mnAudiLuvr

I just had my third set of rear brakes replaced...this past time it was metal-to-metal. The fronts still have plenty of wear left. I shift a lot, and never stay on the brakes longer than I have to, but the rear wear is unreal!! The dealer says it's because I'm a good driver, but I think it's a load of CRAP!! Also, the dealer said that there is a wear indicator light that is supposed to signal when the brakes get low...guess what? no light...and I had to replace both rear rotors and pads this last time! Any ideas? What about some quality aftermarket calipers/rotors/pads?

TristanP

Wear sensors are for the fronts only

loxx0050

should look into it, that may be the culprit to wearing down rear pads so fast or it may not, I'm not an expert.

Fendyman

I checked them out when I just replaced all four w/ Mintex Red Box.

Ray Calvo

This in hilly western PA/WV terrain.

RE the pad wear sensors: far as I know the sensors have to be mounted in the pads, and the wire connected to the car wiring harness.

To check e-brake engagement, drive on a striaght section of road for a few minutes, then pull over and stop using as little (if no) brakes. Touch the front and rear wheels; if cool, try a light touch of the calipers. If rear calipers are very much hotter than the fronts, the e-brake is hangfing up (possibly the actuating cable needs adjustment).

mnAudiLuvr

It's not the E-brake! Is there something inherently wrong with the design? It's a 2001.5 A4Q 5spd w/Sport Pkg.

loxx0050

put car in neutral and make sure you dis-engage e-brake handle fully. Push car back and forth, if there is significant resistance (hard to push once you get car moving) the brakes may be seated incorrectly or the e-brake may partially be engaged. This is a trick I learned from my cousin, who is a mechanic and runs his own shop.