Pug 205 gti brake caliper, pads, binding

Hi,

I had a front brake caliper replaced the other day.

The front pads, both sides, were also replaced.

I note that on occasions some binding occurs at the front wheels.

Is this to be expected because the new brake pads will need to
'bedin'?

Thanks.

A

 

One of the pads might be getting stuck in the caliper did they rub the paint of the pads before fitting??

 

Hi,

It only happens on occasions.

The garage that did the job employ experienced and well respected
mechanics. Don't know the procedure they followed.

I expect that they changed the front pads because the existing ones
were badly worn.

I imagine that new pads would put more pressure on the disks untill
some 'beddingin' occurs.

I suppose that they might occasionally stick to the disk. May be more
likely if they are new.

Any thoughts.

A

 

When the pads are new they are covered in black paint and the paint is verythick in places and you have to clean the ends to stop the pads sticking inside the caliper also use copper slip, we always clean the ends so they move well in the cradle when pressed with the pistons in the calipers.

 

You should not be getting any degree of binding that you are detect when
driving. Chris is absolutely right about the paint and the need to
remove it so the pads are free to slide.
If the binding is on the side where the calliper has not been replaced,
then this one might be sticking too.
Take the car from cold, for a run of a mile or so on quiet roads where
you are unlikely to have to apply the brakes. At the end of the run say
in a layby, slow down on the gears and come to a halt using the hand
brake. Carefully feel the temperature of the discs. If either are too
hot to touch, then you have a binding problem that needs sorting out.

btw
Pads exert as much pressure as you put on via the pedal. Bedding in will
microscopically increase the contact area and hence the braking for the
the same pressure. The only time pads might stick to the disc is after
being parked up over night following wet conditions when surface rust or
ice can form. This clears instantly once the car is rolling.

Bob

 

You should not be getting any degree of binding that you are detect when
driving. Chris is absolutely right about the paint and the need to
remove it so the pads are free to slide.
If the binding is on the side where the calliper has not been replaced,
then this one might be sticking too.
Take the car from cold, for a run of a mile or so on quiet roads where
you are unlikely to have to apply the brakes. At the end of the run say
in a layby, slow down on the gears and come to a halt using the hand
brake. Carefully feel the temperature of the discs. If either are too
hot to touch, then you have a binding problem that needs sorting out.

btw
Pads exert as much pressure as you put on via the pedal. Bedding in will
microscopically increase the contact area and hence the braking for the
the same pressure. The only time pads might stick to the disc is after
being parked up over night following wet conditions when surface rust or
ice can form. This clears instantly once the car is rolling.

Bob

 

Thanks for the information.

I imagine that these mechanics would have cleaned off any paint.

If it happens again, and I expect that it will, I 'll return to the
garage.

Regarding which brake is binding, I can't tell. I only know that the
problem appears to comming from the front.

I noticed this problem when the car was rolling freely. It stopped
more quickly than I expected and I thought that the car was being
'held'. But the problem appeared to resolve.

It is now a case of wait and see, however, I don't believe that these
problems resolve themselves.

Best wishes.

Thanks.

A

 

Something that I forgot to mention.

Whe I returned from the journey when I noticed what I thought was
binding at the front I did put my hand on the centre of the wheel to
check the temperature. I noticed that it was warm, which is what I
expected. I then checked the other side and the temperature was about
the same. I know that I did not touch the brake pads, but maybe this
is an encouraging sign? It dosen't of course explain the transient
binding.