Hi AULRO D3/4 Forum members,

I am hoping someone might have an insight into an unusual problem I have with my 2009 D3 Petrol. When driving on sand tracks in off road height mode, any braking more than a gentle push elicits a serious metallic noise from right front brakes and vigorous 'push back' type brake pedal feedback. Gentle depressing of brake pedal avoids the issue, but pushing further it gets worse. DSC is off, sand mode on. Last time on Fraser Island we nursed it through the trip driving like granny due to avoidance of getting on the picks too hard. Track conditions, washouts and cowboys whipping along the other way meant there was of course a few times that called for greater application of the brakes, which elicited passengers wincing at the noise. Beach driving soft or hard in normal height mode and DSC off shows no problems. The problem is completely absent on bitumen or gravel, pretty much when not in off road height mode and driving on sand tracks.

Various maintenance done on the vehicle prior to that trip included: new rotors/brake pads, and new lower control arm assembly's being fitted (different visits). Again no issues after either of those bits of work in normal driving modes.

Anyone else heard of this type of issue? I need to take it to a service place but since it wont replicate outside of a sand track in off road height mode it may be hard to convince them a problem exists. Hoping to head to Stradbroke soon and figured it was worth troubleshooting it to stay out of trouble.

Thanks for your wisdom!

Cheers

Shane