Warped discs?

cam7777 · 21-02-2008, 09:27

Hi All

I am having problems with my brakes and wonder if anyone has had similar issues.
I have a 2003 1.9TDi hatchback, 77K miles with FSH.
I had some OEM discs fitted but these soon showed the symptoms of being warped (the car feels jerky under light braking and shakes when braking from 70 MPH.
I changed all 4 discs and pads (brembo) and all was fine for about 4K miles then the problem returned so I changed the front discs again, this time I bought unipart items, 4-5K later and problem returns.

I dont drive hard, I am very light on the brakes as most of my driving is motorway. The brakes are not binding in any way so I am now out of ideas so my question is this:
Is there anything else that I have overlooked? I have no knocking from the front end and everything feels tight, I have even tried booking the car in for diagnoses but (as expected) they found nothing wrong....Any ideas?

vindaloo · 21-02-2008, 13:42

After a quiet drive, feel the alloys near the wheel bolts. As a rule. The front ones are warmer than the back ones. They should be around the same temperature as their partner. i.e. Both fronts or both rears. Don't do this is there's glowing hissing or crackling though - LOL. If there's a mismatch, it's likely you've got a caliper sticking.

DO NOT FEEL THE BRAKE DISKS!!! They could be a tad HOT!

It could just be uneven deposits on the brake disks. If so, you can try braking more aggressively to heat the system up more in an attempt to clean the disks. Do it smoothly whilst no-one else is around.

Also, the rear brakes get little use anyway and the handbrake uses the brake pads. It could be deposits on the rear brakes giving the uneveness. Try pulling up the handbrake at speed and see if you can re-produce the problem.

J.

ap0gee · 21-02-2008, 14:12

I'm inclined to believe this article, which states that warping discs through normal road use is impossible. I had some issues with mine rubbing and not feeling 'right', so went out and bedded them in - I loved the results so much, I was sad enough to film it!

In my case, it was nothing to do with deposits on the discs though, and although I never really got to the bottom of it, I mentioned it to the dealer when it was in for service and they carried out the 'mooing rear calipers' warranty mod which fixed it whatever it actually was!

vRS Dovit · 21-02-2008, 14:56

lol top vid! lol lol
My brakes are making an almost grinding nose, very occasionally. All the pads are fine as are the disks. I'm puttin it down to dirt or grit.

Chrispy · 21-02-2008, 15:19

My 320i used to do it...a lot. Went through several sets of discs in a short space of time.

Apparently it was down to 2 things:

1. The hub surface not being perfectly smooth before the new discs were mounted on them, meaning they were ever so slightly wonky.

2. Poor ventilation from my alloys after hard braking.

Not so sure I believed the second point but after then owning a second almost identical car with nice fat 5 spokes i never had the same problem.
Wierd, but hey, I've seen freakier things. Like a man eating his own head....

cam7777 · 21-02-2008, 15:47

Thanks for the replys, I removed the discs and they are squeaky clean, absolutely no sticking whatsoever but still get the problem.
Its ruining a good car so may consider selling on.

thanks guys

Sammycarp · 21-02-2008, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindaloo

Also, the rear brakes get little use anyway and the handbrake uses the brake pads. It could be deposits on the rear brakes giving the uneveness. Try pulling up the handbrake at speed and see if you can re-produce the problem.

GENTLY!!!

jasc1988 · 21-02-2008, 17:55

You cant get warped discs, lol

Grant · 21-02-2008, 20:24

Often when people brake, say at the end of a slip road and hold the car on the brakes the heat of the pad hardens the part of the disc that is touching the pad.

This causes the disc to wear unevenly as parts are harder than others.

cam7777 · 21-02-2008, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant

Often when people brake, say at the end of a slip road and hold the car on the brakes the heat of the pad hardens the part of the disc that is touching the pad.

This causes the disc to wear unevenly as parts are harder than others.

Nope, don't do that either im afraid

Timo · 22-05-2008, 11:24

Had this on my car after recent discs etc MOT place said it was steering rack, my trusted garage said they were talking crap, it was bushes on track rods and wishbones that had perished to a point where they were making the steering wobble on braking.

Rustle · 22-05-2008, 12:09

Have you thought about the ABS system? Might be worth getting it checked, but please dont take my word for it as I'm not a trained mechanic, just seems odd that after going through a few sets you still have the same problem.

AwesomeSarah · 22-05-2008, 12:14

To tell you the truth , the first post is the exact same problem I had with mine
Brembo discs and OEM pads , warped within a couple of months
Returned the discs and got another set , same happened again
Same car , more mileage though
So I dont brake alot , I hate people sitting with their foot on the footbrake at traffic lights etc , so I know I dont do that
So was well miffed
I ended up going a megga megga harsh brake as there was an accisent in front of me on the M60 , and hey presto all was good after that
Other than me shaking , there was no more on the brakes
If I am slowly coasting down hill and touch the brakes gently to scrub off a bit of speed , I can feel it a bit , but no more issues
But I will not be having Brembo , or standard discs after this set
Sarah

ap0gee · 22-05-2008, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwesomeSarah

Other than me shaking , there was no more on the brakes

Wordsworth, Shakespeare and Larkin couldn't hold a candle to our Sarah's use of the English language!

AwesomeSarah · 22-05-2008, 13:25

You bet

English at school eas not my best subject
Actually it was french and maths

Sarah

ap0gee · 22-05-2008, 13:29

I thought that it was quite good, actually!

AwesomeSarah · 22-05-2008, 13:36

So are you good t french and Maths then

Sarah

ap0gee · 22-05-2008, 13:41

I'm good at most things...

...except dieting!

ap0gee · 22-05-2008, 13:43

Note to self: Stop posting OT

Other note to self: I'm not red today (

) so carry on!

GnatG · 22-05-2008, 16:33

Were the discs fitted for you? I sell brake discs for Mercs, and a common cause of warping according to our supplier is incorrect fitting (not cleaning the hub prior to brake disc placement, over tightening one bolt).

AwesomeSarah · 22-05-2008, 17:09

I had mine fitted here
I think it is only me that has had a problem with discs warping like that
So I dont think it is that
I do 150 miles round trip per day , and I am not heavy on brakes
But they did , but hey that heavy braking soon cured it
Sarah

matt@theforce · 25-05-2008, 07:46

SWMBO's fabia vrs is terrible for juddering when braking and no amount of hard braking cures the problem. We just put up with it now and don't use the car that much.

Ess_Three · 25-05-2008, 16:35

My SE just had it's first service...and had the front brake discs replaced under warranty.
Used as a 'normal' run-about car...not driven hard or brake tested...and under 7000 miles.

At least they were replaced under warranty.

ap0gee · 27-05-2008, 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ess_Three

My SE just had it's first service...and had the front brake discs replaced under warranty.
Used as a 'normal' run-about car...not driven hard or brake tested...and under 7000 miles.

At least they were replaced under warranty.

It's underuse that's causes the problem, though. The discs are made of cast iron and are therefore extremely vulnerable to corrosion. If you don't use them regularly and clear away surface rust, it starts to eat into the disc itself and that wrecks the braking surface. It's particularly bad on rears on the vRS, but I guess the same could apply to the fronts if grannied...

Ess_Three · 02-06-2008, 06:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by ap0gee

It's underuse that's causes the problem, though. The discs are made of cast iron and are therefore extremely vulnerable to corrosion. If you don't use them regularly and clear away surface rust, it starts to eat into the disc itself and that wrecks the braking surface. It's particularly bad on rears on the vRS, but I guess the same could apply to the fronts if grannied...

I can assure you, it's wasn't rust.
I use the car...and use the brakes fairly hard...but it's a road car so doesn't see trackdays etc.

The disc surfaces were perfect...front and rear.
There was run-out on the front discs.

I know what you mean about rear disc corrosion especially on the inside faces, and it's not just vRSs that suffer......both my Golf GTI and 911 suffer in the same way if you put them away wet after washing without taking it round the block to dry the brakes.

21-02-2008, 09:27	#1
cam7777 Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 71 Members Car: Fabia 1.9 TDi Thanks: 3 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Warped discs? Hi All I am having problems with my brakes and wonder if anyone has had similar issues. I have a 2003 1.9TDi hatchback, 77K miles with FSH. I had some OEM discs fitted but these soon showed the symptoms of being warped (the car feels jerky under light braking and shakes when braking from 70 MPH. I changed all 4 discs and pads (brembo) and all was fine for about 4K miles then the problem returned so I changed the front discs again, this time I bought unipart items, 4-5K later and problem returns. I dont drive hard, I am very light on the brakes as most of my driving is motorway. The brakes are not binding in any way so I am now out of ideas so my question is this: Is there anything else that I have overlooked? I have no knocking from the front end and everything feels tight, I have even tried booking the car in for diagnoses but (as expected) they found nothing wrong....Any ideas? __________________ Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDi - 2003

21-02-2008, 13:42	#2
vindaloo Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: South Bucks Posts: 1,217 Members Car: Fabia vRS and Impreza P1 Thanks: 16 Thanked 20 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Warped discs? After a quiet drive, feel the alloys near the wheel bolts. As a rule. The front ones are warmer than the back ones. They should be around the same temperature as their partner. i.e. Both fronts or both rears. Don't do this is there's glowing hissing or crackling though - LOL. If there's a mismatch, it's likely you've got a caliper sticking. DO NOT FEEL THE BRAKE DISKS!!! They could be a tad HOT! It could just be uneven deposits on the brake disks. If so, you can try braking more aggressively to heat the system up more in an attempt to clean the disks. Do it smoothly whilst no-one else is around. Also, the rear brakes get little use anyway and the handbrake uses the brake pads. It could be deposits on the rear brakes giving the uneveness. Try pulling up the handbrake at speed and see if you can re-produce the problem. J. __________________ Slowly turning the planet sooty.

21-02-2008, 14:12	#3
ap0gee ASZ Eternal Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Leafy Chesh-shire Posts: 7,108 Members Car: Black Magic Fabia vRS Thanks: 385 Thanked 406 Times in 353 Posts	Re: Warped discs? I'm inclined to believe this article, which states that warping discs through normal road use is impossible. I had some issues with mine rubbing and not feeling 'right', so went out and bedded them in - I loved the results so much, I was sad enough to film it! In my case, it was nothing to do with deposits on the discs though, and although I never really got to the bottom of it, I mentioned it to the dealer when it was in for service and they carried out the 'mooing rear calipers' warranty mod which fixed it whatever it actually was! __________________

21-02-2008, 14:56	#4
vRS Dovit Smoggy Hooligan Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kilmarnock Posts: 1,105 Members Car: Skoda Fabia vRS "55 reg" Thanks: 94 Thanked 59 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Warped discs? lol top vid! lol lol My brakes are making an almost grinding nose, very occasionally. All the pads are fine as are the disks. I'm puttin it down to dirt or grit. __________________ "It goes like a rocket powered brick"

21-02-2008, 15:19	#5
Chrispy Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Normanton, West Yorks Posts: 1,766 Members Car: 2004 Fabia vRS Thanks: 38 Thanked 68 Times in 57 Posts	Re: Warped discs? My 320i used to do it...a lot. Went through several sets of discs in a short space of time. Apparently it was down to 2 things: 1. The hub surface not being perfectly smooth before the new discs were mounted on them, meaning they were ever so slightly wonky. 2. Poor ventilation from my alloys after hard braking. Not so sure I believed the second point but after then owning a second almost identical car with nice fat 5 spokes i never had the same problem. Wierd, but hey, I've seen freakier things. Like a man eating his own head.... __________________ Silver '04 Fabia vRS. Jabba Custom Remap, Seat Surgeons Leather interior, Whiteline RARB, Cupra Console Bushes

21-02-2008, 15:47	#6
cam7777 Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 71 Members Car: Fabia 1.9 TDi Thanks: 3 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Warped discs? Thanks for the replys, I removed the discs and they are squeaky clean, absolutely no sticking whatsoever but still get the problem. Its ruining a good car so may consider selling on. thanks guys __________________ Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDi - 2003

21-02-2008, 17:55	#8
jasc1988 Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,042 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 106 Thanked 136 Times in 131 Posts	Re: Warped discs? You cant get warped discs, lol __________________ Star Remap, BMC, Helix, 312's, Magnex, Vibratechniks mount, Allard Power Pipe, VMaxx Coilies, CCV mod, Pikey Short Shifter, Stainless Boost pipes, Pikey arch mod, HID's, 17's, Heated Seats, Cruise + many more

21-02-2008, 20:24	#9
Grant Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Huddersfield Posts: 245 Members Car: Fabia Comford TDI Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Warped discs? Often when people brake, say at the end of a slip road and hold the car on the brakes the heat of the pad hardens the part of the disc that is touching the pad. This causes the disc to wear unevenly as parts are harder than others. __________________ 51 plate Silver 1.9TDI PD100 Comfort Not that special - but it ain't broken!

22-05-2008, 11:24	#11
Timo Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Miles from where I want to be. Posts: 397 Members Car: Octy VRS Tdi Thanks: 9 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Warped discs? Had this on my car after recent discs etc MOT place said it was steering rack, my trusted garage said they were talking crap, it was bushes on track rods and wishbones that had perished to a point where they were making the steering wobble on braking.

22-05-2008, 12:09	#12
Rustle Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 55 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Warped discs? Have you thought about the ABS system? Might be worth getting it checked, but please dont take my word for it as I'm not a trained mechanic, just seems odd that after going through a few sets you still have the same problem.

22-05-2008, 12:14	#13
AwesomeSarah Site Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,221 Members Car: Thanks: 38 Thanked 217 Times in 195 Posts	Re: Warped discs? To tell you the truth , the first post is the exact same problem I had with mine Brembo discs and OEM pads , warped within a couple of months Returned the discs and got another set , same happened again Same car , more mileage though So I dont brake alot , I hate people sitting with their foot on the footbrake at traffic lights etc , so I know I dont do that So was well miffed I ended up going a megga megga harsh brake as there was an accisent in front of me on the M60 , and hey presto all was good after that Other than me shaking , there was no more on the brakes If I am slowly coasting down hill and touch the brakes gently to scrub off a bit of speed , I can feel it a bit , but no more issues But I will not be having Brembo , or standard discs after this set Sarah

22-05-2008, 13:25	#15
AwesomeSarah Site Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,221 Members Car: Thanks: 38 Thanked 217 Times in 195 Posts	Re: Warped discs? You bet English at school eas not my best subject Actually it was french and maths Sarah

22-05-2008, 13:29	#16
ap0gee ASZ Eternal Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Leafy Chesh-shire Posts: 7,108 Members Car: Black Magic Fabia vRS Thanks: 385 Thanked 406 Times in 353 Posts	Re: Warped discs? I thought that it was quite good, actually! __________________

22-05-2008, 13:36	#17
AwesomeSarah Site Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,221 Members Car: Thanks: 38 Thanked 217 Times in 195 Posts	Re: Warped discs? So are you good t french and Maths then Sarah

22-05-2008, 13:41	#18
ap0gee ASZ Eternal Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Leafy Chesh-shire Posts: 7,108 Members Car: Black Magic Fabia vRS Thanks: 385 Thanked 406 Times in 353 Posts	Re: Warped discs? I'm good at most things... ...except dieting! __________________

22-05-2008, 13:43	#19
ap0gee ASZ Eternal Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Leafy Chesh-shire Posts: 7,108 Members Car: Black Magic Fabia vRS Thanks: 385 Thanked 406 Times in 353 Posts	Re: Warped discs? Note to self: Stop posting OT Other note to self: I'm not red today ( ) so carry on! __________________

22-05-2008, 16:33	#20
GnatG Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 247 Members Car: fabia 1.9TDi (100bhp) Thanks: 81 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Warped discs? Were the discs fitted for you? I sell brake discs for Mercs, and a common cause of warping according to our supplier is incorrect fitting (not cleaning the hub prior to brake disc placement, over tightening one bolt).

22-05-2008, 17:09	#21
AwesomeSarah Site Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,221 Members Car: Thanks: 38 Thanked 217 Times in 195 Posts	Re: Warped discs? I had mine fitted here I think it is only me that has had a problem with discs warping like that So I dont think it is that I do 150 miles round trip per day , and I am not heavy on brakes But they did , but hey that heavy braking soon cured it Sarah

25-05-2008, 07:46	#22
matt@theforce Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Durkar Posts: 2,384 Members Car: Octavia 130pd Elegance Estate Images: 10 Thanks: 124 Thanked 87 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Warped discs? SWMBO's fabia vrs is terrible for juddering when braking and no amount of hard braking cures the problem. We just put up with it now and don't use the car that much. __________________ Support Briskoda Join FREEDOM >>> <<<

25-05-2008, 16:35	#23
Ess_Three Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Posts: 61 Members Car: Fabia vRS Ltd Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Warped discs? My SE just had it's first service...and had the front brake discs replaced under warranty. Used as a 'normal' run-about car...not driven hard or brake tested...and under 7000 miles. At least they were replaced under warranty. __________________ Glen. 2007 Fabia vRS Limited Edition - N0 708 2004 Porsche 996 C4S 1996 VW Golf GTI 16v '20th Anniversary Edition'

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