Volkswagen Repair: Front Left Brakes Rattle when coming to a stop., tension springs, necessary pressure
Question--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've searched the forums and can't find anything like my symptoms. I own/love a 2002 Passat Wagon 1.8T GLS. I just had the brakes done and as I come to a stop (about 2-4mph) the left front brakes vibrate as if a tightly coiled spring just unwound and then the vehicle comes to a stop. The ABS light and Traction control light both come on. If I pump the brakes as I come to a stop the vibration doesn't happen. All the other brakes are fine. The person that did my brakes can't figure out what the problem is. Any assistance would be highly appreciated.
AnswerThere are, as I recall 2 types of calipers in the passat, and it is possible that the type you have requires a spring to maintain pressure on the outside pad. If you have a flashlight, and can look into the spokes on your wheels, the right front will have the spring installed between 2 holes machined into the outside of the caliper, and my guess is that if the spring on the left was installed, it wasn't deeply placed enough to maintain the necessary pressure, and has since been ejected on to the road someplace. The tension springs are available and require the removal of the wheel, and tire, and once installed, the vibration will cease.
