ScottAW

So I called my service advisor after hearing a continually worse clunking sound in my front end. Whenever I braked after I changed direction (forward/backwards), I would get a clunking sound. It sound like the caliper was sliding back and forth. I heard it on both sides too! So, I informed the advisor of the diagnosis, telling him I wanted to have my front end looked and thought it had something to do with the brakes, explaining what I heard/felt. He said it was probably the A-arm, a common problem. I told him it was a stronger sound on the passenger side, but I heard it on the driver side as well - but less often. I explained I wanted both sides looked at.

So, I dropped the car off, they had it ready for me at noon. Always had been great service with a smile, and they informed me the A-arm was replaced, the sounds were gone. Well, on the way back to work after picking it up, a lady cuts me off big time making a left hand turn at a light. I went from 55-0 in a panic stop, the anti-lock brakes saving me from a front-end collision. And, I heard the clunking sound again. So, I gave it a day, just to be sure I was still hearing the sounds, called up and made another appointment. It's been making sounds all week long.

Well, with the threat of snow, I put my snow tires on tonight. I did the front passeenger first, struggled to get the lug bolts off that they put on way too tight with an impact wrench. Then, I went around to the driver's side and pull of the tire. Lug bolts came off easily, they obviously hadn't even looked at this side. I was irritated by this. I removed the tire and I see this. My mouth dropped to the floor, I can't fvcking beleive it.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4040/dscn1749.jpg">

The brake pad de-laminated. As you can see in the picture, the pad re-wedged itself into the caliper arm after the corner disintegrated off. It's literally ready to fall out, a complete brake failure on this side could happen. I thought back to the lady that cut me off, and how at that moment I praised Audi's anti-lock brakes. Seeing this... I realize how close I was to having this brake completely fail on me.

So, I think to myself - I didn't notice the other side like this. I finish up this side, and go back to the other. After pulling the tire off, it looks pretty normal, the pad is centered on the metal stamping. I then stick my finger behind it, and I push the pad back and forth behind the metal stamping holding piece. This side had delaminated too!!! I can't beleive this. I told the service department, "check the brakes, feels like movement in the brakes." They didn't even look at this!

The front brake system of my car is literally skating on thin ice! I am still very pissed this was overlooked after I specified it. Besides the fact that AoA now lost money on the labor and parts for replacing a perfectly good A-arm. Ugh.....

Thank goodness my service appointment is tomorrow. On one hand, I'm so tempted to call up AoA, and take back my "5" ratings on everything, as they really should be 0. I think I'm going to give them a second chance, tell them to replace all the rotors and pads all around. My back pads are around a 1/16th thick right now, and need replacement.

Man.... my blood pressure is up tonight. This is no better than the Ford dealership I had to deal with on my last vehicle.

Greyhound Guy

in the morning. My brakes have been squealing up a storm but just stopped because of the cold I think. And the rear end is sqeaking real bad. I have 4K left.

CatOne

It's called a brake.

MikekiM@PureMS

It's one of the reasons we think so highly of the Carbotech brand of brake pads. They have safety rivets to prevent delaminating pads.<ul><li><a href="http://www.carbotecheng.com/faq-pad-q1.htm">Carbotech Safety Rivets</a></li></ul>

ScottAW

The brake pads in the rear tend to wear sooner on these cars for some reason.

ScottAW

Yes - fixed. Number 7 corrected me first. Not the first time I've made that mistake.

EGainer

How come you didn't change the pads sooner?

yoeddy

replaced under warranty of course, but it doesn't give my a warm and fuzzy feel about this car

ScottAW

Car is on warranty, why would I mess with it? I mean, I trusted the dealer to fix the problem after I explained what I thought the problem was.

If it weren't a luxury sedan with a 4yr./50,000 mile warranty and service plan included on it, I would've pulled the wheels off a long time ago and fixed it myself after I heard the first clunking sound. And if it weren't on warranty, I'd be buying some pads with rivets in them to replace the crap ones with.

ScottAW

No kidding?!? Mine is also a 2001 with 41,000 miles on it.