Strange noise when slowly braking to a stop >>FIXED<<

[LeonGTI]

sounds just like friction material is producing a 'wire brush' sound. This is not a problem functionally but probably annoying! This is not uncommon on budget end of the scale cars (wouldn't see it on Audi/BMW).

If there is no damage on discs / pads, not at higher speeds, no effect on performance, then just ignore and keep an eye on it.

I've just noticed the 'moo'/'owl' noise coming from engine at low speeds on my ref sport that others have noticed and tried to do something about but am just gunna leave as not really that important in the scale of things!

 

[s3quence]

No I haven't whipped of the caliper yet as I don't have the appropriate tools. Tempted to just leave that option to the Seat dealer. However I have searched around the internet and have come across a similar post and description where a small pebble has got in between the disc and the disc guard. Which would explain the terrible screeching sound I heard last Friday. So I may take the back wheels off and have a look around plus a high powered powerjet.

Was that my thread?

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=148521

 

[Xe]

Was that my thread?

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=148521

Nah it was another post on a different forum Strange that I didn't come across yours while searching.

FIXED

Anyway car was in at the Seat dealer today, and the sound is fixed and gone. They said that rust had built up on the outer lip of the disc brake (not the actual disc brake), the outer bit of metal. So they stripped it all down and cleaned everything up. So now we all know what the problem was. Hope it helps someone else out in the future. Thank you all for your replies and help

They also said I had at least another 10,000 miles on my brake pads yay!

 

[alx_chung]

Nah it was another post on a different forum Strange that I didn't come across yours while searching.

FIXED

Anyway car was in at the Seat dealer today, and the sound is fixed and gone. They said that rust had built up on the outer lip of the disc brake (not the actual disc brake), the outer bit of metal. So they stripped it all down and cleaned everything up. So now we all know what the problem was. Hope it helps someone else out in the future. Thank you all for your replies and help

They also said I had at least another 10,000 miles on my brake pads yay!

Nice one! Good to hear that you got it fixed.
So did they actually show you where the rust was at all so that we can have a look if this happens to someone else?
Alex

 

[chrisboyle999]

did they sting you for it?

 

[leon1p]

I've got this too.. from what I can gather it's just the usual lip of the disc that the pads are not in contact with.. quite obvious to feel on mine.. I wonder if as the discs are corroding they are swelling slightly around the edge? I thought my discs were on the way out but that was a few months ago now and they have been silent recently. Sometimes I also get a clanging noise like the exhaust hitting something but I think that is a stone caught behind the disc backplate because it disappears as quickly as it appears too. I've now down 38k and the brake pads still look like they could go another 38k but might swap them at the next service and upgrade the discs.

 

[silverfox]

Nice one! Good to hear that you got it fixed.
So did they actually show you where the rust was at all so that we can have a look if this happens to someone else?
Alex

This is quite a common occurrence. The outer lip/edge of the disc often has a raised edge which can sometimes have a rust build up. There is only a tiny clearance between caliper and edge of disc so if builds up enough it can foul the caliper. Very easy to fix, just take wheel off, and use a small hammer to 'tap' all the way round the perimeter of the disc. The light rust should just fall away. You can then test it before putting wheel back on by rotating the disc and listening. If they charged me £50 for that I'd feel robbed!

 

[Xe]

Hmm.... funny that this post should show up again, because the problem came back a few weeks after it was fixed.
Tried to take it back to the Seat dealer and got fobbed of with the excuse that it was the break pad itself that was causing the noise (even though they sorted it before by cleaning the lip????). Something about impurities in the pad material or some rubbish. Basically that don't want to keep cleaning off the rust lip I think. I think its a defect of the design using cheap materials.

So I'm just waiting for the pads to wear out, and then if the noise is still there I will just refuse to take the car back until they get it sorted. Only thing is that they said the back had 10k left on them. While the fronts were 75% worn out. Grr just got to keep breaking hard and wear them out lol.

Tempted to try this hammer tip. * Goes off to find myself a sledge hammer*

 

[silverfox]

Hmm.... funny that this post should show up again, because the problem came back a few weeks after it was fixed.
Tried to take it back to the Seat dealer and got fobbed of with the excuse that it was the break pad itself that was causing the noise (even though they sorted it before by cleaning the lip????). Something about impurities in the pad material or some rubbish. Basically that don't want to keep cleaning off the rust lip I think. I think its a defect of the design using cheap materials.

So I'm just waiting for the pads to wear out, and then if the noise is still there I will just refuse to take the car back until they get it sorted. Only thing is that they said the back had 10k left on them. While the fronts were 75% worn out. Grr just got to keep breaking hard and wear them out lol.

Tempted to try this hammer tip. * Goes off to find myself a sledge hammer*

trust me, just go and do it yourself - it's dead easy. I've had this happen on loads of cars in the past. it only takes a firm tap on the disc lip with a hammer and the rust will fall off in chunks. Work your way right round the disc and problem solved. 2-3 minutes max, once the wheel is off.

 

[leon1p]

Mine was scuffing this morning , PS if you tap off the lip make sure you tap where the bits will fall to the ground and not onto your pads or behind your heat shield etc

Current state of mine at 38k (front)

 

[PhilYerBoots]

Thought I'd post on this older thread rather than start a new one, as I think we may have a similar problem that I'd like advice on.

Since collecting our car with 2.5k miles in Feb08 we have only covered around 3k miles, but since day 1 we've been getting brake 'squeal' and rubbing noises, normally at low speeds and just as the car stops. It is intermittent if in a straight line but always happens and is generally louder if the wheels are turned as you stop. As it didn't seem to affect the braking we didn't pay much attention to the problem tbh...
We also noticed from day 1 that when stopping in a hurry the brakes were not as sharp as the previous Stylance model we had or another FR that we test drove...

Lately though the noise has become a more 'metallic' screeching sound, which sounds worse, and is noticable inside or outside the car, again worse with the wheels turned when stopping.
With the wheels on I can't see any noticable problems with the discs or pads but could these problems be caused by the same 'rim rust' mentioned already in this thread, or do you think it would be best to take the car into a dealer to checkout ?...as the lack of brake sharpness compared to other Leons we've driven concerns me slightly...

 

[leon1p]

I've had scuffing noises and grinding noises as my previous post.. The last day I had a squeal too (the kind you might associate with having no grease on the back of the pads).

Tapping off the rust then maybe giving the back of the disc shields a clear out with a pressure wash or something might do the trick.. alternatively maybe you need the pads reseated.

I'm booked in for new discs and pads next weekend woohoo.

 

[Xe]

leon1p what % are your pads worn down to?

I recently took my car to a different garage. Explained the history of the problem. They said ahh yes common problem break dust needs to be cleaned off. Now car is back to normal. Although I have very sensitive ears. I'm tempted to get in with a dremmel and wire brush etc.

If your brakes are making strange noises deffo get them checked out!

 

[PhilYerBoots]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm just a little peeved that a car that's done less than 6k miles should have this sort of problem. I'm tempted to take it back to LC Charles in Crewe to look at the brakes under warranty (even though Liverpool's nearer for us now..) as it was one of their own cars previously...

 

[leon1p]

leon1p what % are your pads worn down to?

I recently took my car to a different garage. Explained the history of the problem. They said ahh yes common problem break dust needs to be cleaned off. Now car is back to normal. Although I have very sensitive ears. I'm tempted to get in with a dremmel and wire brush etc.

If your brakes are making strange noises deffo get them checked out!

Not sure mate.. when you look at the front ones there actually appears to be plenty pad left.. I'm just at the stage now where at 40k i might as well get the brakes done before I spend the money on something else. I'll keep the old discs and pads in case when I come to sell the car the new discs/pads are toast

 

[Xe]

I've done 36K and dealer said month or two back the fronts were ~70% worn and rears had ~10K left