pac1085

It appears that my rear left brake is dragging. You cant notice it when you drive, but that wheel is WAY hotter than the rest of the wheels after a drive, and has many more times the dust as the others. It makes alot of noise when its cooling down too. So i'm assuming its dragging for some reason and wearing down way faster than it should be. I know on my last car, a saab there was an allen head on the caliper where you could adjust the distance from the pads to the rotor, but I dont know if thats the case with this car. Could it be that my hand brake is stuck some? If so...how can I adjsut it?


Thanks

rookie18

I have been dealing with this issue for the past 2 months on the same wheel as you. I have pulled the brakes apart 3 times now and I can't find any good reaon why it is sticking. I relubed the guide pins and cycled the piston a few times and I can determine what is wrong. I have stopped using my e-brake to see if that has a positive effect. Good luck and let me know if you figure it out. I have considered getting a new caliper but I hate to replace something without understanding why it isn't working.

ModifiedA4

maybe you have air in that caliper. try bleeding it.

rookie18

Good idea, I'll try that next.

ModifiedA4

most likely the fluid has over heated(boiled) from the dragging pads and needs to be replaced.

rookie18

Thanks for the help.

pac1085

Doesnt the hand brake control the rear left wheel? Maybe thats the problem? Not sure how I can adjust that...

Ray Calvo

Basically, extent the brake piston out as far as you can using worn out brake pads, then spray some brake cleaner on the extended piston sides. Wash/scrub the piston sides (a toothbrush soaked in brake cleaner helps). Then compress the piston into the caliper. With worn out pads in place, reinstall the caliper then pump the brakes (half strokes only!) til the piston is extended again. Remove the caliper, clean the piston again, and recompress it. Try this 2-3 times (PITA, I know). On the final installation, install fresh pads or at least ones with plenty of lining.

I haven't had a problem with the Audi, but it has cured piston hangup problems I've had on various Porsche 911s.

rookie18

The condition has improved but not gone away.

paul cormier

I had to replace the rear brakes around 50k miles due to the passenger side rear being so worn. I cleaned the piston quickly without going to too much trouble, and reinstalled new pads and rotors. The problem seems to have gone away.

I guess I'm lucky.