matthalifax

Hi,

I recently purchased a 2007 A4 2.0T, with 40,000 KM on it. The dealership told me they had recently replaced the brake pads and rotors. Sorry in advance for the long post, I just don't know how else to communicate all the information.

I picked it up on a Saturday. While driving throughout the initial weekend, I noticed quite a bit of brake squeal at the very ends of a stop (the last 3 - 4 seconds of the stop). This sound was not evident during my test drives.

Anyways, the dealership called me on Monday and asked how the car was working out. I said great, but brought up the brake issue. The salesman checked with the service center and told me it was the result of the new brake pads and rotors that was causing the squealing. I said ok.

Anyways, a couple weeks went by, and I was dealing with the manager of pre-owned sales about negotiating a trade in (my car was in the shop when I bought the car, so the trade in was negotiated afterwards), and my brakes were still squealing so I brought it up with him, and he told me his 2005 A4 was doing the same thing, and that the car only needed a couple good highway trips and some hard braking and the pads would seat and the squeal would stop.

OK, I decide to be patient. A month goes by, I drive lots, I brake hard. The sound DOES go away - when i've been driving for 30+ minutes. But it is there every single day for the first 20 - 30 minutes I drive and if I stop and let the car sit for an 30 - 40+ minutes, the sound is there upon start up again.

So I was taking it into the service center to have the summer tires put on, and again raised the brake issue with the service manager. They took a look at them and said my brakes are fine, and that this is an issue with the brakes on Audi's and there is nothing that can be done, and that the more I drive, the less it will happen. They say something builds up on the brakes that must be "burned" off, so to speak. Or something - I cannot remember exactly.

I just can't believe this is the case. I can't believe that a car company that markets itself as a premium manufacturer is content to allow their #1 selling car to exist with this issue. Honestly, if this never goes away I will never buy another Audi. It's too bad, I love this car otherwise, but most driving in my city is done in 30 minute shots or less, so I am basically dealing with this squeal every time I drive. With the sunroof open or the windows door, it is REALLY painful/loud to listen too. It's embarrassing - it's impossible to hide this sound without cranking the music, and so all my friends and clients whom I drive around notice it and often comment.

Is there really no fix? Nothing? Are they just waiting till my warranty is gone to tell me what the solution is? I still have one more audicare appointment, too. Anyone have a working man's solution?

Again, I apologize for the long nature of this question. I just thought all the information upfront would help those more informed than I to answer.

Thanks,

Matt

WasGTIguy

It's normal. Take it out on a country road and slame on the brakes a couple times. Our cars tend to have a build up of brake dust between the rotors and calipers. Mine does it too.

a4rob

last summer my brakes were squealing like there was no tomorrow, it drove me crazy. When it got really hot it did it even worse.

After winter and now that its warm out again, its gone. I really do think its a bad patch on the pads that you have to wear through and I guess over the winter with more driving i got through it.

They get glazed and you have to wear that glazing off. Go on country roads like wasgtiguy said and do some 80km hard breaking to about 5km an hour but dont stop completely because they might glaze over again. Just coast and then do it over again a few times.

This however did not work for me to get rid of the glazing but many many people say this is the best trick. You could also try sanding down the pads.

good luck

a4rob

btw if you are breaking hard a lot like you said thats why you are probably getting the squealing. If you break hard then stop completely at 0 with your foot still pressing down on the brakes, that will cause them to get glazed.

wanthema

uhhhh..... i would get a second opinion from an independent mechanic bro. After that long and stilll noise, there is something up. my car has never squealed once. I had the dealership replace the rear brake pads cuz i was complaining about the brake pad burning off too quickly from the old OEM pads.

I tried to get them to replace the rear rotors too but no go =( I'm due for new rotors in october (mind u after 2 years of driving since i got the car).

Brucktown

I have the exact same issuse, picked up a b7 avant from the deal (they just put new brakes on) it drove fine for about 1000km's than i got the squeeks. It is weird because it squeeks for a few days then goes away but comes right back.

It is embarrassing but thats about it

downtown_mtl

Yeah, mine started in November... pretty much when it was super cold out. Anyway, it re-occurs randomly, and I'm on the same OEM pads since i bought the car.

Stevelev

Try this: Instructions for bedding in your brakes

K04-S4

Check your rotors outer edge for a lip. If so then the larger the lip the sooner the rotors will need replacing. The worn rotor lip is often the source of brake squeals. Chamforing the pad edges can reduce squeals from worn rotors to buy some quiet time before replacement.

Check the retainer springs are installed properly if equipped on your specific vehicle model. Improper retainer spring installation can cause squeals.

Some cheap aftermarket pads and rotors will squeal by nature and there is nothing to do other than replace them with quality parts to eliminate squeals. Recommend don't use cheap aftermarket brake parts.

wanthema

im in need of changing my rotors, cuz of my rotor lips are 3mm out more than the disc itself in the rear and the front rotors look rusty as hell from the insides... ( i think my front calipers kinda half seized) lol.

I noticed it because they barely produce any brake dust from all my braking, and my rear is making crazzy brake dust like i never seen before.