Q: ECS Tuning - A8 TT - Big Brake Noise

[ricekikr]

Is it normal for Slotted rotors + Hawk HPS to make a grinding/humming noise when braking hard.

I just installed A8 Schwaben slotted rotors + TT carriers + Hawk HPS

http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_A4-...rake_OEM/ES90/

When I test drove it made a noticeable sound when braking from low speed (around 25mph). I then rechecked everything, everything was tight. Then did the Hawk break-in method. Now it only makes noise when braking hard from higher speed (around 45mph).

Is it normal for slotted brakes to make this noise. It almost sounds like grinding with a beat.

EDIT: Is there a Left and Right rotor? I didn't see any markings, so I installed them with the slots going rearward @12o'clock. The vents are straight.

[somebody5788]

I have just drilled zimmerman A8 rotors on mine and for the first 50 miles they made some noise and felt weird. Slotted is likely to make some other noises. Did you break them in at all? You need to do at least 3 60mph stops pushing the grip of your car, I hope you have ABS =P give them about a mile to cool off between stops. You WILL smell the brakes, this is totally normal

Being that mine are just drilled I'm not sure that it is going to be the same but mine dont make any noise now. Feels great though! No pedal pulsation, no noise, firm pedal, no fading, no problem stopping, look cool as hell, and they don't bite too hard the moment you hit the pedal so you can still operate them smoothly lol. My rotors used to turn blue every once in a while when I was being a dumbass

[a4t-qtro]

I have the same setup for about 1k miles and it's still grinding a bit but I guess it's normal. How do you like them ? I dont know the brand of brakes that were on the car before they were slotted/drilled a8 already but it was braking way better. Before I could lock the wheels on the dry tarmac pretty easily but I cant do that anymore I hope it's gonna get better with the time !!! And there zinc coated but theres rust on them already in the inner part on the contact surface where the pads doesn't touch !

[ricekikr]

@somebody5788 - Yup already did break-in (followed the Hawk break-in method)

@a4t-qtro - So far everything seems good, except for the noise. Haven't tried doing a high-speed run to full-stop yet. 1k miles and its still noisy? Crap, hopefully mine gets better, at least now its only noisy during heavy braking.

[somebody5788]

I have the same setup for about 1k miles and it's still grinding a bit but I guess it's normal. How do you like them ? I dont know the brand of brakes that were on the car before they were slotted/drilled a8 already but it was braking way better. Before I could lock the wheels on the dry tarmac pretty easily but I cant do that anymore I hope it's gonna get better with the time !!! And there zinc coated but theres rust on them already in the inner part on the contact surface where the pads doesn't touch !

Mine are zinc as well. I'm going to go take a picture of about 2,000 miles on mine (I haven't washed the car at all and my wheels are coated in brake dust... plus road rash..) Mine are more then strong enough to lock my wheels up. My ABS is not working though. I used PBR ceramic pads (a branch off of them but same pad for 40 bux) and I rebuilt both of my calipers when I did it. If I wanted to I could easily leave a 50 foot set of lines on the pavement.... I would bleed the brakes. Even if you already did. If that doesn't help make sure the slides are clean, still nothing then change the pads out as they are probably crap. Keep in mind that breaking pads in will make them grip strong as well. Mine were strong from the start though. Only reason I didn't use a kit even though I paid slightly more is because I wanted the best parts (yes my pads were cheap but they are pretty much as good as a Hawk street pad) My Zimmerman rotors were worth every cent!



brake dust was also reduced to 1/8th of what it was before. You can see they have 0 rust and the zinc coating is still sticking to the parts where the pads are not touching.

[ricekikr]

Update: No more noise, I guess all that was needed was simply driving around for a few miles the next day after bedding it in.

somebody5788: I like your caliper carriers better than mine. Mine are gold color and the rotors are silver, wish I could've gotten em in the same color.

[somebody5788]

Mine are ATE which is the same brand as the calipers. I paid about $75 each brand new (wholesale price) the joys of being a parts manager hahaha

These same ones... wow I got a damn good deal

http://www.worldimpex.com/parts/genu...ont_84695.html

I could order 2 sets right now if anyone is interested. I'll need to make a profit though so I'd like to see 85 each to keep my boss happy.

[ricekikr]

Mine are ATE which is the same brand as the calipers. I paid about $75 each brand new (wholesale price) the joys of being a parts manager hahaha

Wow, great price! Thats even cheaper than the gold Schwabens'. And when you get the slotted rotors from ECS, the total would still be cheaper than ECS' package deal, pending caliper holder shipping cost.

Sidenote: Didn't know dealers sell items at double the price!

[.Mad Hatter.]

sometimes its much more than double...