Squealing brakes...
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Your mom.
Squealing brakes...
I installed the PBR ceramic brake pads about... 5 months ago. The car was in the body shop for almost 3 of those months. They probably have less than 5K miles on them.
They've always been a little squeaky, once in a while, but now they squeal loudly every time I touch the brakes. I checked the rotors, and there's no scoring happening...
Is this normal for these brakes? Since the car was idle for so long, is it possible for the pads to go bad in some way? The braking power of the car really hasn't suffered (I haven't noticed, anyway)...
They've always been a little squeaky, once in a while, but now they squeal loudly every time I touch the brakes. I checked the rotors, and there's no scoring happening...
Is this normal for these brakes? Since the car was idle for so long, is it possible for the pads to go bad in some way? The braking power of the car really hasn't suffered (I haven't noticed, anyway)...
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,771
Likes: 0
Need to rebed your pads..........
This is what I do for normal pads and cannot be absolutely sure for ceramic type brake pads.
Without stopping, do 5 cycles of 10-60-10, without invoking ABS, and repeat 5 times, then do 2 cycles of 10-80-10 and then continue driving so your rotors, fluid, and pads can cool town. Again, you do not want to come to a stop because you will then deposit brake material on the rotors and could cause vibration issues.
If possible when you finally park the car, do not set the parking brake. You want to keep the pads off the rotors.
A few things you will notice is possibly the smell of brakes, or a reduced level of braking initially. Both of these are normal, but you should expect better braking and quiteness after everything cools.
Again, this is what I do for normal pads and cannot be absolutely sure for ceramic type brake pads.
Without stopping, do 5 cycles of 10-60-10, without invoking ABS, and repeat 5 times, then do 2 cycles of 10-80-10 and then continue driving so your rotors, fluid, and pads can cool town. Again, you do not want to come to a stop because you will then deposit brake material on the rotors and could cause vibration issues.
If possible when you finally park the car, do not set the parking brake. You want to keep the pads off the rotors.
A few things you will notice is possibly the smell of brakes, or a reduced level of braking initially. Both of these are normal, but you should expect better braking and quiteness after everything cools.
Again, this is what I do for normal pads and cannot be absolutely sure for ceramic type brake pads.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 1
ceramic pads squeak. get OEM Textar pads, clean everything, and install them PROPERLY>>
being sure to peel back the adhesive covering so as to stick them to the caliper. I have never had a problem with the OEM pads.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,112
Likes: 1
ditto, OEM pads are really pretty good
I've got low dust pads in the rear calipers and high dust (AXIS something or other) in the Stoptechs and the low dust squeak pretty badly. Not worth the tradeoff IMO.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
Re: Emphasis on "Install them Properly".....>>
True, I expect. The Audi dealer in Oakland has mini brochures printed by Audi about things like Summer tires, brakes, etc.
My 2002 TT did have a little bit of brake squeal. When I complained about it, the service manager took me for a ride and pronounced the amount of squeal to be normal. I was given one of the Audi brochures (which I may still have in the 2002 TT folder) and went on my way, thinking from the literature that some squeal at some times is normal for Audi brakes. So, I assume some squeek or squeal must be considered by Audi to be normal for OEM pads, otherwise why would they have printed the brochure about brake noise...
My 2002 TT did have a little bit of brake squeal. When I complained about it, the service manager took me for a ride and pronounced the amount of squeal to be normal. I was given one of the Audi brochures (which I may still have in the 2002 TT folder) and went on my way, thinking from the literature that some squeal at some times is normal for Audi brakes. So, I assume some squeek or squeal must be considered by Audi to be normal for OEM pads, otherwise why would they have printed the brochure about brake noise...
Trending Topics
AudiWorld Uber User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 53,281
Likes: 2
Ha ha.....>
They printed the brochure so they wouldn't have to deal with complaining customers...:-)
They also have a technical service bulletin on what to do with squealers.....Who do you believe....Sales or service??......
They also have a technical service bulletin on what to do with squealers.....Who do you believe....Sales or service??......
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production
Joe Kucinski
2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!
Michael S. Palmer
Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!
Verdad Gallardo
The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
Re: Ha ha.....>
The service manager is the one who took me for the ride and gave me the brochure. The brochures are kept in service, not sales.
So, I bought the B.S. Well, my 2004 TT brakes are quiet, so they must have been installed correctly at the factory...;-)
So, I bought the B.S. Well, my 2004 TT brakes are quiet, so they must have been installed correctly at the factory...;-)