Identifying and troubleshooting brake system faults (VW Golf 5)

Contents: Too much free travel of the brake…↓ The brake pedal is pressed down far…↓ The braking effect is reduced, the…↓ Poor braking action despite high…↓ The brake mechanisms of the wheels…↓ The brakes work by themselves ↓ Brakes heating up while driving ↓ Brake rattling ↓ The wheels turn with difficulty ↓ Uneven wear of the linings ↓ Wedge-shaped wear of brake linings ↓ The brake pads do not move away from…↓ Squeaking brakes ↓ Brake pulsation ↓ ABS warning light comes on while…↓ Insufficient parking brake action ↓

Too much free travel of the brake pedal

Failure of one of the brake circuits

Check the brake circuits for brake fluid leaks.

The brake pedal is pressed down far and springs

Air in the brake system

Remove air from the brake system.

Too little brake fluid in the expansion tank

Add brake fluid, bleed the brakes

Formation of steam bubbles. Most often after a heavy load on the brakes, for example when going downhill

Replace the brake fluid, bleed the brakes.

The braking effect is reduced, the brake pedal is pressed to the stop

Leaky pipeline

Tighten the nuts at the connection points or replace the pipeline

Damaged seal on the master cylinder or wheel cylinder

Renew the seal. In the master cylinder, replace the internal parts, if necessary, replace the master cylinder (in the workshop).

Poor braking action despite high force applied to the brake pedal

Oily brake pads

Update your overlays.

Incorrect or hardened brake lining

Update your pads, use only original pads from the vehicle manufacturer.

The brake booster is faulty, the booster hose is defective and porous

Check the booster and booster hose.

The brake mechanisms of the wheels do not act simultaneously (the brakes "pull" in one direction)

Tire pressure is not as prescribed

Check the tire pressure and bring it to normal.

Uneven tire wear

Replace worn tires.

Oily brake pads

Update your overlays.

Brake linings of different brands are installed on one bridge

Replace the pads, use only original pads from the vehicle manufacturer.

Poor condition of the working surface of the brake lining

Replace the pads. Contaminated caliper cavities.

Clean the seating and guide surfaces of the brake pads of the caliper.

Wheel cylinder corrosion

Replace the brake caliper.

Uneven wear of brake lining

Update your brake pads (both wheels) and check the caliper stroke.

The brakes work by themselves

The master brake cylinder is faulty

Replace the brake master cylinder.

Brakes heating up while driving

Heavy brake action

Lubricate the moving parts of the drum brake. Overhaul the caliper (in the workshop).

The parking brake cable is restricted in movement

Lubricate the cable or replace it.

Swelling of the brake hose and clogging of its hole

Replace the brake hose.

Wheel cylinder corrosion

Replace the brake caliper.

Brake rattling

Incorrect brake pads

Replace the pads. Use only the original pads from the vehicle manufacturer.

The brake disc is covered with corrosion in places

Clean the disc thoroughly.

The brake disc has lateral runout

The wheels turn with difficulty

Brake pads do not come off the brake disc, corrosion of wheel brake cylinders

Repair the wheel brake mechanism. Replace the caliper if necessary.

Uneven wear of the linings

Incorrect brake pads

Replace the pads. Use only the original pads from the vehicle manufacturer.

The caliper is dirty

Clean the caliper cavities.

Caliper jamming

Spread the caliper guide pins.

Heavy stroke of wheel cylinder pistons

Expand the pistons.

Brake system leak

Check the tightness of the brake system.

Wedge-shaped wear of brake linings

The brake disc does not rotate parallel to the caliper

Check the caliper mating surface.

Caliper corrosion

Remove corrosion and contamination from the calipers or replace the calipers.

The brake pads do not move away from the brake disc and the wheels turn with difficulty

Corrosion of wheel brake cylinders

Repair the wheel brake mechanism. Replace the caliper if necessary.

Swelling of the brake hose and clogging of its hole

Replace the brake hose.

Squeaking brakes

Often attributed to atmospheric influences (humidity)

No intervention is required if the brakes squeal after a long period of parking in high humidity, but do not recur after the first braking.

Incorrect brake pads

Replace the pads. Use only the original pads from the vehicle manufacturer.

The brake disc does not rotate parallel to the caliper

Check the caliper mating surface.

The caliper cavities are dirty

Clean the caliper cavities.

Brake pulsation

ABS action

Normal phenomenon, no intervention required. Only for disc brakes!

Lateral runout of the brake disc or too large tolerance on the thickness of the disc

Check the runout and thickness tolerance of the disc. Rework or replace the disc.

The brake disc does not rotate parallel to the caliper

Check the caliper mating surface.

ABS warning light comes on while driving

Low battery power (voltage less than 10 volts)

Check the battery voltage. Make sure that the battery charge light goes out after the engine starts. Otherwise, check the condition of the V-belt and the alternator.

Please read the recommendations regarding the vehicle's active safety systems ABS/EB V/EDS/A SR/ESP.