Wheels not rotating freely - HELP

SalSheikh

Under the Hood
Sep 2, 2009
2,760
5
Midlands, UK
Guys
Recently purchased an FR TDI and its got had a few issues already!

We initially thought the brakes were binding but even with calipers off the discs will not turn freely

Checked the bearings and they are fine too

So this means either the gearbox is buggered even though there is no funny sounds from it.
Could it possibly be the diff as someone mentioned to me?
Question is how would I check if the diff is causing this issue?

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SalSheikh

Under the Hood
Sep 2, 2009
2,760
5
Midlands, UK
Guys
Recently purchased an FR TDI and its got had a few issues already!

We initially thought the brakes were binding but even with calipers off the discs will not turn freely

Checked the bearings and they are fine too

So this means either the gearbox is buggered even though there is no funny sounds from it.
Could it possibly be the diff as someone mentioned to me?
Question is how would I check if the diff is causing this issue?

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I should mention that the car feels it is dragging once you let go of the accelerator and once warm the brakes make a lot of squeeling noise!

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Muttley

Catch that diesel!
Mar 17, 2006
4,987
31
North Kent
I'd start by checking that your gearbox oil level is good. Not the simplest of operations, really needs a lift, as the level is set by a level plug in the gearbox, so it has to be horizontal to check. How many miles has the car done?
 

SalSheikh

Under the Hood
Sep 2, 2009
2,760
5
Midlands, UK
I'd start by checking that your gearbox oil level is good. Not the simplest of operations, really needs a lift, as the level is set by a level plug in the gearbox, so it has to be horizontal to check. How many miles has the car done?
Cars done approx 120k
Will see if i can check level/top it up

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SalSheikh

Under the Hood
Sep 2, 2009
2,760
5
Midlands, UK
do they ever feel like they are free though? - without trying ourselves i guess only you can tell if it feels correct or not!?

to turn the wheels u have to use a screwdriver to lever it for the discs to turn otherwise you cannot turn them by hand as you should be able to.

looks like the master cylinder and servo have been changed as they are new so will see if they have been fitted correctly.
 

Gaz20VT

Active Member
Aug 5, 2011
122
15
to turn the wheels u have to use a screwdriver to lever it for the discs to turn otherwise you cannot turn them by hand as you should be able to.

looks like the master cylinder and servo have been changed as they are new so will see if they have been fitted correctly.

A squealing noise when would indicate something's rubbing or stuck somewhere.
So you've jacked the car up, and can't turn the front wheels by hand, right?

If you've also tried removing the front calipers and pads, and still can't turn anything, for me unless the discs were rubbing on the caliper carriers/brackets, then this would rule out the braking system.
 

SalSheikh

Under the Hood
Sep 2, 2009
2,760
5
Midlands, UK
A squealing noise when would indicate something's rubbing or stuck somewhere.
So you've jacked the car up, and can't turn the front wheels by hand, right?

If you've also tried removing the front calipers and pads, and still can't turn anything, for me unless the discs were rubbing on the caliper carriers/brackets, then this would rule out the braking system.
Do you think its gearbox related?

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SalSheikh

Under the Hood
Sep 2, 2009
2,760
5
Midlands, UK
So you confirm it's the same with all of the brakes disassembled?
No we have only taken off the front nearside caliper off and jacked up the car so both wheels were off the ground.

Couldnt turn the disc by hand at all. Offside front was a bit easier to turn compared to the nearside front

Could a wrong master cylinder/servo cause this issue?


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Gaz20VT

Active Member
Aug 5, 2011
122
15
I dont believe so, as when you remove the calliper from the nearside wheel, you've removed all the influence from the brakes. And the offside was easier to turn, and you didn't remove that calliper.

I think it's going to be a case of starting with the easy (read cheap) stuff and working up to the expensive bits.

Could you remove the disc and try turning the drive flange (hub) - to remove any influence of the disc rubbing on something (carrier, upright, etc).
Then looking at the wheel bearings, CVs and finally the gearbox.

Start simple and try to go with a process of elimination. Remove one part at a time until the friction on the parts is reduced to what you'd call "normal". Have you anything to compare with?
 

clag

Active Member
Dec 28, 2016
111
0
How have you checked the wheel bearings to see that theyre fine?

From here id be disconnecting the drivehafts from the wheels along with the brake caliper. if it still doesnt turn there isnt much else it can be other than the bearing.

Was the car stood a long time?
 

SalSheikh

Under the Hood
Sep 2, 2009
2,760
5
Midlands, UK
How have you checked the wheel bearings to see that theyre fine?

From here id be disconnecting the drivehafts from the wheels along with the brake caliper. if it still doesnt turn there isnt much else it can be other than the bearing.

Was the car stood a long time?

Yes, took wheels off and checked the bearings and they are fine.

Car is booked in at a local garage to see if they can find anything thats causing the issue. They seem to think it isnt gearbox related so lets hope it isnt (fingers and legs crossed!)
 

clag

Active Member
Dec 28, 2016
111
0
what did you do to check the bearings? the reason i ask is because failing bearings dont always move side to side or up and down. it takes a surprisingly little amount of wear to make them rumble.
 

SalSheikh

Under the Hood
Sep 2, 2009
2,760
5
Midlands, UK
what did you do to check the bearings? the reason i ask is because failing bearings dont always move side to side or up and down. it takes a surprisingly little amount of wear to make them rumble.
My old mans a mechanic and he checked them and said they were fine.
Will have to see what the garage reports back whenever they work on the car

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