I've got a VW Polo 1.4, 2001 reg. I bought it on the grounds that the garage changed the brakes, they "did" and then I got a strange noise and a pull when braking so took it in to my usual family mechanic. The brakes the garage had put on where actually old stock and my mechanic swapped them for brand new ones. I am now getting a metal on metal sound when I brake sometimes and have only had the new brakes about 2/3 weeks. Is it possible my car is the fault rather the brakes?

And before anyone says, the family mechanic has serviced all our families cars since before I was even born so isn't pulling a fast one and putting rubbish parts on my car. If anything he's put better then standard.

Would it not make sense to go back to the man you trust?

I will have to but don't have the time so just wondering if anybody can come up with anything in the mean time.

If they replaced the front pads are the discs in good condition. They could have a build up of rust on them, also has anyone checked the rears too.

Yeah check discs they could be badly scored and may need replacing.

Brand new discs on the front, still shiny at the minute with the new wear and tear but nothing out of the ordinary and the back brakes are drums although the sound sounds like it's from the rear passengers side. The car stops with no problems, it's just the sound I'm worried about.

How long have you had the noise for? They may need to bed in.

If noise is from the rear and shoes are in good condition, try a new fitting kit, weak springs can cause shoes to shift about.

I have read this thread with interest and find that you are worried about NOISE when you apply your brakes understandably but various members have submitted advice which you have asked for but then you state when its suggested that you return it " Would it not make sense to go back to the man you trust?" and your reply was " I will have to but don't have the time " Do I summise from all this you are still using the vehicle surely you would make time over something that is so important. If this was my problem and " I didn't have time " I would make arrangements for the vehicle to be either left outside your mechanics or collected by YOUR family mechanic to get them sorted as soon as possible and not use the vehicle. Too many accidents result occur to problem or defective brakes.

Spot on there Red, I made the suggestion to take it back and was surprised at the response.Horses and water sprang to mind. As you rightly say efficient brakes are absolutely vital.As we all know a noise from a car is nigh on impossible to diagnose remotely without hearing it and feeling any effect that it has.

I've had the noise for about 2 weeks now and when I say I haven't got the time, it's not that I can't be bothered, I just don't have the time. I need my car pretty much everyday and have no one else to rely on. Like I've said, I've the brakes changed once already, the car stops fine and I check the brake fluid and test the brakes every morning. It is just the noise I'm wondering about and wondered if anyone could give me any other ideas of what it could be.

I'm not the usual woman driver, I know what a car should sound and drive like, Hence the reason a couple months ago I took the car straight the mechanics from work because my cam belt was not far off snapping. The noise sounds literally like metal on metal as though my brake pad aren't there but they are so wonder if it's something else that sounds like brakes.

metal on metal creates heat , heat creates fire

That noise could even be suspension, you really should get it checked sooner rather than later. Would your family mechanic not let you leave the car at his premises while you get around by public transport.

I just wanted other possibilities until I got the chance to take it in. Public transport is not an option for me, would involve at least 2 trains, a bus and a taxi hence the reason I need the car. I've managed to rearrange this week so I have Friday free so have taken the day off to take the car in.

Tell you what though my 96 reg Polo never had as many problems as this one, just didn't have power steering. Would probably be cheaper to install power steering in the old car the way things are going.

Hey guys. I'm Sponge'sGirl's other half

In the car, the brakes are operating as normal. There is absolutely no shuddering or fading of the brakes and both sides of the discs are perfectly fine. There is no evidence of scoring on the discs (inside and out)

Pads themselves have PLENTY of material left on them (So they should from being replaced a month ago!) so it's definitely not them. I also mentioned to the other half to wait for a while just to see if it's the pads wearing into the discs. Needless to say the noise hasn't disappeared.

The noise itself sounds like rubber rubbing on another surface. Only when the morning/evening is really cold does it sound like metal on metal. I've checked the car while rolling down a hill (Not me, the car!) and the noise sounds like it is coming from the drivers front area. However, inside it sounds like passenger's rear?!

While the brakes are not applied, there is no abnormal noises whatsoever, so luckily the brakes aren't binding. The only logical explanation I could think of was that a piston had seized and was pushing the pads into the disc at a funny angle. Everything else seems sound. Brake fluid has recently been changed (Still clear, so not been subjected to high heat)

Let's hope you get it sorted very soon and do please tell us what it was. Good luck and happy motoring.

Problem solved there was rust that had set in so fully lubricated brakes ect for free. Told you the brakes worked fine, I do hate this wet, cold weather feel sorry for all the rust ridden cars out there.

Glad to hear you are sorted and free sounds good to me.