Ford Galaxy Steering Wobble, on 4th set of Front Discs

tipping

Have a 2011 Ford Galaxy with about 90000 miles. Been through 4 sets of new discs in the last year or so (<10000 miles) and they seem to be gone again.

Probably had the car about 2 years and then developed steering wobble under braking. Our old mechanic had retired so brought it to a new guy, replaced the discs and all was fine. Within a couple of months through problem came back and went back to the garage and they were replaced under warranty but problem re-occured again pretty quickly.

So tried someone else, told him the discs had failed twice, replaced them again and again within a short period of time they were gone again.

Searched around and got a further away well recommended guy, again said 3rd time for these discs. He said he did a thorough check for everything and then replaced front and back discs and pads, went for better brand discs etc but problem has reoccured again.

So there must be something else wrong and these guys aren't diagnosing it correctly. I'm reluctant to just throw another set of discs on (or I'll have to learn how to do it myself).

I got it serviced again lately and the guy had a good look and could see nothing wrong, he suggested change to original Ford discs and roll the dice again.

So before I go again has anyone any ideas?

Regards

Tipping

)

The Continental Op

To save my crappy explanation I'll just ask has anyone checked the Disc Run Out? This explains fairy well.

https://www.autoresource.co.uk/resources/advice-and-insights/effectively-measuring-run-out/%20

Are there any symptoms like vibration when braking?

tipping

So I've no idea what they actually have done before bar verbal assurances of thorough checks. The symptom is a shaking/shudder when braking, especially going down hill..

I'll ask the garage that serviced it if they have a dti guage. Other reading has suggested a written wheel bearing could cause it so might specifically ask them to check wheel bearings too.

The Continental Op

Rather than assurances you want the actual figures for the run out tests.

Because you have replaced the discs so many times you need to get the run out of the hubs checked.

If anyone says they have fixed it then you also want to know figures the actual run out test after they have replaced the rotors.

I would suspect if you just put new rotors on and then check the run out it will still be out of tolerance.

It may be you need two new front bearings and new hubs plus new rotors. Its also possible that the problem is in the brake calipers but its hard to believe that no one has spotted a stuck caliper (or two stuck calipers) after 4 sets of rotor change.

A simple check of warn wheel bearings is to jack the wheel off the ground then hold the top and bottom of the wheel and if there is any play when you try and move it in and out (at top and bottom) the wheel bearing is probably warn.

Run out for a lot of Fords is max 0.05mm

Wheel bearing and hub will cost around €150 each side (Micks Garage price) and you already know you need to replace the discs and pads.

Bit more on run out, this car is massively out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMYt0Q13cZY

tipping

That's very helpful and the explanation seems to make sense. Found this link also which seems very similar to what I have experienced

I'll get in touch with my latest garage and see if they have the kit to measure this.

https://garagewire.co.uk/news/company/aag/apec/recurring-brake-judder-solved-with-hub-run-out-measurement/#:~:text=To%20confirm%20that%20the%20brake,disc%20runout%20is%20%3E0.08mm.

Whatwicklow

Just for sanity, check your tyres, wear or imperfections can cause a shudder under breaking. Also maybe rotate your wheels and see if it persists. You will feel a Buckled alloy

The Continental Op

OP I know it doesn't sound like you are going to do this yourself but just for you information you can get a dial gauge and a magnetic stand (every thing needed) very cheaply which is perfectly adequate to test the run out for £50.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neoteck-Indicator-Magnetic-Precision-Measurement/dp/B08S379QH8/

tipping

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119422211#Comment_119422211

I've had a pretty decent tyre place check all that before we put on the 4th set. They also recommended the last mechanic we used. Pretty sure tyres and wheels are ok.

tipping

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119422462#Comment_119422462

Actually a buddy of mine has a dial guage so I might just give the measurement part of this (if not the replacing of the parts) a shot. Or maybe it's finally time to add a bit of car maintenance to my diy skills.

magnavox

Have had a similar situation where a Megane 3 was constantly vibrating through the wheel whilst braking. Garage kept changing the disks and pads and all would be fine for a few thousand km but always came back. They kept claiming a relatives driving style must be warping the disks.

Eventually I had to grab the manager of the garage and argue the rate this was occurring couldn't be driving style. When they finally actually checked it comprehensively it was the hub assembly causing the issue, like the link above. I managed to get them to agree to replace the hub assembly for free with a second hand assembly I sourced myself for cheap.

Good luck.

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119422565#Comment_119422565

Nothing better than knowing more about whats wrong than the guy thats (pretending) to fix it. You can ask questions and know full well when they are bullshitting.

Not a job I'd recommend as a first test of DIY skills. Changing the disks and pads yes front wheel bearing no. But that said I've no idea how difficult the front wheel bearing is on a Galaxy?

Wishbone Ash

OP - I can't answer your query but, just to add that we have 4 Ford Galaxys at work and they seem to eat their way through front tyres and discs. They have a very heavy front end and, in our case, multiple different drivers per day doesn't help either.