[musicrab]

Hi - a strange issue; when braking from 40/50mph over minor road hollows results in a brief (1/2 second?) feeling that the front wheels have detached from the road; a very strange floating feeling - quite brief but when happened first time is was quite disconcerting.
Anybody else experienced this?

[Phil №❶]

Probably need more info, but check the obvious things like,

Tyre tread wear.
Road conditions.
Ambient temp.
All roads or only some.
Break wear.
Dry or wet.

To determine if it's the car or other conditions, some research will be necessary, to rule out non vehicle contributors.

[eye30]

May be the abs activating as i have felt similar on uneven roads

[musicrab]

Tyre tread wear.
Road conditions.
Ambient temp.
All roads or only some.
Break wear.
Dry or wet.

Tread wear is good, dry, temp (varies between 5C and 20C), only uneven humps/bumps, break wear unknown (14K miles).  eye30 suggests ABS activating which I think is true, although only for a very short period.

[eye30]

Tyre tread wear.
Road conditions.
Ambient temp.
All roads or only some.
Break wear.
Dry or wet.

Tread wear is good, dry, temp (varies between 5C and 20C), only uneven humps/bumps, break wear unknown (14K miles).  eye30 suggests ABS activating which I think is true, although only for a very short period.

Feeling the pulse to the brakes which are similar to that described

[Johnno]

 I get a similar feeling when just driving on poorly maintained roads, skating over bumps in the road, you get a slight left right movement feeling.

[Phil №❶]

Can't say I've ever experienced this sensation.
Especially on a dry road without snow ice or any other debris.
The ABS should only be felt when the device senses a wheel about to lock, or the ESP detects an irregular condition, so are you braking or steering aggressively. 

[musicrab]

Can't say I've ever experienced this sensation.
Especially on a dry road without snow ice or any other debris.
The ABS should only be felt when the device senses a wheel about to lock, or the ESP detects an irregular condition, so are you braking or steering aggressively. 

(locally where this issue happens) Slowing down from 40/50 in preparation for a sharp left-hand bend there are a couple of bumps/uneven tarmac surface and, yes, I may be breaking fairly firmly.

[Phil №❶]

Sounds like the ESP taking care of the rear end for you and keeping you safe. 

[Lorian]

I've been known to drive pretty quickly on twisty country roads, and in 5 years of ownership I only recall ESP intervene twice, on both occasions I'd probably have been in the hedge without it, and its not what I'd call a floaty experience. I don't think the OP describes a regular ABS experience either. I can hear/feel the ABS pump, even f I don't notice the light flashing, and its more of a shuddery crunchy feeling.

I'd be checking the front suspension I think.

[tohis]

I've been known to drive pretty quickly on twisty country roads, and in 5 years of ownership I only recall ESP intervene twice, on both occasions I'd probably have been in the hedge without it, and its not what I'd call a floaty experience. I don't think the OP describes a regular ABS experience either. I can hear/feel the ABS pump, even f I don't notice the light flashing, and its more of a shuddery crunchy feeling.

 

I have never seen the ESP come alive in my i30, not even in our slippery winter conditions (except when I did some handbrake turns deliberately). Some cars are very keen to activate ESP for the slightest abnormal movement, but I can say the i30 is not one of them; it must be in the midst of serious spin before ESP will activate.

[Phil №❶]