2018 Cupra R Brake Judder/Vibration-advice

[Polly]

I posted this before. I suspected the rear brakes, as the stuck on over Christmas and left pad material on the discs. I cleaned outer but the distant SEAT garage charged me £150 to remove service and clean the rears. [You all though it was dear]

However I sill have brake judder when they are hot [not tracked or over cooked]
Its after warm and before very hot. Vibration is felt through Pedal, Car, and steering wheel. Certain it is the front now.

Booked it in again with a nearer SEAT garage that was open now. They diagnosed REARS again and some scoring. I gently protested and asked for second opinion. Yes judder/vibration. They are certain it was REAR.

ALL discs and pads changed. Confirmed okay. However as soon as I had bedded the rears in [100 miles] it was still vibrating/juddering.
Rebooked for 27th for 2 days with loan car same garage Heritage SEAT Bristol.

Just had a call to say as the rears were just done they MAY not get warranty approval for fronts and the cost is £1000. [Stated I did warn you it was fronts]

In the event that happens I have asked them to fully road test, report, and return car. I will have to have a 'conversation' with SEAT

Car was put on the road January 2019 and has 4000 miles only.

What do you guys think?
Press for warranty.
Get the parts and get it fixed elsewhere [how much for the pads and bimetal discs.?]
Give up, live with it, as it comes and goes, temp dependant
FLOG IT !!

 

[Damo H]

My understanding is that as you think, it will be the fronts.

The fronts build up a deposit from getting to hot with a fe contributing factors main issues (one of which may not apply to you).

1) Apparently the cores (or backing) of the standard pads made by Brembo have some metal element.
2) The discs are ventilated and directional, but for some quite literal bupkin Audi/VW idea, they only made one. So you'll find one disc on one side (I forget which) is vented the wrong way! So this side is more prone to overheating if really pushed.
3) DSG (Not applicable to UK #R). Combine the above, and then you stop holding your foot on the brake pedal to stop you moving. (Eg at a set of lights). and the hot pad leaves a deposit on the discs.
4) Auto hold - Similar to above with the electronic brakes holding all 4 brakes on. If I've braked heavily and having to come to a complete stop, I put the handbrake on releasing the front brakes.

I believe changing the pads themselves is enough to stop this happening again, but I'll be considering Reylands discs when the time comes.

 

[Polly]

Thanks Damo excellent reply as usual. So if I do not get it warranted a set of pads maybe. Cheers Andy

 

[SRGTD]

For me, the tell tale sign that it was highly likely to have been the fronts would’ve been the vibration through the steering wheel under braking.

I had brake judder on two previous cars way back in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. In both cases, the cause was warped front brake discs and the vibration through the steering wheel was really noticeable. The front discs were replaced under warranty on one car (warping front discs was a known problem with that model of car) and skimmed on the other car. In both instances, the problem was rectified and no more brake judder.

@Polly; unless I’m misunderstanding something, I’d be asking the dealer why the defective front discs wouldn’t be warranted just because the rears had been replaced recently. Assuming the Seat new car warranty T’s and C’s are similar to - if not the same as - VW’s, the VW new car warranty does exclude brake linings (brake shoes where rear brakes are drum) and disc pads after the first 6 months / 6,500 miles (wear and tear items) but there’s no mention of the actual discs themselves being excluded. I don’t see why replacing the rears would result in a warranty claim being denied for defective front brake discs. Even if the fronts have been replaced and they prove to be defective, then they should be covered for two years or the remainder of the 3 year warranty, whichever happens sooner.

I’d be pushing for the fronts to be replaced under warranty. Good luck and please keep the forum updated on progress and the outcome.

 

[Polly]

Okay update.

After lots of testing they stuck it on the MOT Brake tester.
Quote from the young girl service advisor
This showed up Rears PERFECT and smooth consistent braking, but large bouts/amounts of fluctuation on the fronts under braking loads.;;
Discs seemed/deemed/checked okay but pads not good and possibly heat scorched/marked and need replacing.

A technical report has been sent to SEAT for a repair/suggestions/advice and warranty claim.

AM tomorrow believed.
I have now been quoted £300 plus or minus for the pads. [Not sure about all this labour over the past two days]

[Original bill for full replacement was £1k]

Cheers Andy

 

[Polly]

Damo, is that what you said then!!! [only more technical thanks]

 

[Damo H]

Damo, is that what you said then!!! [only more technical thanks]

Yeah.

Someone I know and trust when it comes to these things told me he hasn't seen a warped disc in years. And that all these TTRS/Sub8 disc brakes hat people claim are warped, have in fact just got pad residue built up on them.

The pads construction and compound are clearly the issue, but the effect is exaggerated by the fact 1, the discs are ventilated the wrong way on one side, and 2, DSG gearboxs where people sit on the brakes at traffic lights.

 

[Polly]

Thanks for that
Just had confirmation. Warranty paying for pads only.