Hi all. 2005   Fabia Mk1. When braking I’m getting a regular pulsing on front right wheel at all speeds.   Also happens when I’m steering left or right without braking. Started happening after car was left parked up for a week. Handbrake had seized on (as they do!) if that makes a difference.  No feedback through steering wheel.  Sounds like a problem with disc? Pads? Or bearing? Any ideas. Thanks in advance. 

Edited 7 August, 20196 yr by manchesterman
Spelling.

On 07/08/2019 at 23:20, manchesterman said:

problem with disc? Pads

Turn your wheels out and have good look around inside edge of brake disc with a torch, phone torch. 

Look at the surface of disc. If there are concentric rust marks, even after just driving car (which should remove rust) it is likely your front discs (or one of them) is worn out and not braking as well as other side of car. 

Check pad thickness while you are at it.

Wheel bearing= probably not, you would hear grinding noise? Jack car up and spin front wheels and listen for grinding noise. Particularly after driving. It might be hotter near centre cap of alloy if wheel bearing giving up?

 

I'm guessing parking up car for a week and the surface brake disc rust has seen off the last remaining bit of usable friction material on brake disc, Eg 98% to 100% worn on one part of brake surface. 

 

I'm armchair guessing here though. 

 

Check temperature of brake discs. If one hotter than other.side of same axle. Possibly caliper seizing etc...

Edited 15 August, 20196 yr by bmbmdmb

How do you know it's the front right?

Hi Sepulchrave. I can hear it under my right foot as I’m driving. Roy. 

Take it somewhere for diagnosis. 

Thanks all. Turns out the problem was the front discs had a film of rust on them which had caused the pulsing. Took the car for a few runs with liberal applications if brakes (in the safe places) and the car is now quiet on braking and right as rain. Lesson learnt. Don’t leave the car standing so long next time.  

Also be aware ( as any folks with Cavalier experience will know ) that certain makes of rear shoes can glue themselves to rear drums after a bit of wet weather driving. Cure in very wet weather is to leave handbrake off and leave car in reverse.

Ha ha. Tell me about it. Happens regularly when I leave the car for more than three days   Happened with my daughters VW polo also. Luckily I have somewhere off-road where I can leave the car as you describe. Many thanks.