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• VW Golf GT TDI 150 mk7 - Rusting brake disc hubs 10 Oct 2013 (Forum)
  I purchased my Golf new 6 months ago and after 9000 miles and weekly cleaning, all 4 disc brake hubs are showing extensive and unsightly rust/corrosion. Not what I expected from a shiny new VW. Local dealer and VW UK both acknowledge this issue but apparently rectification not covered under warranty or as goodwiil gesture.
• Audi A4 B6 Avant - Brake Bleeding - Handbrake On? 11 Apr 2013 (Forum)
  I am about to tackle the job of flushing the brake fluid in my 2002 A4 Avant, a job I have done on other cars and have the Gunson pressure bleeding kit. The problem I have is that my drive is slightly inclined and when jacking the car to remove the wheels to gain acces to the bleed nipples I would be happier if I could leave the handbrake on, however the Haynes manual says release handbrake.
• Volkswagen Golf Mk2 - New Brake Calipers: Use-by Dates? 10 May 2011 (Forum)
  I'm interested in buying a new, genuine VW brake caliper that I've seen advertised. This is a brand bew unit, not reconditioned. On the box, it says 'Expiry Date: April 2011'. Even though brand new and unused, I've heard that seals in calipers can 'go off' if not used and I'm wondering if this could be the reason for the expiry date listed on the box - currently one month out of date.
• Fiesta 1388cc zetec - Supplier....355mm rear brake hoses for Mk1V Fiesta 23 Sep 2010 (Forum)
  Hi,anyone know of a supplier for rear brake hoses.My local accessories shops have all drawn a blank.Nearest is 17mm too short which stretches pipe,I need 355mm total length,males both end,or male/chamfered female.Cost £26 a pair for TRW compared to 70-odd quid from Ford parts,so am keen to locate good pattern parts.See there are hoses from Italy available on the well known auction site,anyone vouch for them??
• How does engine braking work on an auto? 25 Nov 2009 (Forum)
  So the torque converter allows the wheels to turn faster than the engine. But if I select a low gear when going downhill, I get engine braking, so the TC must be forcing the engine to turn with the wheels just like a manual would. I've seen this behaviour on all autos I can recall, so it seems pretty standard. So what is happening? Does selecting a lower gear engage the TC lock-up clutch, or is there something else going on?
• Ford Focus ST (2005 - ) - 06 1.6 boot opens when take foot off brake 8 Nov 2009 (Forum)
  I have a ford focus zetec 2006, when I take my foot off the brake the boot has started to click open. Also when the car is unlocked I cant open the boot, I have to press the boot button on the key to get it open. It only started happening last night, can you advise what I can do or should I take it to a garage to get them to fix it?
• Nissan Micra (1992 - 2003) - 94 1.0 General Question - Overheated Disc Brakes 22 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  Overheated the front disc brakes going down a hill today. A new and quite terrifying experience for me, as I don't often get out of Norfolk. Pulled over as soon as I realised they weren't working as effectively as usual, poured some water over them (much steam) and waited about ten minutes before driving very carefully back to a friend's.
• CO2 emissions petrol cars - reprogramming? 8 Apr 2008 (Forum)
  Two things I've read recently have struck me. 1) Manufacturers compete with one another to program the ECU so that emissions in one car are slightly less than in a competitor's. 2) A Dodge, I think, with CVT is programmed in such a way as to give engine braking. If it is possible to re-program to reduce emissions what do you lose elsewhere? HJ is always saying don't engine brake because pads are cheaper than gearbox and clutch parts. So if you program an auto box to engine brake does that put emissions up to say nothing of wearing the box?
• Citroen Xantia (1993 - 2000) - 1995 1.9td vsx estate rear brakes. 17 Feb 2008 (Forum)
  Have posted previously about a problem I've had with the rear brakes binding slightly and intermittently but haven't had a chance yet to investigate any of the suggested Possibilities. Car was MOT'd today and passed but had an advisory notice that "Rear callipers touching the discs" I'm at a loss to imagine how this is possible as with my limited knowledge I'd imagine that the pads would prevent this happening.It would seem to have identified the problem though.Any advice would be very welcome.
• Honda Jazz/Fit (2001 - 2008) - Main dealer failed to spot worn brake pads 14 Feb 2008 (Forum)
  . £190 later he drove away happy. 2 weeks later (whilst on holiday in Cornwall), horrible grinding noise from front of car. RAC called... jacked car up to find front brake pads had worn down to bare metal! Comments/thoughts? PS thankfully the discs aren't scored too badly...
• Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 01 1.6 zetec, weak brakes, ABS light & other bits 3 Feb 2008 (Forum)
  Just bought a high mileage (143,000) focus with zetec 1.6 engine. Car is nice and tight.....only problem I can see is weak brakes and abs light showing on dash!!!! I plan to service car next week ie: filters, plugs , oil etc. Any pointers as to what I should be aware of considering the mileage? Also am I right in thinking the oil for this model is semi synth 5/30?
• 2001 Primera ABS 27 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  I have a 2001 old shape Primera which I had a major service on in Oct (coolant, brake fluid etc) at 67000m. Since then progressivley (it was a couple of weeks before I really noticed) I have had the ABS physically coming on all of the time when I have to brake, and, I can hear the pump working whilst I am driving and not braking - my rear pads are low but not at the metal / metal stage.
• Changing brake bulb - 2002 Audi A4 26 Nov 2006 (Forum)
  Hi Does anyone know how to change a brake bulb in an A4. I have bought a bulb but cannot get to the light cluster. Inside the boot is all sealed up and if I moved the trim it looks as though half the boot has to be pulled out. Was just expecting a little hatch that unclips that you put your hand through - no such luck.
• MOT Advisories & Passat 25 Nov 2006 (Forum)
  Last year another garage insisted I replace a CV joint gaiter and said the other was on its way out , plus low brake fluid and rusty brake pipes. As the brake fluid was on max I ignored them. And no mention this year. I guess the main dealer was happy enough getting me to pay for a new radiator and other work. -- I wasna fu but just had plenty.
• Accent-cdx abs problem 6 Nov 2006 (Forum)
  This sound starts as soon as I touch the brake pedal, but goes away when I release the pedal. The brakes work perfectly but the abs coming on is a pain & scares passengers with the noise it makes,not to mention me. :-) Thanks for any help.
• 95N Volvo 440 brakes 8 Jul 2005 (Forum)
  A couple of days ago the handbrake went - not sure if the cable has snapped or just needs adjustment. However, SWMBO is also complaining that there is more travel than usual on the brake pedal now. Would this be a result of the failed handbrake? I've checked the front pads and there's still material left on them so that's not the problem. The car is a CVT auto if that makes a difference.
• Brake nipple dust caps 18 Jun 2005 (Forum)
  Halford's were just thick and proceeded upon hearing the word "dust" and "cap" somewhere in "have you got any dust caps for brake nipples please?" to hand me a packet of tyre valve caps! Thanks in advance. -------------- Mike Farrow
• MOT question 22 Apr 2004 (Forum)
  The reason I question this is that I frequently see rear lights of cars that would pass the MOT test (all bulbs fitted and operational) if each function (rear lights, brake lights, fog lights, indicators, reversing) was tested independently.. BUT if the car is indicating for a turn and the driver applies the brakes then the indicator stops working, the brake light starts flashing or some other odd combination.
• Mondeo brake drums 4 Apr 2004 (Forum)
  Could someone please provide me with a description of how to get the brake drums off a Mondeo? The Haynes book describes releasing the adjuster through a hole in the back plate. The diagram is inadequate, so you can feel a spring-loaded thingy through the hole, but it doesn't release the drum, nor is there any suggestion as to whether one should try to turn it to slacken the adjuster.
• Squeal when braking? 4 Jul 2003 (Forum)
  As far as I've sussed out, there is a squealing noise that only seems to happen when I'm driving slowly, downhill, and applying the brakes. And not every time either. Please, someone, tell me this is not something to worry about! Having just had the MOT done at some condsidderable cost, buying my tax today, and knowing that insurance is due on Sunday, I don't think I could cope with knowing there's yet another thing going wrong!