New Daily Driver

[t-tony]

I would go to an MOT station and ask for (and watch) a brake test being carried out just to see if the brakes are working as they should. Does the ABS light come on with ignition and go out after a few seconds each time you start up.

Tony.

 

[Faheem]

The ABS light doesn't stay on whilst driving but I've never paid attention to whether it shows during startup - which it should. I figure most clusters around this time should have LEDs making it harder to disconnect the bulb to hide a fault? I'll double check tomorrow in any case. How much should I expect to pay for a brake test - so i dont get mugged off? I assume it's part of a standard MOT so shouldn't cost nearly as much as a full MOT...

 

[t-tony]

If I did it we would not charge anything. I would be surprised if a garage would not do that for free mate TBH. If they want to charge, say no thanks Scrooge, and look elsewhere.

Tony.

 

[FRANKIE]

The ABS light doesn't stay on whilst driving but I've never paid attention to whether it shows during startup - which it should. I figure most clusters around this time should have LEDs making it harder to disconnect the bulb to hide a fault? I'll double check tomorrow in any case. How much should I expect to pay for a brake test - so i dont get mugged off? I assume it's part of a standard MOT so shouldn't cost nearly as much as a full MOT...

How old are your calipers?................Frankie (ei......how many miles of wear on them)

 

[Faheem]

110k and 13 years worth of wear on them if they're the original ones which I believe they are.

However the zeds are more than 20 years old and I have no issues with them

 

[t-tony]

I'm wondering if the pads are glazed and just not biting into the discs.

Tony.

 

[Faheem]

Yeh not much you can say without looking at it or examining it, like you say Tony I'll go in tomorrow or Saturday to get a brake test done and if all looks good then I'll take the pads out to check the condition of them. Whats interesting is that the squeak has gotten progressively louder over the past few months where its more than just a little embarrassing to apply the brakes in a built up area, sounds almost like a bus! I don't like spending more than i have to on the Polo but brakes are safety critical so this will be addressed asap.

 

[t-tony]

To be honest mate discs and pads for a Polo are very cheap and, as you say, are critical.

Tony.

 

[Faheem]

Yep. Not too difficult to change either just not a job I wanted to tackle in December! Oh well, what can you do!

In terms of finding the right pads, is there a way I can without taking the pads out, there seem to be a million that show up for the fronts when I put my reg in...

 

[t-tony]

I can see 3 different types possible, but having said that, I think these will be the ones.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRONT-BRA...265259&hash=item281cfaed47:g:jeAAAOSwENxXl49K

Have a look through the N/S wheel and see if you can see a wear indicator wire from the inner pad which connects on the calliper.

Tony.

 

[Faheem]

Many thanks Tony much appreciated.

 

[t-tony]

I honestly cannot remember fitting any of the other types on a Polo Faheem, but that's not saying it couldn't be one of them. If you can take a picture of the side of the calliper through the wheel I think we could narrow it right down.

Tony.

 

[FRANKIE]

I'm wondering if the pads are glazed and just not biting into the discs.

Tony.

Sounds like they're fading or there's something interfering with the travel of the caliper piston...............Frankie

 

[5harp3y]

Abs pump on the way out?

 

[t-tony]

Abs pump on the way out?

Usually associated with ABS light though.

Tony.

 

[5harp3y]

Usually associated with ABS light though.

Tony.

Unless that's faulty too

 

[g8jka]

My local station did a brake test for me a couple of years back and didn't charge me anything.

 

[Faheem]

Abs light comes on during startup phase and goes off correctly as one should expect.

Will take the pads off tomorrow just to see what the condition is like. And hopefully will get the brake test done too.

Did get my first parking ticket today, wrong registration on it though and even with the correct details i can't pay for it online as it doesnt seem to recognise the details that I throw at it. This was for parking in what was 2 months ago a free car park! Isn't life wonderful

 

[t-tony]

Abs light comes on during startup phase and goes off correctly as one should expect.

Will take the pads off tomorrow just to see what the condition is like. And hopefully will get the brake test done too.

Did get my first parking ticket today, wrong registration on it though and even with the correct details i can't pay for it online as it doesnt seem to recognise the details that I throw at it. This was for parking in what was 2 months ago a free car park! Isn't life wonderful

If it has the wrong reg it isn't yours.!

Tony.

 

[Faheem]

Missed a character off the beginning of the reg so whilst its technically incorrect it was still meant for my car.

Either way went to pay it but with the details I've been given, I can't... So there's not much I can do.