Scirocco Central

Hi all,

When I reverse after a period of parking (handbrake pulled), I hear a big thump from the rear breaks. I don't feel any resistance reversing or anything. Just when I brake to come to a full stop before I move forward in 1st gear, the rear brakes literally make a "POP!" noise ..

Anyone experience this? What's the culprit? I'm going crazy, I checked the brakes over and over again. VW dealer didn't find anything wrong while the car did not show the symptoms when I was there only to start again when i got home.

Really weird. Is it maybe something to do with the hill-hold feature? Afaik, it takes a second or two for the brakes to fully "release", and if you reverse, there will be a noise, but unsure about the "pop" - I would pester the agent to check again and try and replicate the problem.

has it just happened the once when moving off?
its probably just the brake releasing after sticking on abit while its been left.
I've had that with cars that have been sat longer than usual or when they are moved after being jacked up with the handbrake on or when they have been washed & left

actually, I exactly know what you're talking about ... the "hill hold" feature with DSG. But unfortunately, it's not that.

It's when I am already reversing and brake that I hear a loud pop.. as if the caliper piston was stuck and releases itself and hit the brake pad backing plate. Sometimes it is so loud, it sounds like I hit someone while reversing (and causes major panic on my end, of course).

When I first start reversing ,the car is 100% free.. meaning I don't feel any brake pressure slowing the car down when reversing. When I want to come to a full stop, I touch the brake pedal and hear POP!!!

Not had it happen to me. Could perhaps be the bolts holding the caliper loose or pads moving about in the caliper? Does it happen the first time you brake going forwards after reversing?

it happens when I first apply the brakes while reversing gently, after being parked. Most of the time, both sides! (rears)

It is natural, it happens to both my family's mk5 Golfs. The brake pads have some slack and move inside the caliper. So, as you brake while moving in reverse, the pads move to the "upper" side of the caliper, because the disc applies friction to the opposite-than-usual direction. I don't know if there is another solution (bending clips etc) but replacing them will solve the problem.