Disc wear - advice please

Y

Yossarian

Member
Just had an MOT on my 54 reg TDI 90 and been given an Advisory Notice: front brake discs "slightly worn" and rear brake discs "slightly pitted". The car has only done 27,000 miles - is this anything to worry (or complain) about or just normal wear?
 
I have heard similar comments before at the first MOT. The other comment I have heard is that the rear discs are corroded but serviceable, which might just be a different way of saying pitted.
GBMSU
 
I'm just in the process of buying a 2003 A2 1.4 tdi that's done approx 46,000 miles since new. One of the checks I was keen to carry out prior to agreeing to buy was the wear tolerances on the front brake disks. My local Audi agents in Lincoln were very helpful in providing the info I needed. When new the disk thickness is 22mm and the disks must be replaced when this is reduced to 20mm or less. As the car I'm interested in had a disk thickness of 21.5mm, either the previous owner was an exceptionally light right footer or the disks have been changed.

The above advice is, of course, in addition to the comments you make regarding the state of the disk surface.

I'm off to pick up my first A2 on Saturday and am looking forward to what I hope will be years of smiley motoring.
 
Drum brake replacement

Maybe I should start a new thread rather than asking the question here, but can anyone say when they've had their rear brake pads replaced? Also, should they get the drum replaced at the same time? I read ULP's comment about the Polo and wondered whether the same applies to the A2.

Mine's done about 86 k miles. I replaced the front disks and pads around 70 - 75 k, but no problems with the rear brakes yet.

Cheers,

Dev
 
Hi

Firstly have you got drums or disc's at the back?

If its drums you will have brake shoes, and therefore having the rear drums replaced is only necessary if they are badly grooved or have a severe lip on the edge almost preventing removal.

To be honest as they do so little in terms of braking, you may be ok till 150,000 miles. Just coat the outside in a smooth finish Hammerite colour of your choice and they will last a lifetime……………. almost :)


Also the Front Disc have a high carbon content which make the braking system quieter and possibly better. This will have a contributing factor on the speed of wear on the A2 disc. Its nothing bad in design or due to heavy braking just an improvemnt design to reduce cabin noise etc.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Aren't the Audi discs known for being a bit soft though? I have got the Brembo setup on my A2 and its braking nicely, unlike when it was on the Audi stock setup
 
Sorry Emm, should have been a bit clearer with my terminology: I have a 1.4 tdi with drums, so I did mean shoes rather than pads.

The outer parts of my drums are a nice pale rusty colour :) I tend to agree with ULP about the need to have good looking brakes. However, if I'm short of a job or two around the house I might invest in some Hammerite.

Thanks for the advice on wear.

Dev
 
Hi Dev

How do you find your handbrake? I'm about to strip down our rear drums (75k Miles & 5 years old) because the handbrake has been useless since new and none of the dealers seem to want to tackle it, although they're quite happy to suggest new front discs and pads everytime I go to visit even though there is nothing wrong with them. Must be something to do with the Audi dealers drumming (excuse the pun) easy business!

Cheers

Jonathan
 
ULP said:
and



TDI 90 and 1.6FSI = rear discs
TDI 75 and 1.4 = rear drums

Emm, you'll have to work harder to beat Columbo :)
Click to expand...

HaHa
Yeah I know the difference but wasn't sure what he had, but if i had look closer at the first post i would have known. I was too keen to offer advice :rolleyes:
 
A2Look said:
Aren't the Audi discs known for being a bit soft though? I have got the Brembo setup on my A2 and its braking nicely, unlike when it was on the Audi stock setup
Click to expand...

Over the last few years, nearly all manufacturers have changed to softer grades of iron on brake discs. This is to preserve the 'feel' and feedback of the brakes on modern cars as the demands on the brakes have increased and the materials used for the pads have had to change to make them more enviromentally friendly.
Soft iron is a cheap way to give (relativly) good 'feel' for the typical driver both when the brakes are cold and hot.
Aftermarket brakes can work to different specifications, as they are fitted to give a certain performance. Usually, they sacrifice some 'feel' when cold in return for better feel and performance when hot (or especially very hot).
I am sure the dealers and manufacturers don't complain about the shorter life of the modern discs. As always, life is a juggling act, and you pays your money......
GBMSU
 
vkx245l said:
Hi Dev

How do you find your handbrake?
Click to expand...

Hi Jonathan,

it's that stick thing in between the front seats :)

Actually, it's strange you should mention that. Just lately I've noticed once or twice a bit of creep when I've put the handbrake on, and had to pull it up another notch. I thought it was probably the cable, but maybe it's time to look more closely. I've had it from new, and for almost all of that time it's been fine.

Let us know if you find anything.

Cheers,

Dev
 
Wow you're right its there right between the seats, looks like its been there all along! I'll let you know what else I find

Cheers

Jonathan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top