Dragging Brakes

_ollie_

Hi,

Recently heard a loud dragging noise on the brakes, and took the car (Renault Clio) into Kwik Fit who had a very quick look and said they reckon it is oversized discs and said I should take it to whoever last did work to the car as they shouldn't charge me to rectify it.

Would this be right?

As the car was worked on last October when it got it's service..can it really go that long with oversized discs before actually noticing? (making noise)

Thanks

anewman

I would take anything Kwackfit say with a pinch of salt, although I am surprised they sent you away without trying to empty your wallet first.

If the discs *were* oversized as in diameter, they'd have been grinding on the caliper carriers ever since they were fitted and this would have lessened over time. If they were oversized in terms of thickness, it would probably just not be possible to fit the brake pads.

Has the car been stood for a while? Does this relate to front or rear brake discs?

Hammyman

_ollie_ wrote: »

As the car was worked on last October when it got it's service..can it really go that long with oversized discs before actually noticing? (making noise)

Thanks

No. You'd notice it instantly. Thick Git fitters up to their usual low standards...

_ollie_

Car is used all the time, it's front discs as far as I can tell. Kwik Fit only looked at one wheel.
Ahh well thanks for the responses, I'm off work on Tuesday so will have to get it sorted then.

Reeny27

Hi Ollie,

I've had/have the exact same problem with my Renault Clio campus, it's a really loud noise which you can also feel under your feet on the brakes, almost like a scraping. I had to have the car towed once as the breaks completely seized up on the rear wheel so the back wheel wouldn't turn at all. The garage told me there was quite a build up on the breaks and asked me if it had been stood for a long time unused but I use my car every day (also asked if I drive through a lot of puddles, which I avoid if possible). Anyway, he cleared the build up and it was fine but I've since noticed it doing it again if it's been raining alot which it has recently.

I'd get a second opinion if I were you, maybe it's a common fault on Clios, who knows.

Hope this helps.

Catherine

Shimrod

Could you have something caught between the caliper and the disk e.g. a small stone? Happened to me on my car (not a Clio) which suddenly started making a loud noise from the front brakes, but only when I turned the steering wheel. The advice before the breakdown people came out was:
reverse the car at speed and brake sharply
drive forward and brake sharply
Repeat a couple of times.
Obviously find somewhere safe to do this first! If it is something stuck in the brakes, this may clear it. Worked for me anyway.

_ollie_

I have actually tried some sharp braking, but it didn't seem to do anything.
Have booked it in with the people who normally do it's service so hopefully they will solve it.
I'm hoping it is as Catherine says and is some kind of build up due to wet weather.

Shimrod

_ollie_ wrote: »

I have actually tried some sharp braking, but it didn't seem to do anything.

Including when going backwards? That's the bit that is most likely to dislodge any stone

cyclonebri1

There's one absolute possitive here, if Sheitefit say it's oversized discs, you can bet your bottom dollar it isn't. ;)

It would be virtually impossible to fit oversize discs. vAnd as you note you could not go from October to August with an issue like that. It will be a siezure issue, the pads will have rusted in the calipers or even the calipers siezed. What few people realise is that the clearance between pad and disc is caused by the piston seals expanding and then being able to retract when pedal pressure is removed, if the pads are not free floating this cannot happen hence the rub/noise

At least you got out of there without having new shocks fitted. :T:T:T

mikey72

Wear indicators on the pads possibly.

_ollie_

Thanks guys, tried the reversing option too and it did nothing.

I'm hoping it's something simple like needing replacement pads or something, only got the car another couple months..