Hi there

This is my first post so be gentle.

I think i have a problem with the brakes on my 04 vrs, and after searching countless threads i don't feel that i have got to the bottom of it!

I will try and explain the issue, with as much detail as possible and would be grateful for any advice offered.

The problem is if the car has been standing overnight or during the working day that during first few presses of the brake pedal i get the usual grinding noise from the brakes.

I understand that this is almost to be expected, and up until now it has never affected the cars ability to stop.

However over the last few days it feels that the it doesn't want to stop when cold.

and even after a 30 minute journey home slow speed braking still feels inefficient

As far as i can tell the pedal still feels the same but it almost feels like the pads are not gripping the disks

As far as i can tell the pads have plenty of life left in them, and the disks to be in good condition.

I have looked around under the bonnet and can't see any split vacuum hoses, but to be honest i am not sure if i am looking in the right place

ANY IDEAS?:confused:

Thanks in advance

Mark

It is strange that problems occur for only the first 30 minutes or so, But, when did you last change your brake fluid?

I think that sparky is saying the problem still exists after 30 minutes (the duration of his drive home from work). My initial suggestion would be that the pads had run ouf of friction material.

However the posting says "slow speed braking", so what is high speed braking like?

hi, thanks for the reply

sorry for the confusion, what i was trying to explain, is that i still have the grinding on slow speed braking after 30 mins of driving (i would have expected any oxidization/rust on the brakes to be removed) and the brakes don't feel sharp on slow speed braking,

Does that make any sense

according to the service history the brake fluid was changed 2 years/20000 miles ago.

thanks mbames, that is what i meant.

High speed braking feels ok, but not as sharp as it was. I don't feel as if i trust them at the moment.

I agree that it sounds as if the pads are worn out, but they look ok,

I have experienced similar. I have always had an issue with the brakes on both my current and previous Octavia RS.

On wet mornings, I notice a lot of oxidation on the discs, so I tend to ride the brakes for the first part of my journey to clear the discs. My main issue is that in heavy rain in a line of traffic, if I need to brake, there tends to be a one or two second lack of response before the brake force is felt. The only explanation I can come up with is that the brake disc gets a lot of surface water adhering to it, and it takes the pads a second or two to clear the water/ get hot enough to grip the pad. As I'm no expert, I may be wrong, but it feels like that is whats happening.

I may try out grooved or drilled discs next time.

Have you checked that there is nothing stuck in the calipers?

A small stone or something similar could account for the grinding noise and poor braking performance

Could be glazed pads.

Aren't glazed pads caused, by overheating them?

I don't think i drive it that hard (as my average mpg is above 30/35) and my day to day commute is mostly A roads and duel carriageways, They are not roads that i jump from the throttle to the brakes.

Also, with ref to pdhealys post, it happens to my car if it is wet or dry, it is worse if the car has been standing, but still doesn't feel like it used to when the brakes are warmed up.

Also if i am braking from anything above "crawling/parking" speed i do not notice any grinding or noise, just not tight/firm braking.

Also the handbrake doesn't feel that tight

does it look like the issue is pointing at the rear brakes, more than the front?

Either way its brakes, get it looked at by a professional and checked out.

Don't second guess or leave these things.

Aren't glazed pads caused, by overheating them?

I don't think i drive it that hard (as my average mpg is above 30/35) and my day to day commute is mostly A roads and duel carriageways, They are not roads that i jump from the throttle to the brakes.

Also, with ref to pdhealys post, it happens to my car if it is wet or dry, it is worse if the car has been standing, but still doesn't feel like it used to when the brakes are warmed up.

Also if i am braking from anything above "crawling/parking" speed i do not notice any grinding or noise, just not tight/firm braking.

Also the handbrake doesn't feel that tight

does it look like the issue is pointing at the rear brakes, more than the front?

Snap! i have exactly the same thing with mine, been like it for a while never used to do it but like you say i get lot of grinding noise when braking from low speed. Like you my handbrake does'nt bite very well too, the brakes still work when you need them too and pads have loads of life left? Im getting them checked out soon at a garage, and will also be changing my brake fuild let me know if you find the problem before me.

Personally if my brakes make a strange noise and don't work well any more I'd get them sorted now not some time in the future! Sounds like worn out pads, probably inside front that you can't see, which means you'll need new discs as metal on metal will have knackered them as well

Also see thread "anyone changed their brakes recently" for why your pad sensor might not work!

Could be glazed pads.

Just what i was thinking...any history on the pads? Are they OE ones? Sometimes the pad face can get cooked when they have done lots of high speed brakeing (track day)

Change the pads but also make sure the pistons on the caliper and sliders move freely

HTH

Phil

Personally if my brakes make a strange noise and don't work well any more I'd get them sorted now not some time in the future! Sounds like worn out pads, probably inside front that you can't see, which means you'll need new discs as metal on metal will have knackered them as well

Yeah i am sorting them out now! going in this week like you i wont leave them until the last minute.

Of the people who have posted how much material do you appear to have on your pads? My rears are down to about 6-7mm with the fronts having about 10-15+. I experience the same as pdhealy but have always put this down to the amount of disc that is exposed to the weather. The biting of the hand brake does sound familiar though, it'll be interesting to find it if is just pads, discs, fluid or a combination.

Yeah my pads have loads left on them both sides, got them checked today, disc's are ok and pads are ok, though they did say it is probaly the pads because they apper not to be oem ones, i did'nt fit these, fitted to car when i brought it. The pads where form GSF but oem vag ones are slighty different (better less noise etc) They did advise a brake fuild change which i will get done shortly.

Edited 20 January, 200917 yr by gmaster
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