Skoda Superb mk III 1.4 TSI DSG estate.

 

I parked my car up for a week on my drive - electronic handbrake on, gear selector in P.  No one else has access to the car.  I returned from holiday after 7 days yesterday. Today I drove the car. Immediately I pulled away the car felt wrong - like the handbrake was on (but it wasn't) - a real resistance to motion. The car did move off, however, and drives fine. But every time I apply the brakes there's a pronounced knocking sound that booms throughout the cabin, the harder I brake, the louder the noise. The brakes do work though and feel as effective as ever. There are no warning lights displayed, the tyre pressures are good, the engine noise is normal and driving is smooth. I drove a couple of miles into town and back hoping it might self-fix, but it didn't - the banging noise is still present every time I brake. I think there might also be a faint knocking sound even when the car is in normal motion, but not sure now if that's paranoia. 

 

Any ideas?

 

The only other possibly relevant thing I can think of it that I did have the car jetwashed at one of those hand car wash places the day I went away, but I noticed nothing wrong when driving home after that.

Edited 21 July, 20196 yr by Awed
missed word

It's probably just a slight rusting of the discs due to the car wash.

7 minutes ago, john999boy said:

It's probably just a slight rusting of the discs due to the car wash.

 

So do you recommend any particular action, @john999boy?  The sound is terrible. I'm amazed enough rust can accumulate in a week. 

Does it have rear discs or drums? Could be similar to Citigo brake issues. If you leave the brake applied when the discs are hot the portion covered by the pads cools at a different rate and the disc can warp which could create this.

Just now, thebrighton said:

Does it have rear discs or drums? Could be similar to Citigo brake issues. If you leave the brake applied when the discs are hot the portion covered by the pads cools at a different rate and the disc can warp which could create this.

 

Discs all round. I wouldn't have thought the discs were particularly hot when I parked up before going away, I'd have only driven a mile from the car wash. But the rhythmic "bang-bang-bang" nature of the sound does sound like something "off true", like a damaged bearing or warped disc.

 

Mileage is 11,000 BTW, car only 14 months old.

44 minutes ago, Awed said:

 But the rhythmic "bang-bang-bang" nature of the sound does sound like something "off true", like a damaged bearing or warped disc.

 

Mileage is 11,000 BTW, car only 14 months old.

 

Look at the rear discs, you'll probably see a pad shaped area on disc where the pads were applied whilst parked up. So you have an area of different corrosion/thickness, that is make the rythmic noise.

 

On conventional handbraked cars you could just apply the handbrake moderately whilst moving to clean the disc up.

 

You can't do this on the Superb electronic handbrake (don't even try to attempt it, it will give you brown pants).

 

Only advice I can offer is to do some heavy (foot) braking from speed to clean the discs, don't go mad and over heat the discs, allow them to cool between each hard braking.

 

Its unfortunately the rubbish quality rear discs and pads that Skoda fit.

 

Several other threads on ridiculously short service life due to corrosion in the Superb forum if you look.

 

If replacing discs and pads it's highly recommended you fit any other quality aftermarket brand and avoid Skoda parts which are pants.

 

If leaving the car parked for several days in the open, consider leaving the parking brake off, (turn autohold off to allow this) and the cars DSG in Park (or for manual cars, in 1st or reverse gear). To stop the pads welding themselves to the crappy discs when it rains.

 

 

 

 

Edited 21 July, 20196 yr by xman

Interesting, @Awol. I can't see any pad-shaped areas but on the rear off-side disk there is a distinctly visible discoloured area that feels rough to the touch. Maybe this is a zone of corrosion responsible for the noise? All the other discs looks clean and smooth (but perhaps that's deceptive).

 

Is there any possibility I could make things worse following your drive-and-brake-hard recipe? Might it be worth taking the car to the dealer? Or will they simply do what you suggest and charge me for it?

Well I can see a pad shaped area on your photo but more seriously also a large delaminated area where part of the disc surface has detached. This is the source of the banging. The disk is toast. Complain under warranty as that delamination shouldn't happen and indicates the disc was manufactured with faulty material.

 

Good luck however getting past the wear and tear get out clause stonewall that Skoda will try on. This is not wear and tear. Shout it out loud to them.

Oh, cheers for that, @X man. (Called you "AWOL" before, sorry!)

 

Is the car safe to drive in that condition to the dealer ~12 miles away?

 

Was that damage caused by the combination of being washed and parked up, or something else?

It is safe to drive, but use moderate braking, that disc will eat the brake pad fairly quickly (talking 100's or more miles). Bear in mind on that wheel, braking will be weak and inconsistent so take it steady. 

 

Recommend you take to a dealer and confront them asap 

 

Water is responsible for corrosion on all disc brakes and can't be avoided. However corrosion should be only on the surface and is not normally a problem. In your case corrosion has occurred under the surface, because the steel had voids and subsurface faults.  It was faulty when made.

Thanks, @xman, I shall contact the dealer first thing tomorrow and take it to them. Will let you know how I get on.

I would think it ok to drive that reasonably short distance as 75% of braking is done on the front anyway. Just take it easy and brake early and gently. I was going to say don't brake hard anyway but softly, over distance, up until someone said the disc has delaminated...

I think the issue was most likely caused or at least exacerbated by the wash and leave for a week situation. 

As for a claim for faulty parts, I doubt that will hold water unless the vehicle is six months old and has only done a few thousand miles. Brakes are so easy to knacker, especially on an automatic, where people tend to over brake down hills, etc whilst manual vehicles use more engine braking. 

 

If they offer a degree of compensation, it may still be better value replacing the parts yourself (If possible) As places such as Carparts4less sell pads and discs so cheap, the complete  set of pads, discs, any grease, replacement pins/bolts, hydraulic jack, axle stands, wheel chocs  AND a Haynes manual will most likely cost less then one single main dealer disc!

31 minutes ago, mrgf said:

If they offer a degree of compensation, it may still be better value replacing the parts yourself (If possible) As places such as Carparts4less sell pads and discs so cheap, the complete  set of pads, discs, any grease, replacement pins/bolts, hydraulic jack, axle stands, wheel chocs  AND a Haynes manual will most likely cost less then one single main dealer disc!

I've no doubt you're right, but this is my only car and I need it a.s.a.p., I've no experience at car repairs, so dealer it will have to be. Jeez, what an expensive car wash that turned out to be, or maybe this damage was inevitable anyway.

Doesn’t have to go to a dealer. Lots of cheaper alternatives. 

37 minutes ago, Tech1e said:

Doesn’t have to go to a dealer. Lots of cheaper alternatives. 

 

It should be a warranty job, it's not wear and tear, his car is a little over a year old, 11,000 miles, easy to check front brakes to see if car has been abused brake wise. Its impossible to drive with handbrake on etc.

 

At the very least >75% goodwill imo.

 

Depends on attitude of the Dealer.

 

Others have been successful with similar Superb rear brake claims. Check the Superb forum .

 

Having said that, replacement Skoda parts are no better going by reports on Briskoda.

 

Bosch, Brembo, even Pagid all better, (Eurocarparts have 50% sale ATM)

 

If it were me, I would probably source some ATE discs and ATE ceramic pads and get them fitted at a good independent or do them myself.

 

Tip: At the dealer, don't mention the jetwash thing, they will try and blame that, chemicals used, you didn't dry the brakes properly etc etc.

 

Edited 21 July, 20196 yr by xman

@xman duly noted. Thanks for the tips. Will update. 

I'm totally amazed that the discs have ended up like that.

I usually notice a slight hesitation from the auto handbrake as my cars get washed/garaged with about 18 hours before their next use but that is just .

5 hours ago, xman said:

Well I can see a pad shaped area on your photo but more seriously also a large delaminated area where part of the disc surface has detached.

 

Have another look, to me it looks more like the surface of the pad that has adhered to the disc! You can even make out the slot in the middle.

 

Actually on the first pic it does look more like the disc that is buggered, its so hard to tell. Either way, I've never seen anything like that on an old car never mind a new one, bit disappointing to need a brake job so soon

Edited 21 July, 20196 yr by SuperbTWM

17 minutes ago, SuperbTWM said:

 

Have another look, to me it looks more like the surface of the pad that has adhered to the disc! You can even make out the slot in the middle.

 

Actually on the first pic it does look more like the disc that is buggered, its so hard to tell. Either way, I've never seen anything like that on an old car never mind a new one, bit disappointing to need a brake job so soon

 

You might be right, it could be pad material on the disc, though I don't how it would manage to stay adhered to the disc.

 

Needs better photos or someone to inspect, wheel off even better.

Check out the image of the brakes here of an "approved" used vehicle;

 

https://usedcars.skoda.co.uk/en/used-cars/skoda/superb/20-tsi-220ps-sportline-dsg-5dr-estate-nxbv7f4

 

1 hour ago, Bud said:

Check out the image of the brakes here of an "approved" used vehicle;

 

https://usedcars.skoda.co.uk/en/used-cars/skoda/superb/20-tsi-220ps-sportline-dsg-5dr-estate-nxbv7f4

 

 

Well, the jury is back and the verdict is in.

 

To cut a long story short, £255.  That's for new discs and pads on both rear wheels.  No dice on the warranty. The garage were sympathetic but it's not their call, it's the centralised warranty team's.  Despite the undoubtedly wise words offered above I have gone with Skoda parts. I need the car back soon, it's my only one.

 

I could fight this but I can't be arsed. Take the hit and get on with my life. 

 

HOWEVER, what the flip flop do I do to prevent this in future?  I cannot be the only person to have parked a wet car and gone on holiday for a week. (I think the car went 9 days without being driven). Was I just very unlucky? Or are the garages of Britain always busy in the summer months with holiday returnees? Do I leave off the electronic handbrake (does it auto turn on?) and chock the wheels with some bricks, with the gear in "P"?

24 minutes ago, Awed said:

 

HOWEVER, what the flip flop do I do to prevent this in future?  I cannot be the only person to have parked a wet car and gone on holiday for a week. (I think the car went 9 days without being driven). Was I just very unlucky? Or are the garages of Britain always busy in the summer months with holiday returnees? Do I leave off the electronic handbrake (does it auto turn on?) and chock the wheels with some bricks, with the gear in "P"?

 

Firstly, don't wash your car immediately before going to park up for several days.

 

If parked on fairly level ground, turn autohold off, that allows to park without rear parking brake being applied. Leave DSG in Park (or for a manual, 1st gear, unless car is pointing uphill, then reverse gear). Leave steering in a safe position (think about if the car was to roll away). If worried, chock one of the wheels.

 

Did you ask about the 2 yr parts/labour warranty on Skoda dealer repairs? Doubt it would cover brakes though.

 

 

Edited 22 July, 20196 yr by xman

I routinely leave my car parked up for 7-10 days. Mostly, I set the parking brake. The discs rust. There is almost always a tug when the pads break from the discs, but if there's any sound of scraping it's gone by the end of the block. I very occasionally use a hand car wash with pressure hoses. Usually, I wash the car myself. I have 15K miles on the car and no sign of the terrible wear and grooved discs I've seen others complain about. Just lucky, I guess.

I still feel that some of this comes from people being soft on the brakes, you see many people trailing brakes into corners and polishing the discs up.  Brake hard in a straight line for 2 reasons; get to know how the ABS will feel and then know how to steer and second to know what your emergency stopping distances actually are.  It's not about how quick the car is but how quickly it will stop.  Best piece of advice I got on a motorcycle training course and it applies to cars as well.  If you practice this I would suggest that everything will be OK, I have 30k miles and no problems.  

 

That said I always go out after washing and ensure surface rust and moisture is cleared.  

 

@Awed Seen these?

Edited 22 July, 20196 yr by Bud
Pic Link