Issues with Hawk HPS rear pads

**J.Owen** · 05-25-2011 08:26 AM

Back Story: Last weekend I installed a full set of pads and rotors on all four corners of my 05.5 2.0t Quattro. A few miles into the bedding process I begin to hear a very noticeable metal on metal banging noise from the right rear corner. I returned to the garage, disassembled the right rear caliper, swapped pads around, reinstalled and rebled the caliper. On test drive number #2 the noise only got worse, to the point where people on the street began to look over as I passed. Returned to the garage and pulled the HAWK pads again and found that the backing plates had popped off of both pads.

After this I reinstalled the OEM pads only to find that the issue disappeared. With an upcoming trip and track day, I was forced to go out and purchase a new set of pads from a local retailer as to not bed my old pads into my new rotors. These pads (EBC Red Stuff) worked perfectly fine and I currently have no issues.

Today I called the retailer of the HAWK pads and was told that this was part of the break in period and they have sold over 500 sets of pads with no issues. If I had an issue I could call Hawk to voice my concern.

So my question is, has anyone here experienced (or know someone who has) any issues with the HAWK HPS rear pads for the B7 Quattro? I did come across a few threads online with similar issues, but figured I would go to the source and ask here as well.

Here are a few links with similar issues.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...Knocking-noise

**A4A4A4** · 05-25-2011 08:32 AM

I have the HPS front and rear and didn't experience any noise during my break-in period or really ever for that matter. Sometimes they squeal on the first stop of a cold morning but after that they're good to go.

**J.Owen** · 05-25-2011 08:44 AM

I could deal with a squeal or grind on break in or cold mornings, this was a noticeable metallic knocking noise. With the caliper off I could literally shift the pad back and forth within the carrier.

**Operator** · 05-25-2011 08:47 AM

Don't have the Hawks, but I do have the EBC Red Stuff, and have been very pleased, since i had them installed. I initial was going to go with Hawk, but after seeing reviews for EBC, I went that route, I think you'll be happy with the purchase.

**elwigglero** · 05-25-2011 08:52 AM

I've had the Hawk HPS (front and rear) for about a year now and haven't had any problems. I've been very happy with them actually. Sorry to hear you had bad luck.

Call Hawk directly, because it sounds like you received pads with a manufacturing defect. Take pictures, explain and I'm sure they'll make it right. Let them know that your/their distributor was zero help as well.

**chrislane31** · 05-25-2011 08:56 AM

I have about 100k hard miles on Hawk HPS with no problems

**J.Owen** · 05-25-2011 08:59 AM

100K on one set ;)

**grassrootz** · 05-25-2011 09:12 AM

Hmm did you use all the grease provided? The backs are pretty rough on the front pads I have and could easily catch and the bed in theres a rough layer on the face of the pad it could have stuck to the disk that first bed-in. Also did you ever come to a complete stop and chill with ur foot on the brake? It could have seized that quickly to the new rotor and when you pulled off it snapped the backing plate. Personally I think you should return to Hawk and say they provided you a shitty pad. You should be covered by the warranty and they can put it through their Quality Service people to figure out how you were able to sheer off the backing plate off of brake spanking new pads.

**chrislane31** · 05-25-2011 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by J.Owen

100K on one set ;)

Not 100k but at least 60k and they still had some life left.

**J.Owen** · 05-25-2011 09:23 AM

Yup, used the grease and followed their bedding instructions. Any time I did come to a stop I pulled my foot off the pedal and or made sure to roll forward and backward so the pad didn't sit in one spot for too long. Hawk is next on my list of phone calls when I have a free moment.

At this point I think I am must frustrated at the retailer of the pads. I understand its a wear item, but I have spent $2,000+ in the past year alone and their response was nothing short of "you're SOL". They were really willing to lose any of my future business over a set of pads.

**chrislane31** · 05-25-2011 09:29 AM

Well let me know if you need a new retailer :)

**J.Owen** · 05-25-2011 09:34 AM

speaking of, i'm sending you a PM.

**Satyroi** · 05-25-2011 09:36 AM

22k on my Hawk HPS pads and very happy. No problems here. Looks like some type of fitment issue. You sure you got the right pads?

**J.Owen** · 05-25-2011 09:42 AM

I have the right box. Pads have the same pattern so i would only assume they are correct. I'm not trying to bash Hawk by any means, I have used their pads in the past and loved them which is why I chose to use them again.

**grassrootz** · 05-25-2011 09:52 AM

Yea go direct to Hawk. Retailers don't want to fork out the extra cash since they shipped a defective product. Hawk shouldn't have a problem esp as Elwigglero stated send them pictures of the pads, the box, the caliper open and closed, and probably wouldnt kill shoot pics of everything you think is pertinent. And just keep following up. Being persistent usually wins the race.

**Operator** · 05-25-2011 10:25 AM

Think you'll match up the fronts?

**J.Owen** · 05-25-2011 11:35 AM

not sure what you mean? As in matching the pads up to all EBC or all Hawk?

**Operator** · 05-25-2011 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by J.Owen

not sure what you mean? As in matching the pads up to all EBC or all Hawk?

Are you going to keep the Hawks up front? Or are you going to change to EBC's up front too?

**J.Owen** · 05-25-2011 02:05 PM

i'll keep the hawks. They are already bedded in on the new rotors and the EBC's are bedded into the rears. So I will run mismatched pads. Both are decent pads so it shouldn't be a problem.

**Uptown** · 06-08-2011 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by J.Owen

Back Story: Last weekend I installed a full set of pads and rotors on all four corners of my 05.5 2.0t Quattro. A few miles into the bedding process I begin to hear a very noticeable metal on metal banging noise from the right rear corner. I returned to the garage, disassembled the right rear caliper, swapped pads around, reinstalled and rebled the caliper. On test drive number #2 the noise only got worse, to the point where people on the street began to look over as I passed. Returned to the garage and pulled the HAWK pads again and found that the backing plates had popped off of both pads.

After this I reinstalled the OEM pads only to find that the issue disappeared. With an upcoming trip and track day, I was forced to go out and purchase a new set of pads from a local retailer as to not bed my old pads into my new rotors. These pads (EBC Red Stuff) worked perfectly fine and I currently have no issues.

Today I called the retailer of the HAWK pads and was told that this was part of the break in period and they have sold over 500 sets of pads with no issues. If I had an issue I could call Hawk to voice my concern.

So my question is, has anyone here experienced (or know someone who has) any issues with the HAWK HPS rear pads for the B7 Quattro? I did come across a few threads online with similar issues, but figured I would go to the source and ask here as well.

Here are a few links with similar issues.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...Knocking-noise

I had several sets of Hawk HPS pads do the same but only on the front and usually after backing up. I removed the wheels and the pads just didn't seat solidly in the brackets. They gave me mutliple sets but I ended up trashing them when the last set whistled on the front right when making left turns although they didn't do the "clunk" thing. I went with EBC Reds and had no problems even autocrossing until the rotors turned BLUE! Love the EBC's and remember do not use your emergency coming off of a blue rotor run as the rotors will warp and change the brake fluid at least once per season with high temp fluid. I even won a Pro Solo and Hawk ran out of sponsor forms at the event and wouldn't give me my $100 contingency money so it was more reason to pitch them since I only used them for that reason. I did get a lot faster at swapping out pads...thanks to them. :)

**Coderedpl** · 06-08-2011 10:49 PM

I have the HAWK HPS's and no such problem like that. I did grease up everything I possibly could though. The metal prongs/plates and whatever surrounding areas I could. Maybe a faulty set?
Contact HAWK directly is my suggestion.