Main brake faults (VW Golf 4)

CAUSE	METHOD OF ELIMINATION
Increased free travel of the brake pedal
The brake pads are worn out	Replace the brake pads
One of the brake system circuits is faulty	Check the tightness of the hydraulic circuits of the brake system
Increased travel and softness of the clutch pedal
There is air in the hydraulic brake system	Bleed the hydraulic brake system
Low brake fluid level in the reservoir	Bring the brake fluid level up to normal. Remove air from the hydraulic brake system
Brake fluid boiling, which usually occurs under high load on the brake system	Replace brake fluid. Remove air from the hydraulic brake system
Low brake efficiency
The hydraulic brake system is leaking	Identify and repair the leak in the hydraulic brake system
The sealing ring in the master or wheel brake cylinder is damaged	Replace the O-ring. If the O-ring in the master cylinder is damaged, replace the internal parts of the master cylinder or the brake cylinder assembly
When pressing the brake pedal, you need to apply a lot of force
Oil got on the brake pads	Replace the brake pads
The brake pads installed are the wrong type	Replace the brake pads
The brake booster is faulty or there is a leak in the booster vacuum hose	Check the brake booster and vacuum hose condition and replace if necessary
The brake pads are worn out	Replace the brake pads
When braking, the car pulls to the side
Uneven tire pressure	Check and, if necessary, adjust the tire pressure to normal
Uneven tire wear	Replace worn tires
Oil got on the brake pads on one side of the car	Replace the brake pads
Brake pads with different friction materials are used on different sides of the vehicle	Replace the brake pads
Insufficient contact area between the brake pads and the brake disc	Replace the brake pads
Contamination of the caliper	Clean the surfaces of the caliper that mating with the brake pads
Complete or partial seizure of the piston in the caliper	Replace the caliper
Uneven wear of brake pads	Replace the brake pads and check the smoothness of the piston movement in the caliper
Constant braking of wheels
The compensation hole in the master brake cylinder is blocked	Clean and, if necessary, replace the internal components of the brake master cylinder
Insufficient clearance between the pushrod and the piston of the master brake cylinder	Check and, if necessary, adjust the clearance between the pushrod and the piston of the master brake cylinder
The ABS warning light comes on while the vehicle is moving
The voltage in the vehicle's on-board network is less than 10 V	Check the voltage in the vehicle's electrical system. Check that the battery charge indicator light goes out after the engine starts. Otherwise, check the condition of the V-belt and alternator
Anti-lock brake system is faulty	Check the condition of the anti-lock braking system at a service station
The brakes get hot when the car is moving
The compensation hole in the master brake cylinder is blocked	Clean and, if necessary, replace the internal components of the brake master cylinder
Insufficient clearance between the pushrod and the piston of the master brake cylinder	Check and, if necessary, adjust the clearance between the pushrod and the piston of the master brake cylinder
The brake pads are constantly pressed against the brake disc	Check the operation of the brake caliper and replace it if necessary
Strong vibration when braking
The brake pads installed are the wrong type	Replace the brake pads
There are traces of local corrosion on the brake disc	Machine the working surface of the brake disc
Brake disc deformation	Machine or replace the brake disc
The brake pads are constantly pressed against the brake disc, while the wheel turns with difficulty
There is corrosion in the brake caliper cylinders	Repair or replace the brake caliper
Uneven wear of brake pads
The brake pads installed are the wrong type	Replace the brake pads
Brake caliper contamination	Clean the caliper
Piston jamming in the caliper	Check the condition and replace the caliper if necessary
The hydraulic brake system is leaking	Locate and repair the leak in the hydraulic brake system
Wedge-shaped wear of brake shoe linings
The brake caliper is installed at an angle relative to the brake disc	Check the correct installation of the brake caliper
There is corrosion in the brake caliper	Clean away traces of corrosion from the caliper
Brake noise when braking
The brake shoe lining is completely worn out	Replace the brake pads
There is a slight layer of rust on the brake discs	After a few brakings the noise should disappear and not appear again
The brake pads installed are the wrong type	Replace the brake pads
The brake caliper is installed at an angle relative to the brake disc	Check the correct installation of the brake caliper
The appearance of strong vibration when braking on the brake pedal or steering wheel
During heavy braking, the anti-lock braking system operates	No repair is required as this is a normal phenomenon
Severe wear or warping of brake discs	Check the condition of the brake discs and replace them if necessary
The caliper mounting bolts are loose	Check and tighten the caliper mounting bolts if necessary

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The text has been checked: Kolesnikov Artem

Previous articles
Removal and installation handbrake cables
Removal, installation and adjusting the brake light switch
Checking the brake booster
Brake lines and hoses
Bleeding brakes — all methods
Bleeding brakes — using a pressure bleeding kit

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