theanimala

My 2005 A8L with 75K miles started making a squeeling sound when breaking. It is not very loud, but it is audible. I had a local (non audi) mechanic look at it and he said the rears are ready now, the fronts are very low and need it in the next few thousand miles. He does not have the tools to do the rear brakes so he kindly sent me on my way and told me I should contact an Audi dealer or indi.

I called a local indi dealer and he said the noise is normal, and most likely if there is no light on the dash then nothing needs to be done. Does this sound correct? If I wait to I risk messing up the rotors or if I do it now am I just wasting money?

FYI, car was a CPO with 39K miles when purchased so I assume brakes were last done then.

mishar

Wait for the light. Even if something is wrong and it won’t come on, you will hear a lot lauder sound when metal part of pads first touch rotors and it will not make any damage right away.
On the other hand, rotors are not that expensive and should be changed every second pad change. That might be your case.

Pete@ECSTuning

Change the front pads when the light in the dash comes on.

If you don't feel like spending the money on replacement rotors definitely have your old ones turned.

We have a wide selection of OEM and performance pads available below.

Click HERE to order or for more information.


Let me know if you have any questions.

Pete

Brozee

I am in the exact same scenario as you. Last time I went to the dealer and indy they told me the rear ones were within 3mm and needed to be replaced and the fronts were getting low as well. I replaced the rear rotors and brake pads with audi rotor and pads, been 3-4k now and the front pads still aren't on. On occasion I'll hear a squeall or squeak come from the front, but I just ignore it as when I do a visual inspection the front pads don't look extremely low.

theanimala

Brozee, so you changed before the light came on?

MP4.2+6.0

the sensor is positioned in the pad to give you some life still left after it (intentionally) shorts and turn the light on. Typically at least weeks, not just days. The pads are sensored at both front calipers, so unless the opposite pad in the same caliper wears oddly, the sensor system should be reliable.

The rears read directly off the parking brake stepper motor, so as long as the system was calibrated correctly with a pad change (which a dealer would know), it is pretty foolproof too.

Brozee

I replaced the rear pads which have no sensors, I still have yet to replace the fronts, even though they squeak a little bit every once in a while. No warning light yet.