C4 Grand Picasso rear pads rubbing after change

tnegun

Hi guys, I had the rear pads done on our 12 C4 Grand Picasso yesterday. Drove home and all was fine but when I left for work this am after a few miles I thought I could hear rubbing.

I pulled in a the rear discs where much warmer (spit turned to steam) anyway went back to the garage and they put it on the ramp dismantled everything and checked it then brought me out and showed me the both wheels spinning freely the mechanic even came for a short test drive with me and it was fine.

Drove back to work and it was fine but then when I left the office this evening got the same rubbing sound and both rear discs hot. Going to bring it back at some stage (Garage was sound about it) but I don't really have the time to spend driving back to them and hanging around so would like to try figure it out myself.

I'm wondering it was fine after they release the electric handbrake with the computer if the issue is with the hand brake? I believe they're self adjusting so maybe it isn't releasing fully after being parked up? I think I read that they tighten after so many hours parked to account for cooling or was that on my old passat? Does the handbrake on these operate the calipers or a drum brake? Any ideas what it could be?

tnegun

Just took it for a 15 mile spin and there is definite heat from both rear discs, sprayed water on them and it turned to steam not hissing but evaporated quickly. I could touch the front discs and they were barely warm. I forgot to mention the garage said there was a small bit of a lip on the discs and the rubbing may just be the pads wearing in. Could this explain it?

Tropheus

If the wheel was spinning when the mechanic checked it, it should be ok. Not surprised the discs were that hot after driving and using the brakes. That's pretty normal in my experience.

tnegun

Should of said for the drive I kept off the brakes as much as possible, after the drive he front discs could be touched but the rear hot enough to turn water to steam. Also there is a definite rubbing wiring sound that comes and goes

martyc5674

It’s possibly the lip alright, my advice would be to take it for a spin and use the brakes plenty to try wear down that section of the new pads. Maybe if you know of a longish hill you can leave the brakes gently applied as you drive without consequence to other road users of course!
Avoid spraying water on them as you could warp the discs due to uneven cooling.

firstlight

If the discs were not changed at the same time the disc could be slightly lipped or might be slightly warped causing the pads to rub against it
Is there a different garage nearby just to take a quick look

tnegun

Won't get a chance to get it anywhere till next week now, so will give it that long to bed in and if not take it for a second opinion

firstlight

tnegun wrote: »

Won't get a chance to get it anywhere till next week now, so will give it that long to bed in and if not take it for a second opinion

Ye sure just take it handy and keep an eye on the brakes,See if anything changes.

Autochange

leave the handbrake off over night and see if the problem persists the following day. I wonder if there is a status and parameter setting in the handbrake computer for pad replacment. The car may need to be told that the pads have been replaced as the piston may be pushed out into the position it was in before the pads were done. Some brands have this setting.

tnegun

Thanks for the help guys. I had the wheels off for a look this morning and the handbrake is a drum brake it is electric but the motor just pulls the cable. I took it for a spin and found a long quite straight and did several bouts of hard braking with a definate improvement the rubbing is much less noticable will try get out again and do a few more but looks like it might just be the pads bedding in to the worn discs.