Worn brakes on a Panda

[Burnso]

Hi,

Could anyone help me with a breaking issue, before I get sold an entire Happy Meal...

2yo Panda, 2WD, 1.2 engine. Took it in fpr 25k service 5weeks/c.700 miles agoago. All came back a.o.k., with only 35%ware on front pads after 25k.

After service, could hear light metal friction noise on front wheels. Nothing major. Three weeks later I kept on getting out of the car to check for a flat tyre...until yesterday when braking going down hill at c.40mph I got violent juddering on brake pedal and steeri.g wheel. Would continue for a few seco.ds after taking my foot off the brake. Didn't happen every time I used the brakes

Garage is now saying that front brakes are now completely worn through, due to the brakes sticking as a result of build up of corrosion and dirt. Is this likely after such a short time/distance?

Any advice on what to ask/check when I pick it up? The garage is replacing the breaks for £250 all in...

Thanks

[theshrew]

How long and far have you gone since the service was done ?

[Locknut]

Burnso said:

... All came back a.o.k., with only 35%ware on front pads after 25k.



Garage is now saying that front brakes are now completely worn through, due to the brakes sticking as a result of build up of corrosion and dirt. Is this likely after such a short time/distance?

No, it's unlikely to happen in 700 miles.

Either the first garage service report was wrong or they are going for over-kill on the repair.

If they stated that the brakes were 35% worn they must have measured them. This means a close examination, if not a partial dismantling of the brakes, so any build-up of corrosion and dirt should have been obvious. They should have cleaned the brakes as part of the service or at least reported it to you. I suspect they didn't inspect the brakes properly at the first service.

[Burnso]

Thanks for the replies.

They said that the brakes failed due to a build up of road dirt. The service I had in July was 900 miles ago. They said that this could happen anytime with the brakes and that the 24k full service was only a visual inspection which would not have picked up this issue. Considering I paid £300 for my 24k service, I am obviously disapppointed with their response. A friend who is in the industry thinks their stance is unfair and has advised me that I should take it up with Fiat customer servicea, which I have done. I will also take it up with the Scottish Motor Trade organisation. The garage was quite defiant when I discussed this with them.

They also did not change the calipers, which is odd considering this was apparently the cause.

The car is exactly 2 yrs old, and only the obe garage has ever worked on it. They claimed that a " vehicle as old as mine" had to expect issues like this with the brakes to occur. My mate in the industry pretty much said that was a damning statement in terms of their angle on the situation.

Will post how I get on for anyone who experiences anything similar.

[Burnso]

In terms of their inspection of the brakes at the 24k service...apparently this was only a visual inspection and a "turn of the wheel" to ensure that it had free movement. The brakes inspection at the service recieved a "green light" with no advisory that there were any suspected current or pending issues. The garage confirmed that they did not remove and inspect the brake components as part of the service.

[b2hbm]

Isn't a 2yr service where they usually change the brake fluid ? If so they should have had a very good view of the brakes all round the car. I think I would check your handbook for the service requirements at 2yrs.

Sadly I'm with a previous poster, the mechanic has either thought "2yr old car, nothing goes wrong at 2yrs" and has skimped that aspect of the service, or equally likely it's simple human error and the guy missed it. Just because it's a trained mechanic doesn't mean they can't make simple mistakes.

Having said all that, I can see a set of front brake pads wearing out in roughly 26k, so that part seems normal. If they really had only been 1/3rd worn at 25k you could extrapolate that to mean they'd go on to 75k, which seems a lot for a set of front brakes to me.

Brian

Edited by b2hbm on Friday 23 August 06:23

[theshrew]

Burnso said:

In terms of their inspection of the brakes at the 24k service...apparently this was only a visual inspection and a "turn of the wheel" to ensure that it had free movement. The brakes inspection at the service recieved a "green light" with no advisory that there were any suspected current or pending issues. The garage confirmed that they did not remove and inspect the brake components as part of the service.

Thats all any garage would do on any service. No problem with that.

However they have told you that the pads are only 35% worn at the service. So to wear out that quick the calipers must be siezed on so bad you would be a retard not to notice, your discs would be glowing red hot - So no way that could be the case.

Ive just asked a guy at work his Panda has just had pads at 22k so your probably due for a change anyway.

Im my opinion the garage has nessed up the readings on the sheet and your pads have just worn out. They are now just trying to bull st you into paying.

Go in and ask to see the job card see what was done. If they have not changed calipers, or done any work to un sieze them they are talking rubbish.

TBF you should be paying for the pads but the dealer messed up on the service sheet readings so play on that to get some money off - If no joy go to Fiat.

[Burnso]

Thanks again for all the advice and comments.

Have raised it with Fiat customer services and they seem to be on it. Will also raise it with the Scottish Motor Trade association as they mediate disputes. All the stuff you have given me when I do.