Brake Failure

[rashg60]

Hi guys,

I was driving uphill yesterday at 40-50mph and applied the brakes slightly when approaching a bend in the road. The brake pedal started to shudder and the brakes were completely non-existent. I let go and applied the brake pedal once again and nothing happened. Obviously at this point I sh*t myself but as I was going uphill, I came off the accelerator and down-geared. I applied the brake pedal once again and it worked fine with no juddering or anything and I drove home as per normal.

The brakes have been checked very recently and they are all fine with lots of life in them. Brake fluid has also been changed very recently. There are no warning lights displayed on the dash.

As you can imagine, this has scared the life out of me and I don't want to drive the car until this is resolved.

Any help would be appreciated.

[xjay1337]

[Paradox1]

Damn, that's scary,

Possible air leak in the system? I'm not sure where to start tbh.

Can always get your ABS system scanned to see if anything is found in the logs

[Paradox1]

You are such a clown. :D :D :D

[AJP]

Wow. Lucky this happened where you could keep control.

I think it's wise to leave the car until you know it's sorted.

I remember when something similar happened in my old mk4. I was doing about 10mph at the time, felt quite lucky myself.

Best of luck with it Rash. I've got that rear bumper for you by the way.

[rashg60]

Thanks guys - don't really know where to begin. Was hoping someone else had been through the same thing (and lived to tell the tale).

Would I have to use Vagcom to get the ABS system scanned?

[Dan_FR]

It sounds like the ABS cutting in when it shouldn't - possible sensor or the ring gear issue?

[rashg60]

It sounds like the ABS cutting in when it shouldn't - possible sensor or the ring gear issue?

How do I go about checking off these things?

[r5gtt]

[rashg60]

Bit of an update:

Had the car hooked up to a computer and there were two faults: ABS speed sensor failure on both rear wheels. So I located some threads where people had similar issues, removed them and cleaned them, and everything went back to normal.

Had a go at removing them yesterday but they snapped/wouldn't come out and in the end broke. So I had to purchase 2 new ABS speed sensors from TPS (£111 for the pair). All fitted now and I took car for a test drive yesterday.

There are some warning lights displayed which have not cleared (they usually clear after a drive): ABS, EPS, Brake and steering lights are all illuminated. Would I have to hook up to a computer to remove the lights or should they just disappear as new parts have been fitted.

I forgot to mention in my first thread that the above lights (minus the steering light) used to come on intermittently/randomly now and again. But would always disappear when the car was switched off and on again.

PS - I also changed the fuel filter yesterday too.

[Mitch H]

Have you just changed the sensors or the wheel bearing? When it's an intermittent fault like yours it is usually the pick up on the wheel bearing

[rashg60]

I actually replaced the sensors.

Took it for a long drive today and all the lights mentioned previously have cleared and there are no more issues.

However, the airbag light has now illuminated! It's never ending!

[rich83]

You are such a clown. :D :D :D

How long did it take you to realise????

[dazza]

Did the pedal drop a lot more than normal when you had the juddering?

[rashg60]

Not really - just the normal braking drop.