Hi there.

I’ve got a 2002 Fabia 1.4 mpi Estate. The forum recently helped me out big time on a thermostat issue with the car, so I thought I’d ask for some help with another intermittent but pretty worrying problem. Namely: Brakes.

The problem is that if I apply the brakes, and then the car goes over a slight bump in the road – like a join in road surfaces for example – the car doesn’t stop!

There is a noise, (the same as the ABS self-testing noise when the car first moves off.) and then it simply carries on as if I’m freewheeling out of gear. It’s like the braking system simply ‘drops-out’. It’s really scary, and I narrowly avoided sailing over a T junction recently. There were new pads fitted about 6 months ago, otherwise I’ve never had any brake problems, as I’m not really heavy on the brake pedal. (I tend to slow down through the gears, rather than use the brake if I can.)

Every time it’s happened I’ve been coming up slowly to a junction or mini roundabout and usually going down hill. Doesn’t make any difference whether it’s sunny, raining or icy, the key seems to be the small bump or ridge in the road surface. (It’s fine over ‘larger’ obstacles such as speed-bumps etc.)

I’m not sure if it’s related, but the only other thing that I’ve noticed over the last 8 - 9 months is that the ride has become pretty hard – as if the suspension’s shot, or there’s no air in the tyres. I had it checked out in the summer for wishbone/ bushes problems, (as highlighted in the forum) but all came back okay from the garage, so I assumed it was just the car’s age etc.

Has anyone got any ideas about this please? (I’m not very technical I’m afraid – so it may have to be in simple-speak!)

Thanks in anticipation.

Sharon

it could be any number of things, but most likely cause is going to be a vacuum leak in one of the rubber hoses, the flexing of the pipe on bumps could be causing air to escape. What ever the cause it needs fixing ASAP, if you crash chances are your insurance will not pay out as your brakes would under inspection be obviously defective.

It could be an ABS fault, where it thinks that the wheels are locking at low speed. I've seen it on cars where the ABS sensor rings have broken due to corrosion underneath them and become loose, I don't think that the Fabia uses the same design.

I've only ever had this going over large bumps at speed (like 40-50mph). I presume what happens then though is the wheels become somewhat airborne losing traction and so the ABS engages.

And don't be gentle on the brakes all the time, they need a good hard press now and again (done with care of course).

Edited 19 December, 201015 yr by anewman

So basically the ABS is triggering. i have to agree its not particuarly good on the Furby, the same issue caused me to have a small accident in mine.

Start with the basics.. tyre pressures/sizes/condition. if youve noticed a difference in ride quality you could have a blown damper which would reduce the contact between a tyre and road.. something the ABS would notice if the wheel hit a bump while braking.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I think the best thing to do, is probably to get the brakes & shock absorbers checked out at my local garage. I'll take along your comments too - so they know I've looked into the cause.

Much appreciated as always.

The brake vacuum pipe split on my vrs a few months back causing the brakes to fail, I don't know how long it had been split for as I never had a problem with the brakes and only discovered it was split when doing the gasket to fix the stutter, luckily I could do a quick fix and get it to the dealers who replaced the whole vacuum pipe with a new one.

It may be worth having the vacuum pipe checked also

A dud vacuum pipe would make the pedal stiffer. The way to check is to pump the pedal with the ignition off a good few times, it should get firmer as the vacuum is exhausted from the brake assist. Keep it held down and start the car, the pedal should sink once the engine has started and vacuum returns to the brake assist.

A lot of the fast fit places do free brake checks. You could at least get it checked there and then decide whether to get them to fix things or go elsewhere.

A lot of the fast fit places do free brake checks. You could at least get it checked there and then decide whether to get them to fix things or go elsewhere.

Recommend *strongly* against most fast fit places "free" checks. The check is only free to bring in work and more often than not will tell you you need new pads, new discs, new shoes, new drums etc. Kwik Fit will mention their free brake pads for life but they neglect to tell you the small print which is that you have to agree to them doing any other work they want to to the vehicle at the time, which they usually do want to do as they like doing unnecessary work to bring the money in and get their bonuses. Plus most of them are only geared up for the basic work that any idiot can do (pads, discs, shoes, drums, bleeding) and when it comes to faults like the one described by the OP will just replace all said parts and hope that cures it without the slightest clue if it will or not. Some are even known to blackmail people into getting work done by saying it is disassembled and it is illegal for them to reassemble it and for you to drive away, and that you'll die as soon as you leave their forecourt. They obviously have a poor understanding of the law as if it has an MOT legally you're fine, only issue is if you knowingly drive a faulty car and cause an accident - but in many cases if they need to blackmail people into getting work done the car is perfectly fine without any work. I am sure worse things have happened, I know of someone who told me Kwik Fit vandalised their brakes and they caught them in the act (scoring the discs) and I am sure it's not unknown for parts to be grabbed from the bin and oil to be sprayed places to *prove* work needs doing.

If you can find a good independent garage, particularly if one is recommended by friends, then that is probably the one to go to.

Edited 21 December, 201015 yr by anewman

Could try MOT station and ask for braking efficiencies to be carried out on the rolling road to test brakes out??

If the pedal needs pushing very very hard to slow the car then suspect vacuum. If the pedal pushing makes no difference suspect ABS.

Edit; if your shock absorbers are tired then the car will lift off for a moment and the ABS will cut in - once working, it doesn't stop working until you lift off the brakes.

Edited 21 December, 201015 yr by viewer