Vibration while driving with missing disc retaining screw?

[Tripps]

My Golf has sufferent an offside front vibration since I got it that I'd always assumed was a faulty CV joint...

However, took of the wheel to check it out and found that everything seems alright when heaving it around when jacked up, but I did spot that the retaining screw for the disc was missing, so the hub and disc were not held together.

Would this likely cause a virbration while driving, or would the wheels nuts go through the hub and connect it to the disc as well?

Thanks in advance and apologies if I've got any explanations wrong!

[steve_D]

Provided the disc was seated correctly ( the screw alone would not have ensured this) then the missing screw would not be the cause of your vibration. It is too close to the centre of rotation to have a significant effect on balance. The wheel nuts/bolts will retain the whole lot without problem.

If the vibration has gone then it was probably something else you disturbed and we will never know.

Prove me wrong by taking the screw back out.

Steve

[Tripps]

steve_D said:

Provided the disc was seated correctly ( the screw alone would not have ensured this) then the missing screw would not be the cause of your vibration. It is too close to the centre of rotation to have a significant effect on balance. The wheel nuts/bolts will retain the whole lot without problem.

Hmm, that's what I thought, but was hoping for a quick and easy fix!

Might try borrowing the screw from the nearside tomorrow (can't think of anywhere to get a new one tomorrow) to see it that transfers or fixes the issue.

Otherwise will go through a more aggresive set of tests for the bearing and joint to see what isn't playing ball.

[tvrgit]

The missing screw should make no difference - the wheel holds the disk in place when bolted up.

What can happen though, is that when you take the wheel off and the disk is loose, you can get a tiny piece of grit fall down between the hub and disk (ie down the back) and then when you bolt the wheel back on, it's not straight to the hub. This can either cause the wheel to wobble (although it would have to be a large chunk of grit to be noticeable), or more likely, cause the disk to catch on the pads every half-revolution, so it vibrates.

[GreenV8S]

As others have said, the missing screw won't have any effect once the wheel is on, it just makes it easier to fit the wheel because it stops the disc wobbly all over the place. If you have a vibration problem, getting the wheels balanced would be the obvious first step.

[Tripps]

GreenV8S said:

If you have a vibration problem, getting the wheels balanced would be the obvious first step.

That's a good point thanks Peter, I swapped the wheels front to back yesterday and haven't driven it since, so will give it a drive to see if it feels any different now.

[Tripps]

Doh, still got the noise

Didn't get the chance to checks the brakes out fully as they were seized tight and it was damn cold, but I'm starting to suspect a bearing, as rotating the wheel when jacked up caused a metallic noise.

[steve_D]

Cold or not, do not be tempted to drive the car if you truly suspect a wheel bearing.
Very nasty things can happen if the bearing gives out.

Steve

[kenmorton]

Long shot and no offence intended but has the screw been sheared off in the hub and a bit been left sticking out and the disk been put back on 90 degrees out so the disk/wheel can't bolt up flush with the hub ?

[Tripps]

kenmorton said:

Long shot and no offence intended but has the screw been sheared off in the hub and a bit been left sticking out and the disk been put back on 90 degrees out so the disk/wheel can't bolt up flush with the hub ?

I don't think so, but hadn't looked into the hole deep enough to say if it had been sheared off below the head.

A lot of the braking system has been done sloppily, missing nipple caps, a replaced union that's leaking and a rear pad that's almost solid against the disc (and the disc almost ruined)

It is making me think that the front wheel issue might be brake related, as even using a crow-bar to move it there was give, just noise upon rotation, which as you say could be disc contact.

I'm hoping to get a retaining screw from the local VW breakers this week, so will see if that makes a difference.

All good fun though, relishing the chance to tackle it all myself

>> Edited by Tripps on Monday 13th March 07:03

[Pickled Piper]

you can buy the screws from GSF if you don't want to go to a dealer. They break very easily. The chances of you getting one that is intact from a breaker is slim.


pp