Another brake newb...but I searched

[Asimko]

Sorry to bother everyone but I have a few questions. I have an 06 A4 S-Line which I purchased 6 months ago. I called the stealership today when I got the brake light on the dash and they gave me an outrageous price to do the brakes. My questions are:

1. Does it seem too soon to be replacing the pads when the dealership said they were checked before they sold it to me? I have put 10K miles on it since I purchased 6 months ago and the dealership said that it was normal for new pads to be replaced in 10K?? Funny my VWs went a lot longer.

2. If I do it myself are there sensors on both front and rear brake pads? This will help me tell which ones I need to replace. Which usually goes first front or rear?

3. Should I go with Hawk Ceramic or HPS? I want less dust with a good life and hopefully no squealing.

4. I have a little lip on rotor, can I get away with not changing them?

Thanks in advance

[eMacPaul]

10K does seem pretty short, unless you ride the brake.

But maybe by "check" they just meant they checked to make sure it wasn't worn all the way down yet when you bought it.

[Asimko]

Her words were "I have seen new pads go in 10K and 40k it just depends".

[Slo.Mo.Shun.]

Do them some where else, I changed my pads at 30K, and I am the type of person that gets rotors out of shape and heat spotted.

[vtracer20]

that does sounds short for brakes...but also depends on your driving habbit. Go with HPS...i dont think you need ceramic unless you go tracking.

[supamannn99]

i replaced my stock ones with hawk ceramics for improved brake performance and reduced brake dust.

if you care about the life of your rotors, dont get HPS because they eat up your rotors as a trade-off for max braking performance. they sometimes squeal as well.

I like my ceramics.. they are quiet, grab better than stock pads, and have less dust.

if you do it yourself, there ARE sensors in the front. make sure you get the ones with sensors or else you'll get codes thrown at you.

changing stock pads every 10k is bs. your stealership is lying

[Bart-Man]

Does every B7 have sensors on the front.
Because I think my breaks are going but nothing is indicating on the display.

[p1nk50ck]

Does every B7 have sensors on the front.
Because I think my breaks are going but nothing is indicating on the display.

why do you think your brakes are going? did you inspect the pads? did you check your rotors?

just because they squeak doesn't mean that they're bad.

[Latin Audi]

^ When I changed mine, the sensor was was located approx. half an inch before the pads are spent, so you could keep going on them but the brake light beep could get annoying.

Sorry to bother everyone but I have a few questions. I have an 06 A4 S-Line which I purchased 6 months ago. I called the stealership today when I got the brake light on the dash and they gave me an outrageous price to do the brakes. My questions are:

1. Does it seem too soon to be replacing the pads when the dealership said they were checked before they sold it to me? I have put 10K miles on it since I purchased 6 months ago and the dealership said that it was normal for new pads to be replaced in 10K?? Funny my VWs went a lot longer.

2. If I do it myself are there sensors on both front and rear brake pads? This will help me tell which ones I need to replace. Which usually goes first front or rear?

3. Should I go with Hawk Ceramic or HPS? I want less dust with a good life and hopefully no squealing.

4. I have a little lip on rotor, can I get away with not changing them?

Thanks in advance

1. yes, this seems a bit early
2. I believe there are sensors on both, but Ive only changed the front on mine.
3. I went with some cheapos from local store
4. If you have a lip, go to autozone like place and they will first measure if they can be turned and if they can they are only ~ $15 each rotor to turn them.

[elwigglero]

They're easy to replace. It's a pad with a wire that connects to a plug. If your rotors have a large lip on them, it's prob time to either have them machined (eh) or get some performance rotors that are either drilled/slotted/dimpled (uh huh).

New rotors and a good set of ceramic pads are a nice upgrade.

[mdfast1]

Does every B7 have sensors on the front.
Because I think my breaks are going but nothing is indicating on the display.

My 2006 has sensors. It took until it got really worn down to go off and bother me every minute. Replaced mine (rotors/pads) at 45k miles. Got the GSG (ghost squad garage) rotors, we will see how they work out.

[Asimko]

Is there a dominate set of brakes? I know on my last VW the rears would go quicker. I have a quatro if it matters.

[Asimko]

Ok dealership is being a pain and giving me the run around so im doing the brakes myself. Can someone please tell me the tools I need so I make sure to get the right stuff. I know I need the special brake caliper tool, but what else?

[D-techniK]

my brakes went at 36k.

[Asimko]

Im only at 32 so they have to be the original brakes but any idea on what tools are needed???

[Kschroers1]

Im only at 32 so they have to be the original brakes but any idea on what tools are needed???

A lift, 17 mm socket to take off wheels, and i can't remember the size, but its like a 35mm torx socket for the caliper and i think somewhere between 19mm-22mm socket for the caliper brackets. Note: Never turn your rotors. An audi specialist at my dealership said to not turn them, it makes them weaker and won't keep to performance. Just scuff up the rotor's with sandpaper to make the bite aggressive quicker when you first put on the pads. I had an ordeal not long ago where my pads were squeeling constantly and im just under 10k miles on my car. I scuffed the rotors, and shaved the side of the pads to allow air to pass through and help with the brake dust. Since i've done that, i have yet to have a break squeek when im stopping.

[Asimko]

Thank you, as long as thats all that is needed I will have all the tools. I will also be replacing my rotors with the ECS drilled and slotted. Any one have any other recomendations for rotors?

[mdfast1]

Adams Rotors or GSG (ghost squad Garage). I just ordered a front set of GSG rotors so we will see how they work. I heard good things about both rotors though.

Check the group buy section.

[barkerd427]

I am at about 52k and my brakes are still looking quite good, but I think I will replace them anyway during christmas because I am tired of washing the car and having brake dust all over the front rims before the day is out. I don't even think I have to drive it to get them covered again. It is a pretty easy job, but the rears are harder because you need the caliper retractor tool. Your fronts should always wear out about twice as fast which is obvious if you think about it for a second. To clarify for those that are a bit dense. When you stop the weight goes forward and is primarily focused on the front tires. The back will actually lift a little if you stop hard and the front will dip. If your rear brakes are wearing out quicker then you probably have a sticky parking break or a stuck caliper that is holding the pads against the rotor at all times gradually wearing them down the entire time you are driving. Our cars have self-adjusting calipers so when you change your brakes you need to pump the brakes 5 to 10 times so they will set properly.