[All Models] Grinding when i brake at high speeds?

[Bradztheman]

I can hear my brakes making a grinding sound at speeds above 40mph but not really at any slower speeds, does this mean i need new pads???

[GRAHAM.C]

Any one's guess really,I would get the wheels off and have a look.If the pads are out i'm surprised you cant hear anything at lower speeds.

[Bradztheman]

Thats why i ask, seems strange, also have another issue i dont know if its linked, but when i reverse i can hear a loud high pitched squeeking...

[Taurus]

Both a likely to be pad/disc issues - at higher speeds the pads make more contact simply because you press the brakes harder, as the discs wear you get a ridge which can contact at higher speeds but not at low speeds.

[Bradztheman]

[Bradztheman]

Not to mention i have the spanner warning symbol now, any link?

[Taurus]

When did you last have it serviced?

The squeak on reverse I covered in your other thread - but it's probably just a case of inspecting the discs and pads.

[Bradztheman]

It is due a service, last one was 20,000 ago.

the squeeking, how come it only squeeks when i reverse, and not when i move forward though?

[Taurus]

It can squeak in reverse simply due to the way the pads and the disc are moving in relation to each other. It's nothing to worry about - they do things like that. One of ours always makes slight disc/pad noise on hard right turns but nothing else, it's just a characteristic of the car.

I'd give it a thorough service - it's way due.

[Bradztheman]

ThNks, what does that symbol on the dash mean? Is it related to needing to look at the brakes/discs?

the engine symbol also comes up now and then

[Bradztheman]

This light is on now INSTEAD OF THE OTHER ONE! What does they mean if they bpth keep coming on is it related to the discs problem?

[Taurus]

That's the engine management light. You'd need to read the codes to know why it's on, but to be frank leaving servicing for 20k could cause problems. Just as an example, if you've got dirty filters and the spark plugs are past their best then you'll get unburnt fuel entering the exhaust, if the exhaust gases are out of parameter the Lambda system will try to compensate, which makes the car run worse.

I know the manufacturers quote 20k service schedules, but that's a sales gimmick which is one reason why so many Corsas come back to Vauxhall with problems. (And why they are going to scrap the lifetime warranty - it's costing them too much in repairs through people sticking to 20k servicing and then finding engines break.)

Realistically, 20k only works for cars that do high mileage and spend all day on the motorway, and even then the oil should be changed every 10k. For most drivers, doing round town journeys, which causes the oil to get contaminated with fuel and water, and causes more wear on brakes etc, you really need to service every 10k with an oil change every 5k. People will tell you 5k oil changes are old fashioned - but it keeps fresh detergents in the oil so the engine stays clean. Engines with frequent oil changes tend to run to galactic mileges with no problems.

[Bradztheman]

Great advice thank you :-)

just what i need to know, good advice as im not familiar with cars :-/