Adax

For the last 4K miles my RF brake has made a grinding noise under light pedal pressure at low speeds (when slowly stopping). I've had the pads, rotors, and wheel bearings replaced, but it persists. The dealer and regional rep or whatever now say that it is normal and all S4's make this noise due to the "high-performance brakes". There is no way anyone could tolerate this noise, especially in a $50K plus car.

Does anyone else have this noise? It's not typical pad squeal, it's a grinding noise.

Can someone tell me whom to contact at AOA about getting this resolved? I can legally lemon it at this point but would prefer not to.

Thanks

MachtigAvant (v3.0)

Due to the semi-metallic compound in our brakes, they are more susceptible to the grinding noise then say, asbestos-based pads.

Especially if you have any rust on the brakes, they will grind. Normal, sure. But you really shouldn't hear it inside the car with the windows up. Sorry to hear about that.

kneedeeprough

My brakes are very quiet. I've certainly heard no grinding, and they are quieter than my previous car, a Jag x-Type, which had less aggressive pad compounds, I'm sure.

S4_Cinci (I S'edTFA)

then it's "normal" - meaning there is no problem with brake function. My B5 S4 does the same thing. You may have to go to a softer aftermarket pad to eliminate the noise. My rule of thumb is that if the noise goes away under aggressive braking, there is no problem with the brake function; but if the noise gets worse with increased brake pressure, then get them checked out for a malfunction. Higher performance brakes almost always make more noise than "luxury" car brakes. Regardless of the $, the S4 is essentially designed to be a performance car with amenities, rather than a fast luxury car, IMO. Sorry to hear about your frustration and problems.

Adax

This noise is loud! You can hear it in the car with the windows up, you can feel it through the steering wheel, and passers-by ask me what's wrong with my car.

I'm familiar with hi-perf pad noise, I've got track-only pads for my other car. This is something else.

©odeWhore

Since S4 calipers are single-pison sliding design, I would guess it is possible that one of the guides is binding up, resulting in uneven pressure distribution on the pads and allowing them to vibrate - although, like yourself, I wouldn't expect this problem on a 1/2 year-old $50K car.

My 240SX (same caliper design) did this "growl" fairly often with Axis MetalMaster pads (which also weren't worn evenly - they were badly "tapered" when I replaced them), but I haven't noticed it after I thoroughly cleaned and lubed the calipers and switched to Porterfield pads.

BTW, let me know if you're up for a happy hour sometime next week after work...

Adax

I've asked them to but they said it's fine. We've got out-of -town guests most of next week which I'll probably be entertaining. I'm not doing much of anything this weekend though, are you in town?

Alan

©odeWhore

Yeah, I'll be here. I'm up for Sunday evening...