MY 99 1.8T SLXi

Developed a noise when braking

Only evident just before coming to a stop.

Pretty sure it is not ABS kicking in

Can feel it more through the brake pedal, more than hear it

Feels like a few clicks through the pedal

Can not feel anything if you press brake pedal when stationary

Doesn't appear to do it when braking from higher speeds

Need to brake firmly just before coming to a stop to feel the, when weight transfer to front suspension

Garage can not find anything wrong, front wishbone bushes just done

Do not think that this problem was there prior to new bushes being fitted

ARB bushes done less than 6 months ago.

Front disks fairly rusty on inside surface, typical for my car

Any ideas

feeling though the pedal sounds like the ABS pump is working. Maybe your tyres are gripping the road a bit better since having the wishbones changed....

Need to brake firmly just before coming to a stop to feel

I agree with mbames it's more likely to be ABS pump you can feel. Just before you come to a stop is when it's easiest (requires little effort relatively) to lock a wheel.

There's an easy way to test -- pull the fuse for ABS (you'd need to look at the listing inside the fusebox, or in the handbook, or search the web to know which one), only takes 2 seconds and you can verify for sure

Front disks fairly rusty on inside surface

This is also a candidate, but more likely to be present at all speeds, even if quieter / less intrusive at higher speed.

Front disks fairly rusty on inside surface, typical for my car

Hope you mean rust up the middle vent of the disks, and not the surfaces which the pads press against, otherwise you have issues with sticky calipers. A light bit over over-night rust is ok, but should wear off after one or two light applications of the brakes. If it does not wear off, then you need to look at the brakes in more detail.

Edited 9 March, 201016 yr by mbames

Thanks for the inputs :-

Will pull ABS fuse to test

Need to do disks and pads soon, although rusting on the inside braking surface of my disks

always develops on my car, short distance work, I replace the disks every couple of years due to this

Pads will hardly be worn, annual mileage only 5K

Piston is acting directly on the front disk surface, caliper slides are free pads are free

I really need pads that have a higher disk wear rate.

Any recommendations for this, no race pads that need higher brake temp to work.

Thanks

Adoks