My squealing squeaking brakes!!! WHY?

[synnea]

Hello all,

My R32 for the past 3 weeks has had terrible issues with the brakes squealing as I come to a halt. Happens most when slowing from 30mph down to a stop in the wet and dry.  The car was in for a service last Thursday and I explained to them the problem at my local dealer. The service guy advised me that the brake pads would be changed if needed.

On picking the car up I was told the brake pads were no where near needing changing. On hearing that I asked them well what is causing the squeaking of the brakes when I slow down to a stop. His reply was 'dust'. I assume he meant brake dust.

On driving home I thought that this 'dust' would have been cleared as part of the service but the squeaking of brakes is still there! It is now getting to the point that I cant bare it. My car never did it before until about 3 weeks ago. The service has made no difference unless there is something they havent done.

Can any over you shed some light if you have had this issue with any MK5 golf whether R32 like myself or GTI/ED 30 etc. I was about to phone my service dept back to tell them I still have the problem but wanted some opinions from here first. Any of you any idea of a cause and/or a fix? Thanks.

[AlanD]

When I first picked up mine in May it was squeaking, did it for a month or so and then just stoped. No idea what the cause or the fix was to be honest. I have heard that doing some big stop from 70MPH and some heavy brakeing can resolve it.

[topher]

find a nice quiet dual carriageway and give the brakes a good hard stomping.. mine have just started squeaking but my pads are low anyway so I got a full set of discs and pads at the weekend.
For your info, incase you need any of them, parts are:

Front vented disc - 81.06 + VAT each
Rear vented disc - 40.83 + VAT each
Front pad set - 59.69 + VAT
Rear pad set - 42.92 + VAT

Add the vat to that lot and you get about a quid change from 400 notes.

[KentBladeboy]

Very common this time of year, often lower brake pressures used and build up of slime on braking surfaces.
Ask any biker who rides all year round, in these conditions you brake a lot lighter and the surfaces do not get scrubbed as well as warmer weather situations.
As stated, find a quiet straight area, get upto a good speed (you know what I mean) and brake hard and firm down to about 25mph, repeat this several times, allowing the discs to cool slightly each time, usually will work.
If not then, cleaning discs and pad surfaces will usually help, but is time consuming.

[synnea]

ok all thanks for that. I will find a quiet road somewhere at a reasonable (safe) speed and give the brakes a good wack.

[clive]

^^ If this doesn't cure it you could try spreading some copper grease on the back of the pads.

[marshmallow]

I have this problem from day one when I got my ED30. Been back to the dealer for about 5 times and they couldn't fault the brakes. I know what you mean it's a very annoying sound, happens just before the car comes to a stop.

I haven't try the hard braking method yet, need to try it out soon.  

let us know the outcome.

cheers

[ub7rm]

As said before, the pads are glazed.  The garage I use for servicing takes the pads off and deglaze them as part of the service.  Obviously VW don't..

[topher]

The garage I use for servicing takes the pads off and deglaze them as part of the service.

have you actually witnessed that for yourself? never ever heard of a garage doing that

[synnea]

I have this problem from day one when I got my ED30. Been back to the dealer for about 5 times and they couldn't fault the brakes. I know what you mean it's a very annoying sound, happens just before the car comes to a stop.

I haven't try the hard braking method yet, need to try it out soon.  

let us know the outcome.

cheers

Highly embarassing, picking the wife up from work yesterday, saw a few wee lads having a look at my nice deep blue baby (thats the car, not the wife...) then the damn squeal of the brakes was enough to scatter the crowd as I stopped to let the wife in 

Im meeting some friends tonight for a feed and then cinema so will be heading home late. Clear roads and a chance to do some hard braking. Will let you know tomorrow if it has made any difference.