So That's What The Bang Was.

[Longboarder]

Pulling up to traffic lights there was a load bang followed by much grinding and graunching noises. Bell on the front left disc has self destructed. My daily driver polo.

 

Nigel

[Guest Ian & Carole]

Wow!!

 

In all my years in the motor trade and competition I have never seen a disc do that.

 

No other damage Nigel?

 

Good job it didn't happen at speed.

[Guest peter2b2002]

as ian said lucky you weren't going fast

peter2b

[Grim]

wow, impressive! Any clues as to what caused it? stuck caliper sliders giving a side-load on the disc?

[fry61]

Had a lump come out of a hire car disc several years ago, mentioned to the garage that the brakes felt a little "lumpy" but thought maybe due to car not being used for a while. Matters didn't improve on second day so returned car, they immediately inspected & showed the disc with a piece missing almost same size as pad. Luckily I have always used engine braking to slow the car, brakes not required 'til last few mph needs loosing.

[cb750]

Lucky, glad you are okay.

[Guest Gargoil]

Strange, your Polo looks like it's creating it's own little polos.

Glad it happened at slow speeds.

[MarkBzero]

Shocking, rust would indicate crack has been there for a while and the disc have discoloured from heat. Could be manufacturing defect!

[Landie71]

Blimey, bet that got the adrenaline going!

[Longboarder]

To the naked eye most of the break is not rusty but some is. The crack has been there for some time. There is also a crack in the wheel/hub surface of the bell shown in the pic from 9 o'clock through 6 to 3o'clock. I have just completed this crack with the vice and a hammer and lo and behold it is also part rusty so not a new crack. Stranger and stranger. Outlined the margins roughly with white line.

 

Nigel

Edited July 9, 2015 by Longboarder

[HAWKNORTH]

I had a Vauxhall Belmont many years ago and the same thing happened. The car had stood for a couple of weeks and the caliper had seized. Luckily it was while reversing up the drive.

[Guest 2b cruising]

Did you fit them new or do you know there full history.

Has the wheel had a side on bump some time.

Red hot discs being used through cold water puddle.

 

I have seen the bell braking faces brake up before but never one like this.

Edited July 10, 2015 by 2b cruising

[sj-bradley]

Reminds me of the "Wheel tappers and shunters" TV program.

 

This was based on the job of wheel tappers. If you tap the discs, they should ring like a bell. A cracked one will sound dull and very different.

 

(guess everyone will be tapping their discs now ... )

 

Simon.

[Longboarder]

This is from my spare SDI polo. Sad. I have two. It is driven round plymouth, seldom gets above 40mph. I drive like your granny. Had the car 3 years, discs are older than that. Never kerbed by me. Dry day and I doubt the discs ever get more than warm.

 

Nigel

[Dave R]

showing your age now simon