Brake problem....

[Wobby]

My car had (i think) a warped disk on the front. When braking i could apply slight pressure and make the brakes pulse and the pads come on/off the disk per revolution of the road wheels. I also had a slight vibration transmit into the driveshaft when free wheeling at very slow speeds, again i blamed the disk.

Changed the disks and pads and some of the problem has gone, one was definately warped. Sadly the brakes feel to be pulsing (probably just on one wheel). Under hard braking the ABS comes on and the car stops well and in a straight line.

There is something not right, could the ABS pump be faulty? Could it be anything else on the brakes to give this type of fault? My feeling is i will have a warped disk again very quickily unless i fix it! I am to change the brake fluid as the first option as its never been done

Any help appreciated

PS. car is a Passat TDI130 2001 with 248k.

[pontyslapper]

Had a similar problem on the Mondy estate - would vibrate like a bugger when heavy braking from 70-80mph down to 30-40mph like when coming off M-way to slip roads.

Changed pads, discs, fluid, wheels balanced, tracked etc. Then I happened to change the tyres as part of normal maintenance - problem solved!

Bit drastic unless it falls as part of your normal maintenance of the car.

[Wobby]

Thanks for the advice, have done the discs, pads and had new tyres on the front all balanced.

I cant feel heavy vibration, people in the car cant feel anything. All i know is if i hold the pedal in the same position i can feel something

Maybe just me, going to do the fluid when i get chance see if that fixes anything

[Durrsaku]

Are the pads bedded in yet? I did my brakes all round last week (discs and pads) but not fluid. Have you checked they are not biting in one side more. Could be a caliper issue.

[ChrisBradburn]

I had this problem a while ago (at about 30k miles). I changed the front brake pads and discs but left the rears as they had a lot of meat on them. The problem was reduced but never gone completely.

Then I changed the rear discs and pads and the problem was gone. The rear discs were covered in marks from where the handbrake had been applied overninght. I haven't had the problem since and the brakes are still excellent even if overdue for a fluid change.

My son's Clio Sport had a vibration at the front after clipping a kerb. That turned out to be tyres but you only find out when you can afford to change them.