Hi all, hoping for some good advice.

My 06 Panda 4x4 has developed a horrible "graunching" noise when I brake, or when I pull away after having stopped. Once I am up and running, the noise disappears until I brake again. It sounds like it is coming from the front N/S brake caliper and I have yet to investigate. However, just to add to my problems, I was driving today and as I went to apply the brakes, the pedal dropped to the floor and the brake warning light came on. Luckily for me, there was no hazard and I pulled up using the hand brake. I then pushed down on the pedal and it worked as it should, then drove home, same thing, brakes worked ok. Checked visually when I got home, but no signs of fluid leaks, so am a little mystified.

My main thoughts are, do I bother chucking any more money at her? I have spent £350/400 each year for the last three years, on welding and other bits, mainly because I love my Panda, but looking at the prices of new calipers, etc etc. I maybe sell her on to someone with tech knowledge who will not have to pay dealer prices to keep her going. She has 9 months MOT and the engine runs like a trooper for 96k

Any advice greatly appreciated, has anyone had similar brake problems?

Thanks in advance.

Ian (Cyclerider)

At a guess sounds like the pads have gone. I would inspect there first, 8t may be that the discs and pistons will need inspecting for signs of damage.

To he fair 300-400 a year on general maintenance and running costs isn't that bad, some people spend more than that each month on finance.

Is it a diesel or petrol? Makes no difference to the above, just some idle interest ?

fluid level okay ? the light will come on before minimum is reached


are you sure the noise is from the font?


a rear shoe coming off will cause a intermittent low pedal. Sometimes also causes a noise or lock up in reverse

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR PANDA, INVESTIGATE IMMEDIATLY
Check the pads are actually there!
the brake material could have separated from the backing pad or a complete pad may have dropped out, hence the sudden loss of pressure.
IF THE PAD HAS GONE ITS THE PISTON GRAUNCHING ON THE DISC, DAMAGING BOTH. POTENTIAL HAZARD TO LIFE.....

New pads and discs are not expensive or difficult to fit. Get them replaced.

There is a ray of hope it might just be brake splash guard but more likely its dangerous to drive and potentially doing costly damage to the non wearing parts.

09 johno said:

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR PANDA, INVESTIGATE IMMEDIATLY
Check the pads are actually there!
the brake material could have separated from the backing pad or a complete pad may have dropped out, hence the sudden loss of pressure.
IF THE PAD HAS GONE ITS THE PISTON GRAUNCHING ON THE DISC, DAMAGING BOTH. POTENTIAL HAZARD TO LIFE.....

Click to expand...

:yeahthat:


there must be a cause of the pedal going to the floor and shouldn't be driven until found. Regardless of any other advise.

Thanks all, as a couple of you suggested, NSF pads had worn down to the steel backing, then worn away the backing and then the shim. As far as the Tech dude who sorted her could see, he thinks the backing of the pad dropped out, hence the "foot to floor" moment as the piston took up the space!.

The strange thing was that the pads on the D.S.F were only 50% worn, whereas the NSF ones were totally goosed. The car only passed its MOT in January and I was surprised they didn't notice excess wear. But Hey Ho!, worse things happen at sea.

New discs and pads fitted for £150 inc vat, which I thought was superb. She is now a lot quieter, apart from the odd rumbles from the drive train which seem to be "character" and the brakes work which is a bonus, so looks like I am keeping her for a bit longer.

Thanks again for your comments.

Ian

Glad you got it sorted.

MOT test is only for efficiency of the system and not wear of the components. They basically stick it on the equivalent of a rolling road and make sure it stops within the specified requirements.

Wearing on one side would suggest a sticking caliper. Hopefully with new pads and discs it will all have been cleaned up, freed up and greased up accordingly, freeing up the sticking caliper.