Front wheel sticking once per rotation

[TeddyRuxpin]

Hi all,

Recently done a lot of work on the car:

- Gearbox service & visit to BFG (formerly BFT) in Stokesley
- New rear ARB drop links
- All front control arms (both sets) and ball joints replaced
- Front tie rod ends
- 4 wheel hunter alignment done
- Brake fluid flush & MOT (no advisories) @ MB specialist/indie

All parts were Lemforder. I also put on my 17” winter wheels/tyres. They had no issues with balancing before the suspension change, nor did my 18” OEM wheels.

My problem is that the front right wheel/disc does not spin freely when lifted off the ground - it ‘catches’ at a certain point, and then is easier to rotate for half the turn.

I know the ‘obvious’ thing is that the discs are ‘warped’ but my understanding is that this is very rare.

If the calliper were completely seized I’d expect it to stick the entire way around and for the disc and wheels to get abnormally hot.

I’m thinking that it would be the calliper slide pins. Would this cause this wonky kind of ‘sticking point’?

If not, what’s a common/likely cause of a wheel sticking at a certain point?

I did also notice that the nipple on that side (drivers side) was completely dry after the brake bleeding, but could be nothing.

I took both callipers off when I did the suspension arms, and even removed one of the slide pins briefly, so I’m wondering if the calliper just needs a bit of grease or ‘servicing’, or cleaning

Real world issues are very subtle - a very slight judder in the steering wheel at 65+mph and a very very quiet ‘whoosh’ of the sticky point as the wheel the wheel spins once per rotation at slow speeds.

I am away at the moment so can’t take the car to a garage or look at it myself but thought I’d ask what some likely issues could be as I’ve spent so much time and money on the car I’d like to get it perfect.

Cheers

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Oh and I’ve checked the plate behind the disk but will do again to be 200% sure, when I’m back.

I’ve also done multiple hard stops, but I don’t think that’s the answer.

 

[keith of kent]

I have experienced rust on the mating surfaces of the disc/hub. My wife had a Peugeot which had regular front brake judder, the dealer would replace the discs only for the problem to recur. It then went to a different dealer who cleaned the hub surfaces before the new disc were fitted and the problem never returned.
Obviously a dial gauge would be the correct thing to check both inner and outer disc surfaces under rotation, but I'm sure you could codge something together to check for high spots, you're not trying to measure it after all

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Thanks for the info! Just a note that I should have mentioned (I was trying to keep it short) - I actually don’t have any judder when actually braking. The light vibration I have at motorway speeds is only felt through the steering wheel and is minor enough that some might not notice it. Same with the sound while driving slowly - it’s only due to my ocd level of analysis that I noticed it, plus contrast to driving the car before I did all the work.

I would assume it was the wheel balancing if I hadn’t noticed the one-per-rotation rubbing when jacked up.

But yes rust or dirt could be the issue, I’m actually so annoyed that I’m away and can’t get the issue resolved asap!!

P.S. wheel bearing is fine, no movement side to side when shaking the wheel.