!!