wierd braking in snow

[Nerih 0]

okay, yesterday the areas near my house were covered in a thick layer of snow/ice. I was quite sure to be light with my braking but even then i managed to get the abs working, but it felt like no ABS ive ever felt, it felt like and sounded like a grinding sound coming through the pedal, yes the car did stop without the brakes freezing up, buti thought abs was supposed to pump the brakes not grind my foot to dust lol.

this doesnt happen when im driving normaly....any help much appreciated becuase the car is goin in for a new radiator on monday.

[badboyV6 4]

I used to get this when braking on a cattle grid on the way to work.... Thought it was normal....

[binliner 0]

yeah thats normal mine did it in the snow as well

[acf8181 0]

yep, its the abs working over time to compensate for the snow.

warning, be very very careful in an abs car in snow, as it can overreact and actually back ALL your braking pressure off....i've had it happen (admittadely not in a vr6, which is a very good system)

nothing beats manual brakes and steering (most noticeable conditions for loss of feel in pas) in the snow.

[jonvr6highline 0]

Yeah mine does that too.

When you are not expecting it, the brakes sort of judder! 8)

[Eat this 2]

warning, be very very careful in an abs car in snow, as it can overreact and actually back ALL your braking pressure off....i've had it happen (admittadely not in a vr6, which is a very good system)

it wouldnt happen to be a punto would it

i really like the brakes on the vr the abs isnt to intrusive and it stops well when u stomp on them

[badboyV6 4]

Yeah they are good brakes- antonye else got drilled and grooved all round? Mine seem to drone like fook when doing a heavy stop- no vibration or anything (mind you it stops quick!) :-)

[Nerih 0]

yeah it was just a bit wierd to get this weird pedal feel whilst i was braking, it almost felt dead, although the car did stop...albiet taking a slightly longer distance...

i ended up using engine braking....(1st gear lol)

anyone have any tips for snow driving in the vr?

its the first car ive owned with abs.

[acf8181 0]

yeah....use the handbrake instead! lol

this is only what i would consider doing, do it at your own risk....but i'd prob pull out the abs fuse. but then again i have another car without abs so dont need to. best to try the brakes out at low speed first to see if it locks front first (if it locks rears first you cant do it, you'll have to leave the fuse in).

and yes, eat this....it was the punto! lol they only have one abs sensor for the rear axle which is where the problem may have come from....but then again polos are the same and the abs works well.

[VRmonster 1]

im ok, my 2 abs sensors have gone on the front, lol so no abs judder for me. ha ha.

[Nerih 0]

lol, how many sensors does the vrswix have.

[acf8181 0]

the vr6 has one per wheel....so whats known as a 4 channel system.

it is possible to get cars with 2 channels systems....either one sensor for each axle, or only sensors on the front wheels. these are rare now though i think, and were very ineffective.

my punto had a 3 channel system, so had one sensor for the rear axle, where as front had one on each wheel....its still a poor solution and more dangerous than manual brakes IMO. i was very unhappy that when i pulled the fuse out it had rediculous rear bias...was just no way you could safely use it in everyday use. i did do a test on a disused industrial estate though (runs with fuse in, then runs without fuse in), and upto 50mph i could beat the abs by over a car length....i did however get very sideways. after that car i decided i didn't want abs ever again, however relented with the vr6 and am happy to say the system is streets ahead of the punto's, which is shocking when you consider the punto was designed almost ten years later than the golf (was a new shape punto).

[Nerih 0]

so the vr6 has a very good braking system, what would you uprgrade if you had standard brakes?

[DundeeDub 0]

the flexi hoses, makes a big difference in the feel and doesn't cost that much, maybe also change the brake fluid to something better

[badboyV6 4]

288mm discs (or bigger) if you havent already got them ;-)

[stuey 0]

I'm glad i read this, my car felt very strange under braking last night, was wet and slippy with no snow. It felt and sounded like one side was almost grinding, and heavy vibration through the pedal. I drove around for 10 mins trying to lock the fronts up to see if it kept happening. I was getting a bit worried, the discs and pads are in good nick. I have just replaced all my suspension bumpstops, i was thinking something was falling off for a mo.

[acf8181 0]

oops, i mis informed everyone....vr6 is actually a 3 channel abs system. still works well though!

yeah, if you have a obd1 early pre '96 vr6 you'll prob only have 280mm front discs, and upgarde to later 288mm is a good way to improve it (you'd need discs, pads, calipers, carriers, flexi hoses).

a lot of people say goodridge braided flexi hoses are really good....i've yet to try a set.

another thing would be to check your discs are in good condition. theres nothing like a set of brand new discs and pads all round, and a change of fluid, to make brakes feel great...i wouldn't bother with any of the driled/grooved crap (whats the point on a road car, they don't need it), i'd just get o.e. genuine vw ones.