1.9 Gti Back End Stepping Out Under Braking

[Guest brodeh]

After a bit of advice please: under heavy braking my 1.9 gti’s back end steps out in either direction. I assume it’s locking up but I’m usually too busy trying not to crash to have noticed yet, this morning i ended up on the other side of the road slowing down for a junction :S

 

Have access to a local runway to test for locking up, which ill probably do tonight if I get time.

 

On the 1.9 I believe there are two non adjustable brake compensators, so unless there both broken as it will step out in either direction what else should I be looking for to rectify this.

 

Only had the car 3 days, and all our other 205’s have no compensator as the rear cylinders have the compensators built in so I’m not sure what I’m looking for.

 

Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

[TEKNOPUG 3]

Try driving along at about 20-30mph in a straight line and then pulling the handbrake - that will show any inbalance in the rear brakes.

 

Then get the car up on stands and check the rear brakes for stuck calipers, worn and uneven discs/pads and anything else that looks wrong. It could well be the compensators if it's only happening under heavy front braking. They aren't cheap as I've just replaced my pair.

[hengti 2]

i'd go with compensators too

 

used to really enjoy trail braking (which is easy with knackered compensators!) - had to replace mine for the MoT though - doesn't do it as freely anymore

 

if it is the compensators, best to budget on replacing all of the rear copper pipes too - they're likely seized in there

[Guest brodeh]

Ahh, im lucky in the fact I have all the tools and spare male and female ends to make my own brake lines, so that'll cost nothing. Pages cant get me the compensators though, which means i cant get trade prices

 

I do however have access to a mot test station brake rolling road, so i gonna pop there after work. With the compensators having no moving parts, is there such thing as a figure for a factor of reduction compared to the front brakes that rear discs shold operate at?

 

How much did your compensators set you back, if you dont mind me asking?

[TEKNOPUG 3]

£73+vat for the pair.

[Emmy Seize 8]

Compensators, as usual.

You might want to replace the compentsators with a brake bias valve, which is what I did as the front setup was changed to bigger GTI6 items.

Depending on the type of valve this could be cheaper as well.

[205mattgti 0]

Would it be easier and cheaper to fit a Biast control valve instead of the compensators

 

(excuse the spelling)

 

lol

[nick 3]

Looking at it from a different angle, are you sure it's not a weak front brake?

 

This would give the same symptoms as an overpowered rear.

 

Nick

[C_W 3 1 Cars]

It seems coincidental that both compesators are gone. Usually you get just one and it makes for inbalanced braking (ie diving to one side all the time under heavy braking).

[Emmy Seize 8]

Have you checked the rear beam ?

 

A badly worn one could produce similar symptoms, allthough you would have probably noticed in other driving situation (e.g. while cornering) already.