Grinding/rubbing noise from front end

[darkhorse1210]

Hoping that someone can help on this but appreciate that it may be difficult to diagnose remotely.
Drove the car yesterday fo 40 odd miles in the morning and it was totally fine. The car sat for an hour or so and started to drive it again. Within a few minutes a really nasty grinding/rubbing noise was coming from the front end of the car (initially I thought it was driver's side)
I stopped the car and check it out to se if anything was rubbing on the front wheels. I adjusted the flps that direct air to the bakes thinking it could be that.
It was OK for a couple of minutes when the noise came back. The rubbing is so bad that I can feel it through the steering column, seems like more than a shot wheel bearing for example.
I drove the car for about 60 miles (had little choice to do so as we had to be somewhere) and the problem came and went but remained for the remainder of the journey. The weird thing was that towards the end of the journey the nosie transferred to the driver's side making me think this could be a driveshaft problem?? Any ideas anyone?

[darkhorse1210]

Quick update, just driven the car 60 miles back....

The problem is intermitent, but it is definitely from the front passenger side wheel area. The noise stops when the brakes are applied.

The rubbing noise is very loud and most noticeable between 50-90mph.

I'm no mechanic but my best guesses are that the problem could be

(a) problem with the brake caliper not releasing properly from the disc?
(b) wheel bearing knackered?
(c) brake disc warped? (shouldn't be this as they are <6k miles old)

Any advice from anyone?

[alastairg]

It is the old problem of galvanisation build distorting the brake pad backing plate leading to them failing to disengage from the disc fully. It needs them to be stripped down, backing plate removal, galvanisation removal then treatment to re seal (not just lots of grease) new backing plate & re assemble.

Check here & S2 forum for more detailed solutions. BTW even new OEM calipers will develop this after 2-3 years !!!!!!!

[darkhorse1210]

It is the old problem of galvanisation build distorting the brake pad backing plate leading to them failing to disengage from the disc fully. It needs them to be stripped down, backing plate removal, galvanisation removal then treatment to re seal (not just lots of grease) new backing plate & re assemble.

Check here & S2 forum for more detailed solutions. BTW even new OEM calipers will develop this after 2-3 years !!!!!!!

Alastair

You're a legend, thanks for that

I'll find that thread on the S2 forum and hand all details to my specialist....I won't be taking that on myself that's for sure.

[darkhorse1210]

Alastair

One more question, you mention a 'backing plate' in your response. Do you mean the 'caliper carrier'? This is how my specialist described it as when I had a similar problem on the passenger side rear wheel about a year ago, sounds like the same problem?!

Tom

[darkhorse1210]

Just gone back throught he history and found this to be a problem for a few of us on here

Just tried to login to the Vagcat catalogue to get the part number for the caliper carrier but the system is down, does anyone else know the part number or has access to another online part number catalogue?

Also, I guess it is worth getting a new bearing kit fitted whilst it's stripped down as this only appears to cost £35 for the parts?

Also checked my service history and there's a record of the front calipers having the 'corrosion cleared from front brake calipers' in May 2008, no mention of a new caliper carrier though so looks like they only sorted half of the problem.

[darkhorse1210]

[quote="alastairg"]It is the old problem of galvanisation build distorting the brake pad backing plate leading to them failing to disengage from the disc fully. It needs them to be stripped down, backing plate removal, galvanisation removal then treatment to re seal (not just lots of grease) new backing plate & re assemble.

Check here & S2 forum for more detailed solutions. BTW even new OEM calipers will develop this after 2-3 years !!!!!!![/quote

Ali G

Top marks to you and well diagnosed. It was in fact the rear passenger side wheel that was squeeling, caused by exactly what you mentioned.

A £140 fix so pretty pleased to have come away from my specialist without too much damage to the plastic fantastic.

Now I just have the air con to fix, just found a guy on EBay knocking out condensers for less that a 1/4 of Audi's price, if anyone else needs one then let me know and I'll send a link.

Tom