Front wheels problem

[sparkie]

I have a shaking coming from the front of the car (96 Tdi) every time I press the brake pedal, I though it was the tyres, but new ones on last week only reduced the problem. The first mechanic said new rotors and pads, and the second one says that there is plenty of thickness left on the rotors (even though my car the only one not listed in the book he had), and the pads still have some life left. So what is the problem, none of the mechanics in my small town have the technology to measure for warped rotors, so I can't check, but I am now wondering whether the wheels themselves are buckled, but wouldn't the tyre place have noticed?

The shaking is coming from the pedal rather than the steering, but it feels as if the whole of the front is shaking slightly.

[Logzy]

I have a shaking coming from the front of the car (96 Tdi) every time I press the brake pedal, I though it was the tyres, but new ones on last week only reduced the problem. The first mechanic said new rotors and pads, and the second one says that there is plenty of thickness left on the rotors (even though my car the only one not listed in the book he had), and the pads still have some life left. So what is the problem, none of the mechanics in my small town have the technology to measure for warped rotors, so I can't check, but I am now wondering whether the wheels themselves are buckled, but wouldn't the tyre place have noticed?

The shaking is coming from the pedal rather than the steering, but it feels as if the whole of the front is shaking slightly.

If the mechanics done have the technology to measure for a warped rotor then tell them to go and buy it or go to an engineering workshop and borrow a dial indicator on a magnetic base. Thats all they need

[gldgti]

sounds like a warped rotor mate.

find the diameter of your rotors and whether they are vented or not, and get some others - they are the same as other mk3 petrol cars.

i upgraded the front brakes on my '94 diesel to SEAT cupra 16V (same size as VR6 but still 4-stud) - much better than stock!

dont let a mechanic tell you parts for your car are hard to get - i've been buying stuff for my mk3 (personal import from NZ) left right and centre.... its all the same as other mk3's (hmm except the engine) ;-)

BTW - how does your car go? manual or auto?

[sparkie]

BTW - how does your car go? manual or auto?[/QUOTE]

It is a manual and a fantastic car, pulls really well, everyone who drives it loves it, after the Peugeot 306 SRDT though, I wish the dash was as well set-up and the suspension was so grippy, and a much prettier car - sigh - but the Pug is slow compared to the Tdi, and not so frugal.

The discs are solid, and the second mechanic I have taken it to did not have a means to see whether the rotors are warped or not either. But the rotor thickness is still good and the pads still have enough meat till the next service.

If it is the wheels, I was thinking about taking them off and putting them on the back, so the wobble would be at the back then and I'd know it was the wheels.

Otherwise I;ll take advice and get down the Coast to and engineering shop

[vanDub]

The shaking is coming from the pedal rather than the steering, but it feels as if the whole of the front is shaking slightly.

Had the same on an earlier car, its certain to be warped rotor - happens when they are hot and then get chilled quickly usually driving through puddle of water.
Only fix is to get a brake specialist - they'll have tools to measure the rotor out of true and skim it back to true if sufficient meat left on disc. Rotor replacement otherwise. Pad replacement not always neccessary.

[jets]

I agree warped disc. As you said sparkie, your shaking only occurs when you press the brake pedal.I wouldn't bother moving wheels around until disc runout is checked. I learnt a long time ago, never wash your car when the brakes are hot, well squirt water onto the wheels anyway, until the disks have cooled. The solid discs seem to suffer more from warpage than the ventilated ones because of their thickness.

[gldgti]

BTW - how does your car go? manual or auto?

It is a manual and a fantastic car, pulls really well, everyone who drives it loves it, after the Peugeot 306 SRDT though, I wish the dash was as well set-up and the suspension was so grippy, and a much prettier car - sigh - but the Pug is slow compared to the Tdi, and not so frugal.

The discs are solid, and the second mechanic I have taken it to did not have a means to see whether the rotors are warped or not either. But the rotor thickness is still good and the pads still have enough meat till the next service.

If it is the wheels, I was thinking about taking them off and putting them on the back, so the wobble would be at the back then and I'd know it was the wheels.

Otherwise I;ll take advice and get down the Coast to and engineering shop[/QUOTE]

i guarantee with a little investlemt (sub 1k) you could have your little gem handling WAY better than the pug ever did.... trust me ;-)

[sparkie]

Thanks to Matt at camdengti I changed my rotors and calipers to vented brakes - problem fixed! So you are all correct, it was warped rotors
Thanks