Zafira road noise / brake problem ?

alibabba

Hi

I had posted this query in the Motors Forum, but was told to try the Tech section. The original post is here, i would be extremely grateful for any help / feedback.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=67477096&utm_source=notification&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=notify#post67477096

rodneys

Did the mechanic change the disc or just the pads? You can check easily if you have hubcaps you may need to remove them so you can see the disc then all you have to do is slip your finger in and run it at the edge of the disc to see if ther is still a ridge or not. I had the same issue a few years back and mechanic told me it was the discs but he only put on pads and problem returned soon after, had to get another mechanic to put on new discs, problem went

alibabba

Ya he def changed both the pads and discs.
My wife saw him changing the pads, and the following day he showed me the discs he took off the car, there was indeed a ridge around the edge of them.
But i still have the problem today.

Seth Brundle

Are you 100% sure that its coming from the wheel area?
Did the mechanic actually hear the noise?

mathepac

OP first off, let me reassure you. The ridge that is evident on the outer edge of all brake-discs is irrlelevant. This ridge is inevitable as the brake-pads bite into the discs under braking and material from both pads and discs (rotors in USA-land) wears off and gets deposited on your nice clean alloys. The key thing here is that the discs themselves inside the ridge exceed the minimum thickness specified by the manufacturer and that the worn areas have no high or low spots.

If you are happy that the discs and pads are new, of the correct type, are wearing properly, are properly fitted (I've seen pads fitted with the metal backing in contact with the discs :eek:) with anti-squeak shims, retaining springs and treated with copper grease, then in the brake area we are probably only left with (as mentioned in the original thread) binding calipers / sticking pistons, meaning that the brake pads are contacting the discs even when the brake is not pressed. Correcting this could mean just replacing rubber seals and renewing and bleeding the brake fluid, but could be a lot more.

As mentioned already, it could also be the wheel-bearings as or as was also mentioned, steering components are even suspension bushes.

You need to get the car to a competent experienced independent mechanic (sorry automotive technician) to trouble-shoot the problem and resolve it to your satisfaction.

HTH

alibabba

I am assuming my mechanic is experienced. I have been using him for years without any issue. He did change the pads and discs i am sure of this. And he did hear the noise. He said he would bet a thousand euro its the brakes. I will let him look at it one more time and throw in the suggestions mentioned here before i look for someone else. Thanks for your replies.

the merchant

To add another theory to the mix...

If it's the same gearbox as the mark 4 Astra you might be looking at a diff issue as these are renowned for it. It starts with a tooth or two being stripped from the planetary gears and pretty soon you get a "BANG BANG BANG" when going around corners where the diff is locking up.

Let's hope it's not the diff but try draining the gear box oil to see if there are any teeth in it.

jayok

Is the caliper sticking?

alibabba

jayok wrote: »

Is the caliper sticking?

It really does sound like a sticking calipers.
The pads and the disks have been changed, with no luck.
When the noise starts, if i press the brakes just to the point before the car starts braking (ie just before pads making contact with disks), the noise goes away, let go the brakes and the noise comes back.

If it is a sticking calipers, whats the best way to proceed, change it ?

Oil_drip

the merchant wrote: »

To add another theory to the mix...

If it's the same gearbox as the mark 4 Astra you might be looking at a diff issue as these are renowned for it. It starts with a tooth or two being stripped from the planetary gears and pretty soon you get a "BANG BANG BANG" when going around corners where the diff is locking up.

Let's hope it's not the diff but try draining the gear box oil to see if there are any teeth in it.

I would not rule out this suggestion. There are issues with the transmission in these cars. Get you mechanic to check the oil level in the box as this is the first sign that the transmission is on its way out. (Hope its not)

alibabba

Thanks for all yer feedback. Much appreciated honestly. It turned out to be a sticking calipers alright. The mechanic cleaned out the one on the front left tyre and blead out some fluid too and its perfect ever since. Thanks once again