Hi, so I'm the new owner of a 2008 Skoda Fabia. Had it about 12 days and MOT was done on 4th November (all good).

So I've noticed that the car makes a clunk when I first move off from cold. Ignition OK, handbrake released ok, but there is a slight clunk when the wheels first move, as if they are stuck slightly. No other problems driving, doesn't happen when moving off at lights or anything once actually on the move.Only happens if it's been left overnight or all day at work.

I used to get this with my old Renault, but only after having been left for a lot longer- like a week or more.

So, I guess my question is is this OK? Do I need to panic and get it looked at or is it normal? Is it weather related? (I'm in Scotland and it has basically been wet for the last two weeks)

Advice for other cars seems to range from perfectly OK to clunk of death!

Sounds like sticky rear brakes, due to moisture, try leaving the car in gear with the handbrake off instead of putting the handbrake on at work or overnight and see if this stops the noise

Yeah sticking handbrake. Common thing.

'they all do that, sir'

Just to throw something else in.

Might be the abs self check. Completely normal.

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Edited 19 November, 201510 yr by aholloway21

Just to throw something else in.

To me I would say this is actually the abs self check. Completely normal.

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The way to check would be as above then?

Park the car on a level surface and leave it in gear without the handbrake on.

I know mine does it and it is the handbrake. Its worse if its rained or ive jetwashed/washed it.

If it's the abs self check you would notice it almost immediately after pulling off at around 5-10mph I think?

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If it's the abs self check you would notice it almost immediately after pulling off at around 5-10mph I think?

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When my brakes clunk it is literally the second your wheels try to turn, of course.

Not felt an abs clunk, personally.

Never ever felt a ABS Self check either in any vehicle.

Could it be an engine or gearbox mount?

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Mine does this if I reverse then park, leave it a while, then move off forwards. Evidently the brake pads move slightly in the shims and, when you've braked whilst moving backwards and then applied the hand brake, the pads come to rest in the shims on the opposite side of their 'normal' position. Once you release the handbrake and move forwards the pads move back into their 'normal' position and that's what makes the clunk sound. Mine hasn't done it of late, which might be due to the pads wearing down after 45K. Nowt to worry about so I was told.

Thanks all, yes leaving it parked without the handbrake on solved the problem!

its a feature of the fabias handbrake. it sticks on a little. They actually do all do that haha

 

people have known it to lock a wheel when pulling away, but ive never had that.

Perhaps the trick is not to pull the handbrake too tight! I don't get that happen to mine... Or at least not yet! 

Perhaps the trick is not to pull the handbrake too tight! I don't get that happen to mine... Or at least not yet! 

 

i think the harder you pull it on, the worse it sticks tbh. im always careful with mine, as i dont want to stretch the cable, but it still does it abit. 

 

maybe you need to wash your car more  

The trick is not to leave the car with the handbrake pulled, as suggested earlier in this thread. Put it in 1st gear, wheels turned a bit inward to the sidewalk.

Never had a car do this before.

 

Fabia seems to be exceptionally bad for it.

 

Sadly my drive has a slight slope so leaving it in gear/without handbrake isnt an option for me.

I have EBC pads at the rear, did at the front until recently but just replaced them with Bosch. Obviously its gonna be the rears that stick but brands may make a difference. 

Who hear is running on "Skoda?VW" Branded rears? Also, is it an issue relating to brake pads, fitted to discs or brake shoes, fitted to drums? 

I am not actually too sure now, as I seem to recall some cars (Not particularly VW group vehicles) Despite having brake pads and discs on the bum-end, still having internal shoes sole for handbrake usage. Is this the case with the Fabia? If so, I myself will still be running on Skoda/VW genuine parts.

The issue mainly talked about here is with the cars still with Drum Brakes at the rear and Brake Shoes.

Not the Fabias with Disc Brakes at the rear.

 

Rear Disc Brakes can also stick and the disc get surface corrosion and grind etc, 

but that is just how it is.  Different Discs and Pads and Shoes can behave differently and many are not a problem.

I have EBC pads at the rear, did at the front until recently but just replaced them with Bosch. Obviously its gonna be the rears that stick but brands may make a difference.

Who hear is running on "Skoda?VW" Branded rears? Also, is it an issue relating to brake pads, fitted to discs or brake shoes, fitted to drums?

I am not actually too sure now, as I seem to recall some cars (Not particularly VW group vehicles) Despite having brake pads and discs on the bum-end, still having internal shoes sole for handbrake usage. Is this the case with the Fabia? If so, I myself will still be running on Skoda/VW genuine parts.

Mines a 2013 car with OEM skoda rear drums and shoes.

Its done it since new.

I dont really consider it a problem though tbh.

The issue mainly talked about here is with the cars still with Drum Brakes at the rear and Brake Shoes.

Not the Fabias with Disc Brakes at the rear.

 

Rear Disc Brakes can also stick and the disc get surface corrosion and grind etc, 

but that is just how it is.  Different Discs and Pads and Shoes can behave differently and many are not a problem.

Didnt realize that. My MKII has rear discs. And do stick for a good word.

Got new discs and pads etc this summer, but that doesnt make any difference. It may be a god idea to motion the handbrake once in a while by driving with the handbrake slightly pulled over a shorter distance.

But mainly, never leave the car for any longer time with the handbrake pullet. 1st or rear gear engaged does it. Even on slight slopes.

Hi, so I'm the new owner of a 2008 Skoda Fabia. Had it about 12 days and MOT was done on 4th November (all good).

So I've noticed that the car makes a clunk when I first move off from cold. Ignition OK, handbrake released ok, but there is a slight clunk when the wheels first move, as if they are stuck slightly. No other problems driving, doesn't happen when moving off at lights or anything once actually on the move.Only happens if it's been left overnight or all day at work.

I used to get this with my old Renault, but only after having been left for a lot longer- like a week or more.

So, I guess my question is is this OK? Do I need to panic and get it looked at or is it normal? Is it weather related? (I'm in Scotland and it has basically been wet for the last two weeks)

Advice for other cars seems to range from perfectly OK to clunk of death!

Almost certainly damp brakes, as other have said. Not an issue. ABS salf- check would be a whirr at around 4 mph. Just to remind people ABS does not work below 4mph - I used to have fun sliding over wet leaves when parking with brakes hard on. That used to be a technique for stopping fresh snow, lock the wheels and let the snow form a wedge in front of them!

Didnt realize that. My MKII has rear discs. And do stick for a good word.

Got new discs and pads etc this summer, but that doesnt make any difference. It may be a god idea to motion the handbrake once in a while by driving with the handbrake slightly pulled over a shorter distance.

But mainly, never leave the car for any longer time with the handbrake pullet. 1st or rear gear engaged does it. Even on slight slopes.

Rear discs are often 'drum in hat' - that is the service brake is disc but inside the rear disc is a small brake shoe set up for the parking brake.