brake issues vauxhall vectra

geekgirl

Hi I am having problems with my brakes on my Vauxhall vectra.

It starting making a bit of a grinding noise when braking on the front passenger side. I got someone to have a look and the brake pad on that side was very worn whereas the other side was not bad at all. He fitted new brake pads and it didn't fix it.
I took it to another place and they replaced the brakepads as they said they were not genuine parts and it could be that and replaced all the fluids as well. It still didn't sort it out.

The problem was now slightly worse in that I would brake and the pedal would go down but get slightly stuck half way down then I would have to press it harder to go the rest of the way. It also makes a humming noise as driving along intermittently. If I am using my ipod plugged into the cig lighter and tuned into the radio I can hear it crackling slightly at the same time as it does the humming noise.

Well the last place that would only use genuine parts said that it was the ABS system that needed replacing. I managed to get a secondhand guaranteed part which he fitted for me. It has made it happen less often but it isn't fixed.

I am unsure what to do next as he said he couldn't see anything else it could be. I have spent over £300 to still have a car with dodgy brakes.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be please?

Phew! If you got this far thanks for reading this long post.

anewman

On the pads wearing it could be stuck caliper piston or the guides need greasing up. Both shouldn't cost too much to do. And I am suprised none of the garages you went to mentioned either. I suspect you may be better trying another garage.

Pedal getting slightly stuck - not sure on this one - has the system been correctly bled since the fluid change? Has the appropriate method for bleeding with the ABS been followed?

geekgirl

anewman wrote: »

On the pads wearing it could be stuck caliper piston (don't know about this) or the guides need greasing up (first guy did this). Both shouldn't cost too much to do. And I am suprised none of the garages you went to mentioned either. I suspect you may be better trying another garage.

Pedal getting slightly stuck (pedal was getting stuck before ABS was changed)- not sure on this one - has the system been correctly bled since the fluid change? Has the appropriate method for bleeding with the ABS been followed?

I googled this problem before posting here and someone had a very similar problem and it was suggested it could be dirt and small metal particles clogging the ABS sensor. Could this be an answer? Does anyone have any idea where the ABS sensor would be located so that I could get OH to check that out.

Cheers.

in2deep_2

Its not the ABS sensor, as mentioned either the caliper piston is sticking or the flexible pipe is collapsing inside.

geekgirl

OK I will have a word with OH when he comes back and see if this makes any sense to him.

Thanks so much for replies, I would love to get this sorted without wasting any more dosh.

Cheers.

Conor_3

geekgirl wrote: »

OK I will have a word with OH when he comes back and see if this makes any sense to him.

Thanks so much for replies, I would love to get this sorted without wasting any more dosh.
Cheers.

Chances are you're not going to be able to. Depending on how bad it is, you may be looking at a replacement caliper which is around £70 from local motor factors plus labour for changing it.

geekgirl

£70 would be great if that does the trick. Its just such a shame that none of the other things have done it. It must be difficult for them to pinpoint exactly what the problem is.
It will mean labour costs as well at the mo. My OH usually fixes everything on our car and van but he has a severely squashed finger (he is a tree surgeon, yukky bone hanging out!) which is still healing hence spending out so much so far. He is hates us having to pay out to someone else to fix this.
Thanks for replies.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

What is the condition of the disc on that side?

Did they replace pads on both sides, or just the passenger side?

The ABS sensor is a small disc with holes, mounted near the brake disc. It won't be the problem.

geekgirl

Not sure what the condition of the disks are. The pads have been done on both sides twice now (didn't need it twice but 2nd guy would only fit gen vauxhall parts so put in new ones anyway) in 2 weeks.
I was about to take it to another garage this weekend then my son lost his teeth retainers, £120, so have to wait a bit now for some more dosh.
Thanks for your reply.

geekgirl

OK an update. We have now had the caliper replaced (and another set of bloody brake pads!) and we still have the problem.

Any other ideas what this could be? It looks like I might have to cut my losses, flog the car and get something else. Would be a shame as I have now spent £400 on trying to sort it out.

happylife

hang on!! you have spent £400 on getting calipers and Pads replaced and you still have the problem ? By whom the Garage ?

Please tell me this can't be true..:eek:

If so I would take it right back and get them to sort the problem and confirm why it was so expensive..

Pads are about £70 supply and fit MAX
Caliper maybe be £100 supply and fit..

Grinding is usually the PADS are worn down to the disks and they should replace the PADS and DISKS together...