Brakes grinding noise

[Lambeth Cali]

When we returned from France in the summer, on the last half hour of our return to London there was a grinding noise when braking. I forgot to do anything about this but am today about to set off an a half term journey.

Any ideas what this might be?

I think it’s coming from the rear. It’s more than wet and rusty discs I would say.

I’m wondering whether I should get it looked at in S Wales even though that would probably break my huge self-imposed anti-VW dealership ban.

 

[CaliBaba]

When we returned from France in the summer, on the last half hour of our return to London there was a grinding noise when braking. I forgot to do anything about this but am today about to set off an a half term journey.

Any ideas what this might be?

I think it’s coming from the rear. It’s more than wet and rusty discs I would say.

I’m wondering whether I should get it looked at in S Wales even though that would probably break my huge self-imposed anti-VW dealership ban.

Possible rock or other debris lodged in the brake pad or even worn pad?

 

[Azteccamper]

When we returned from France in the summer, on the last half hour of our return to London there was a grinding noise when braking. I forgot to do anything about this but am today about to set off an a half term journey.

Any ideas what this might be?

I think it’s coming from the rear. It’s more than wet and rusty discs I would say.

I’m wondering whether I should get it looked at in S Wales even though that would probably break my huge self-imposed anti-VW dealership ban.

Where you going in south Wales?

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Possible rock or other debris lodged in the brake pad or even worn pad?

What would I do about this?

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Where you going in south Wales?

Tenby

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Off outside to look with iPhone torch and a stick…

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Discs don’t seem scored

 

[Philfox3]

I had a similar issue. It turned out to be a small piece of gravel embedded in the brake pad. I jacked up each side having chocked the other side and span each wheel to isolate which one it was. A combination of a jet wash on the pads and reversing whilst gently applying the brakes got it out. I say small piece of gravel but never found the culprit, there was a line scribed on one of the discs which could have helped spot it.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Seems to make the noise only half the time. Not during gentle braking. Only on final 10mph-0
Think it’s rear passenger side.

Maybe pad on the way out?

And or trapped stone. Not sure how I remedy that?

 

[WelshGas]

Seems to make the noise only half the time. Not during gentle braking. Only on final 10mph-0
Think it’s rear passenger side.

Maybe pad on the way out?

And or trapped stone. Not sure how I remedy that?

The only definitive way is to dismantle .

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I think we’re living with it for now.

 

[Daggartukvan1]

Pads are a lot cheaper than discs - if they are worn or if debris is trapped then this will eventually cause wear to the discs. Why not pop to a garage for a free check then you can decide how to proceed. Needless to say, they are hugely important to your safety.

 

[Perfectos]

I think we’re living with it for now.

I bet it’s corrosion on the inside of the disc.

does the a van stop normally Under normal breaking ?
have your pads got more than. A couple of mm left on them ?
Try pulling the Hand brake on whilst driving to clean the disc up. (obviously not pulling the hand brake on hard, just enough to create some drag and for a few seconds at a time, so not to overheat the pads ).

once this is done try a few hard stops consecutively to clean up the pads / disc.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

If you play Will Young loud enough you can’t hear it.

 

[sidepod]

Does the van have pad wear indicators on both sides of each axle or just one side?
Worn pads making a grating noise would have flagged a warning long ago.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Pads are a lot cheaper than discs - if they are worn or if debris is trapped then this will eventually cause wear to the discs. Why not pop to a garage for a free check then you can decide how to proceed. Needless to say, they are hugely important to your safety.

I thought the only place open on a Sunday would be Quickfit. Had limited time.

In 60,000 miles and 15 years the Cali has never had its pads or discs changed. I mentioned this at last 2 MOT/services at the VW specialist I’ve been taking the van to for at least ten years and they checked them and said they were ok.

My Golf which I recently sold was 15 years and 40,000 miles without pads or discs either.

I’m guessing age doesn’t really have anything to do with it. Very low mileages and almost all motorways.

I’ll get the pads done when home.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Does the van have pad wear indicators on both sides of each axle or just one side?
Worn pads making a grating noise would have flagged a warning long ago.

Do you mean electrical indicators? On the dash? It’s a 2008 SE. Maybe not fitted to the rear pre 2010?

When I looked at discs earlier I couldn’t see anything and couldn’t actually really see the pads but honestly wouldn’t know what I was looking for.

 

[Velma's Dad]

I’m wondering whether I should get it looked at in S Wales even though that would probably break my huge self-imposed anti-VW dealership ban.

I wouldn't worry about trying to find a VW shop, any general workshop should be able to diagnose whatever it is that's causing the brake noise. Not a specialist skill.

The starting point will be to put the van on stands and see which corner is actually making the noise - it can be very deceiving from the driver's seat. They'll then need to have a proper poke around, take the pads out and see if the calipers aren't evidently jammed.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I’ll wait until I get home. Let John look at it.

Peter Norris

www.peternorris.co.uk

Peter Norris (Clapham)
020 7737 1795



https://g.co/kgs/1SFTfT

 

[Nick Stubbs]

My rear pads had shot it at around 60 thou this year, replaced all for corners before our extended trip in may this year cost me around £80 for a full set of genuine parts. But my warning light had come on and surprised it was the rears and not the fronts which had gone.

 

[sidepod]

Do you mean electrical indicators? On the dash? It’s a 2008 SE. Maybe not fitted to the rear pre 2010?

When I looked at discs earlier I couldn’t see anything and couldn’t actually really see the pads but honestly wouldn’t know what I was looking for.

They’re fitted on my 2003 and have been for donkeys years. It’s just a single core lead embedded in the brake pad. When the pads wear, the cable earths out on the disk and flags a warning on the MFD.

 

[sidepod]

Just be careful the calliper isn’t seized/starting to seize and dragging on the disc. They have a habit of doing so.
It can lead to overheating brakes and loss of pressure due to boiling the fluid.
Ask me how I know!
Sleep well.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

My rear pads had shot it at around 60 thou this year, replaced all for corners before our extended trip in may this year cost me around £80 for a full set of genuine parts. But my warning light had come on and surprised it was the rears and not the fronts which had gone.

From what I read last night, on cars the fronts go first but on suvs and vans they are set up differently to deal with extra weight and load so the rears go first.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Where you going in south Wales?

Any garage suggestions?

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Just be careful the calliper isn’t seized/starting to seize and dragging on the disc. They have a habit of doing so.
It can lead to overheating brakes and loss of pressure due to boiling the fluid.
Ask me how I know!
Sleep well.

That would throw up a red light though yes?
Hope so.