Grinding noise from A2 rear brakes

[CPN]

Does anyone have any experience of a grinding noise from the rear brakes, of an A2 particularly when moving off for the first time in the morning. My wife's A2 1.4 2001 model with only 23,000 miles since new has suffered from this for the past year or so but my Audi dealer says he can find nothing wrong and can only suggest replacing the rear drums. Once the brakes have warmed the noise disappears (almost) but reappears the next morning.
Thanks for any advice.

[ndavid]

I had the very same problem. My Audi dealer had cleaned the brakes (with some break-cleaning fluid, I dont know the details) and the noise disappeared for months.

[spike]

Hi CPN, welcome to the A2oc.
Have you tried leaving the car in gear and the handbrake off when parking overnight. Any moisture / condensation in the back brakes can cause the shoes to rust onto the drums and give the sticking / grinding problem for a mile or two next morning.
Hope your wife won't forget to put it in neutral or dip the clutch before starting though

Cheers Spike

[tdiman]

SKF told me the rear brakes needed refacing, the sound I was getting was the same, cleared up during the day but came back next morning, they quoted £200, all labour, seems they strip down the rear drums reface the shoes & drums and reassemble it all, probably cheaper for you to have new drums & shoes fitted by a friendly non stealer!

[CPN]

Thanks all for those tips - I'll try the handbrake off / car in gear method first and see what happens, then it may be a case of visiting my local friendly independent dealer for new drums and shoes.