My Octavia no longer brakes evenly, it tends to grab slightly as if the discs are worn unevenly. The discs were replaced 18 months ago, so I cannot see that they are worn. It is most noticeable as the car comes to a standstill. I took it to the garage I use for any maintenance and they said that all they could fault was that handbrake, which was not releasing properly. This was changed, but it has made no difference. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience with their brakes.

This isn't the correct area Peter, this is for website issues not the cars.

 

I'm sure a mod will move this to the correct place.

Moved to MK2 area.

Are you able to be more specific? Does it grab side to side, or more like the first inch of the pedal has a deadzone and then suddenly grabs?

As I recently found on my sons 1.2tsi when changing discs and pads myself, its not sufficient for a garage/dealer just to check brakes. I found all 4 calipers were binding badly because of the build up of crud and corrosion and none of the expensive servicing I paid for bothered to clean or even check the brakes at that level. The thing that gave it away was the ridiculous amount of black brake dust that coated the alloys front and rear in a short time after cleaning. Also morning starts you could clearly hear the brakes dragging for the first hundred metres or so.

I suggest you drive around, from cold, very gently around your neighbourhood for a mile or so, try to use the brakes as little as possible, use engine braking instead. Then when you stop, carefully check the disc temperatures using the back of your fingers (take care!). The back discs should be cold and the front discs should be only slightly warm. If they are hot/stinking hot then it indicates a binding brake.

To fix them, requires you to strip off the calipers/pads then clean all parts thoroughly, I needed to file down the carrier/caliper/pads where they slide against each other. This is where they corrode and stick fast. When reassembling use the correct brake grease (cer-tec non metallic grease, its not expensive from ECP) to lubricate the sliding points. You will probably also find the rear of the discs are badly rusted. They can be cleaned up with a file but its probably far easier and quicker just to replace discs and pads. Dealer parts are no better than parts from GSF or ECP at less than half the price - just avoid the cheapest options they offer.

Of course at the same time, bleed the brakes as the fluid has probably been cooked in the calipers.

Edited 9 April, 201610 yr by xman

Thanks for the response robt100, and xman, sorry for the delay in responding, still not sure how I got here! The "soft grab" I get is more noticeable when I have almost stopped, but braking at higher speed can result is steering wheel wobble. I have checked the front discs for warping, but have found nothing, and I will check the thickness of the discs on the rear when I get a minute, but I fear I will come up with a blank. As for the brakes binding xman, the garage replaced the handbrake cable as they said it was not releasing, and yes, there was always brake dust on the alloys, which seems to be a little better now, but I will check them out after a "brake free " run. Cheers.

Edited 18 April, 201610 yr by peter.dearson

The "soft grab" I get is more noticeable when I have almost stopped, but braking at higher speed can result is steering wheel wobble. I have checked the front discs for warping, but have found nothing

I've had this on my car. Turned out I'd actually cracked the disc down a few of the vents inside. Thankfully it was a new set of discs so got them replaced under warranty!