Persistent judder/vibration under braking

[Blackstar]

Had steering wheel and cabin judder under braking for a couple of months.

 

I have changed the discs twice and the issue goes completely away for a week or so and then gradually comes back.

 

I have:

• Replaced discs and pads (short term fix then comes back as above).
• Had the bearings/hubs tested for runout.
• Replaced a wheel bearing which showed some runout (no effect).
• Replaced both lower control arms/wishbones (no effect).

 

Other things to note:

• All discs and pads have been Pagid. Maybe a bad production run/batch?
• Vibrates less the harder you press, but you have to press really hard to not feel it.
• It's mainly the steering wheel and cabin that vibrates, not the brake pedal.
• There is a slight squeak on right lock you can hear when parking.
• Car pulls to the left a little more than it has recently.

 

Any ideas/help would be much appreciated as not wanting to throw endless amounts at the car as it is now on 100k miles. Would be a shame to let it go but thinking about cutting losses.

Edited yesterday at 23:18 by Blackstar

[Keith D]

The fact new discs and pads fixed it for a while, then it came back, suggests piston / slide pins might be the root cause.  One pad isn't retracting, creating heat, warping the disc.

 

I've never heard of pagid but copilot suggests they are not the best quality.  Buy cheap buy twice is the old saying.  When it comes to brakes and tyres I always buy the best I can afford, they're the things keeping you alive!

 

Do you have a DTI gauge to check disc runout again?

 

If that's okay then I'd lift the front, get a crowbar, and check every joint and every rubber on the front suspension for play.

Edited 1 hour ago by Keith D

[Blackstar]

Thanks a lot, pins and pistons have been replaced in calipers, forgot to mention.

 

Never had an issue with Pagid before but possibly a bad batch, although I agree that new discs getting rid of the issue temporarily is suspect.

 

I'll ask the mechanic about DTI gauge.

 

Going to go after upper arms and droplinks next but losing patience with the issue now!

 

Will keep you updated!