Mysterious Brake Problem!

[FWB]

Hi All,


I drive a Golf MK6 1.6 TDI 105CR, i'm having issues with the brakes that neither me or the garage can quite get to the bottom of and its beginning to bug me! Basically the original fault occurred under braking to which prompted the changing of the rear disc (Needed doing as they were coming to the end of life, same as fronts). Original fault didn't go away, front discs were then changed, braking was fine up until around the 3k/4k mark when under braking, the pedal would vibrate but minimal vibration through the steering. Took it to the garage again and had the rear discs clamped off to find the issue had manifested in the front two discs, changed them under warranty, sure enough fine when i drove them out, hit the 3/4k mark and the problem arisen again.


Basically changed front nearside wheel hub bearing, again the discs lasted the same amount of life before they gave way again, interestingly enough I have had my 18" aftermarket alloys on during this period until i suspected a buckle in them as I was having high speed vibrations between 70-80, the kind where you fixate at a particular rev range and speed and feel the tremor stem from the pedals. I've reverted back to my standard 16" alloys (wish i never took them off as it comprimised the road ride tenfold). I was just wondering whether buckled/distorted rims could possibly be affecting the discs to somehow warp? I personally doubt it but just throwing something simple into the mix!


Any insight would be appreciated!


Cheers

[zollaf]

what make of discs and pads are being fitted and are you following the bedding in process. do you have a habit of braking heavily and leaving your foot firmly on the pedal as you come to a stop. are you a new driver or a more experienced person that had plenty of cars but never had this problem, or is this your first car .. ??

[FWB]

Brembo disc & pads are being fitted and I'm confident the fitment of them would be correct. Id say i don't really have a habit of braking heavily when I don't have to, more a gradual braker as i come to a stop, I've been driving close to 9 years and this is my 4th car, I've drove this particular one at its best and have never had issues up until 80,000 when the brakes problem kicked in!

[zollaf]

brembo should be ok then. could be a problem with the runout on the hubs of course... its know to happen..

[FWB]

Ive had the hub changed on front nearside but original problem reoccured, calipers have been checked for sticking also.

[micheal balbrig]

The mating surfaces of hub and disc must be absolutely clean when assembling
or this type of problem can develop over time.

[FWB]

The mating surfaces of hub and disc must be absolutely clean when assembling
or this type of problem can develop over time.

The mechanic we use is very competent, I trust he's thorough when it comes to the prep of them

[zollaf]

after a drive of a few miles with absolute minimal brake use, is there any heat in any brake to indicate any binding at all ? you say one front hub has been changed. are we on about the same thing, the top hat shaped bit with the 5 wheel bolt threads in, goes through the centre of the bearing and has the driveshaft poking out of it .. if so, i would change the other one. they are known to warp.

[FWB]

By binding how do you mean sorry? Yeah the top hats been changed on nearside but this was changed as it felt like there was a 'tight spot' on rotation of it if that makes any sense? Run out was checked but appeared to be within tolerance, I'll suggest the other side thanks! Do you think the aftermarket buckled wheels could of had any influence on the problem?

[zollaf]

dont think a beckled wheel will do anything to be fair. binding, brake not being totally free and trying to stop the wheel turning. not always obvious when jacked up and you spin the wheel but will cause one brake to become hot. i have seen it caused by a bend in the mounting point for the caliper on the strut. everything was fine until bolted together and the brakes used, then it would bind. ok, it was a vauxhall, but worth checking. too much heat will distort a disc. go for a drive, dont use the brakes much, then stop and wee if any wheel is hotter than the others.