Vibrations at rear

[Carl Gibbs]

About a year ago, I took the car to the garage as I had quite a bad vibration from the rear when I was braking. It was quite bad on motorways and higher speeds. Garage recommended I replaced pads and discs. So I ended up replacing them all round. Problem seemed to stop however, at lower speeds, such as when I am slowing to a stop at traffic lights, it feels as if there is limp from the rear offside wheel, as if it is oval shaped. I have swapped the wheels and the limp is still there so I know it is not a tyre or wheel issue, and now the juddering has returned when braking. 

I have jacked up the car and spun the wheels and cannot hear any bearing issues. I am going to have to take her back to the garage but I feel a bit fobbed off by them by stating that the pads and discs were the issue, when it appears they weren't. 

 

Anyone had this issue before? Any ideas what it could be?

[Bigvic]

Sounds like you’re going to have to overhaul the brake calipers

On the other hand…

It’s a known thing that pad deposits can build up on the discs and cause this juddering

A good few heavy braking sessions from speed can remove these deposits and cure the problem till it comes back

[Carl Gibbs]

Thanks mate. I have tried the braking thing and it doesn't help so I can only assess that its not brake dust. I did think about a caliper, but would that make the car limp as described?

[N6 JMX]

You don't clarify as to whether the vibration or "limp" is only there when braking from speed or whether there is a vibration at the rear when travelling at a constant speed. If the vibration is there all of the time, especially when travelling at constant speed, the most likely culprit is tyres, differential or driveshafts - potentially a driveshaft has suffered a minor distortion and that would result in both vibration and / or the limp.

If you have access to a dial gauge indicator, you could check if the driveshafts are running true or suffering a minor out of round.

N6 JMX

[Carl Gibbs]

Thanks, I know its not the tyres as said, I have moved them around. I guess the drive shaft could be a good place to start. Don't have the tools but this gives me something to go to the mechanic with!