Weird problem with my mk5

[lloydy88]

Hi guys, got a bit of a weird problem with my Mk5, not sure if it’s just me imagining things or what, so stick with me whilst I try and explain.

Recently I’ve noticed that my car seems to be almost be “self braking” for example, if I drive to a stop at lights, I might knock it into neatural, they maybe a couple of meters where you let the car naturally come to a smooth natural standstill, instead mine stops dead as if I’ve stamped on the breaks!

Another example, if I’m on a very slight incline or  decline you’d expect to have to hold it on the break or handbreak or it would roll forwards or back, mine doesn’t, it’s stood still and solid! I can’t feel anything when moving at normal or fast speeds just during the two above scenarios!

I don’t know if it’s related but when I hard turn left or right at slow speed or reverse there is a whine from the front of the car.

Any help would be appreciated. TIA

[Ricky123]

Sounds like your one of more of your brakes are binding to me, pretty common on mk5s.

If you do your own mechanical work and want a quick run down on what to do then I’ll be happy to help. If not then take it to a garage you trust and have them check it over.

[titchy]

sounds like seized  caliper pos handbrake [caliper]

[lloydy88]

Thanks guys! I’ll start with brakes and go from there!

@Ricky123 I have a basic knowledge and happy to give it a go/look, where do I start!?

[Ricky123]

Thanks guys! I’ll start with brakes and go from there!

@Ricky123 I have a basic knowledge and happy to give it a go/look, where do I start!?

I’d start by jacking each corner of the car up one at a time and seeing if you can spin each wheel freely by hand to try and determine which brake/s are sticking or after driving the car try and feel for excessive heat from each wheel as the hottest one will be the one that’s sticking.

Once you’ve done that then reply back here and then I can advise you on the best way about it.

If it’s the rear/s then it will be best to get some new calipers but if it’s the front then it’s easy enough to clean them up.

Also what does your handbrake feel like? Could be that not releasing fully.

[lloydy88]

@Ricky123  thanks mate, I’ll get to it over the weekend and come back to you!

Handbrake feels fine, is there a way to check this to be on the safe side!?

[LC5F]

Be very carful if you are using the Golf jack, don’t put yourself in danger, they get called widow makers for a reason.

Find a flat even surface,
Chock the diagonally opposite wheel to the one you are looking at -lump of 2x4 wood is ideal.
put it in reverse gear for checking the rear wheels, handbrake on for fronts.

Hand brake - spinning the wheel with it fully off there should be no drag, if adjusted properly you should start to feel drag after 3 clicks on the lever.

[lloydy88]

@LC5F I’ll be using the jack momentarily before putting each corner in turn on jack stands before doing  any checks, I never leave the weight of the car on those scissor jacks, bloody death traps, but thanks for the tips, really appreciate it! I will be investing in a good trolley jack in the new year!

I went out for a blast this morning, when I came back I  checked each corner and there was a very noticeable heat difference on the front left, I’m thinking this one is the culprit so will start there and hopefully the jacking will be at a minimum of one corner!

[LC5F]

Left front does sound like the culprit, but bear in mind - tis the season of seized rear calipers I would check out the rears and other front too.

[lloydy88]

I’ll be giving them all a good once over tomorrow, fingers crossed it’s just the one! Is it easy enough to clean/service the front calipers!?

[LC5F]

Is it easy enough to clean/service the front calipers!?

Depends where the problem is -
Initially try cleaning the carriers and guide bolts, rebuild using ceramic grease to lubricate - don’t use copper grease, it’s crap
Take it for a test drive, hopefully this will sort you out
-If it’s still sticking you need to dig deeper into the piston.

[lloydy88]

@LC5F

Quick update on the above, after a hectic Xmas I managed to get the golf up in the air today, checked all wheels and as I expected the front left is the culprit! Sticking like mad!

I’ve ordered a caliper repair/service kit for a few quid, includes new piston, dust covers, “o” ring etc etc, really good value! I’ve done plenty of research and the job seems simple enough so I’m confident it’ll solve the issue! Thanks again for the advice! 👍🏻