Topic: Something's Wrong with Miss Jetta's Brakes

[Brigitte]

And, I think I might have her towed tomorrow instead of driving to the dealership.  I'm that concerned.

About a month ago, I had a flat tire on the rear driver's side.  Called CAA, and the guy swapped it for my full-size spare, and Bob's your uncle.  A few days after that, I noticed this clunking sound coming from the rear passenger side whenever I turned left, or hit a bump.  I thought maybe CAA guy had not stabilized the crappy jack in the spare tire kit in my trunk.  Checked, didn't see anything weird.  Noise continued intermittently.

Last week, I noticed a slightly high-pitched sound like metal banging against metal (almost like a chain or something).  I was sick as a dog, and had no time or the inclination to take the car in.  Next week, I thought.

Well, tonight - and luckily, with no one around -  I hit the brakes before turning out of the 7-11 parking lot on my way home from school, and the car didn't immediately stop.    I was doing maybe 10 km/h.  I let go, hit the brakes again, and they kicked in.  I made my way home very gingerly just around the corner with my hand on the emergency brake as a backup.

I feel like a moron, and now I'm wondering if the tire change and the brake issue could be related.  Or is it simply coincidence?  And is this possibly a case of seized calipers or something to that effect?

No moralizing or lecturing, please.  Yes, I've thought of the dying kittens and puppies, terrorism, Stephen Harper, Jackass 3D and all that global warming that I'm probably now responsible for thanks to my idiocy.  However, I'd prefer to hear your prognostications and ideas as to what might be going on.

[wing]

Hmmm, I'm usually good with brake problems but that is a weird one.  Seems unrelated, the front brakes should stop the car without rears at all though pretty easily.  How's the fluid in the reservoir?

[Railton]

Agree, sounds like a few unrelated issues.
If your foot goes to the floor when applying the brakes then yeah, check the fluid and leaks under the car for brake fluid. The car is how old now?
Railton

[articsteve]

Caliper could be loose.  Pads not floating or just generally shot. Rear pads wear very quickly on those units.  

[Brigitte]

Hmmm, I'm usually good with brake problems but that is a weird one.  Seems unrelated, the front brakes should stop the car without rears at all though pretty easily.  How's the fluid in the reservoir?

Will check in the morning if I get a chance.  It's down in the parking garage at the moment.

[blur911]

My best guess on the info provided.

I bet your wheel is coming loose.  Check the wheel bolts for tightness!!

The bolts are loose and the rotor hat and wheel are wobbling, the wobbling of the rotor pushed the brake pads and piston back slightly.  When you hit the brakes you pushed the piston back out but then ran out of pedal travel before the pads were pressed against the rotor.
(Did your pedal go down a lot further on the first pump and then on the second pump feel more or less normal?)

[Brigitte]

Agree, sounds like a few unrelated issues.
If your foot goes to the floor when applying the brakes then yeah, check the fluid and leaks under the car for brake fluid. The car is how old now?
Railton

Our parking garage isn't the cleanest, but I suppose if I see something wet it's a clue?  I am about 600 km away from turning over 200,000 km.

[rrocket]

Caliper could be loose.  Pads not floating or just generally shot. Rear pads wear very quickly on those units.  

Yea, but front brakes are easily able to stop a vehicle with no rear brakes at all.

She might have lost some fluid, or the master cylinder is toast.

[rrocket]

Agree, sounds like a few unrelated issues.
If your foot goes to the floor when applying the brakes then yeah, check the fluid and leaks under the car for brake fluid. The car is how old now?
Railton

Our parking garage isn't the cleanest, but I suppose if I see something wet it's a clue?  I am about 600 km away from turning over 200,000 km.

Nah..just pop the hood and have a look at your brake fluid reservoir.  You'll be able to see immediately if you are low on fluid...it should be obvious.

No warning lights??

[Brigitte]

Caliper could be loose.  Pads not floating or just generally shot. Rear pads wear very quickly on those units.  

Thanks, Steve.  But, but... My car has been serviced twice a year since I've owned it (2004) and I've never had to do a thing to the brakes.  Seriously.  Each time, the guys would check and each time I'd hear, "your brakes are still fine."

[Brigitte]

(Did your pedal go down a lot further on the first pump and then on the second pump feel more or less normal?)

Yup.  Very odd feeling.

[Brigitte]

Nah..just pop the hood and have a look at your brake fluid reservoir.  You'll be able to see immediately if you are low on fluid...it should be obvious.

No warning lights??

Will do that in the morning once I get it outside, so I can see.  No, no warning lights!  But the she-Nazi has no issues with screaming at me when I'm low on gas or wiper fluid!  B*tch.   

[Railton]

Open the brake fluid tank and observe the color of the fluid - is it free of particulate - possibly rust flakes/particles?
Could be the brake master cylinder, rusted out brake line, Are the rears disks or drums? If drums could be leaking at the wheel cylinder - again - leaks on the ground present?
Railton

[wing]

I thought of the loose wheel as well, blur911 could be correct as well.  I don't know much about VW's but I know they use bolts not nuts like most cars, so not sure how that affects the assembly.  I assume it is disc brakes on the rear?  If it is drums then we are all wrong me thinks  haha

[Leviathan]

You may as well start the "What new car?" thread now - you know you want to  

[Brigitte]

I assume it is disc brakes on the rear?

I've always thought so, but can how can I tell by just looking?  If it's drums, there will be no calipers?

[Brigitte]

You may as well start the "What new car?" thread now - you know you want to  

I'd rather drive a shrimp fork through my eye than go through that experience.   

[mmret]

Side note: does the cable on the parking brake push the calipers directly or does it require fluid?

[Brigitte]

Side note: does the cable on the parking brake push the calipers directly or does it require fluid?

Frigged if I know.

[Railton]

I assume it is disc brakes on the rear?

I've always thought so, but can how can I tell by just looking?  If it's drums, there will be no calipers?

Yup. Best take your fancy camera down to the parking lot and take some pics. I know there you're not taking pics of mushrooms, fungi or nuts for that matter but it could be the start of something new for you.
Railton