XSNRG 93

My friend had to drive my car this past weekend b/c I had to ride in a limo for my friends wedding - my friend followed in my car. Unfortunately, my frined left the parking brake on. OUCH!!!! We went about two miles going at 30 miles per hour. The rear bakes were smoking by the time we got to our destination. I just washed the car and I can see the damage. I see the burnt metal (brownish color) in my rear brakes. Do you all think this will seriously affect my brakes? They seem fine to me for now.

One more thing...I was driving in the rain and stepped on my brakes real hard b/c the car in front of me made a sudden stop. I felt the brakes vibrate. The car still stopped though. Is this the ABS working? I never felt that before in any of the other cars I drove in the past. Maybe it was the combo of the rain and speed I was going. This happened twice. Once before the parking brake accident and once after. The good news is that no wet braking delay exists.

Thanks for your help.

larryV

Yes that sound is probably just the ABS doing its job. You'd be surprised how active ABS can get when stopping abruptly in wet conditions.

As for you rear brakes... don't sweat it. 2 miles at that speed wouldn't cause any permanent damage. If anything, the life expectancy of your rear brakes has just been shortened, that's all. They typically wear slower than the fronts anyway so no big deal.<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/larryescortsig.jpg">

Jason H

1. You may need the rotors refaced or even replaced if there was enough damage. This wouldn't be costly at all though if stock replacement parts were used. If the e-brake is holding fine(when you pull it does it feel the same as before?) and you don't feel a vibration coming from the rear under normal moderate braking force, I'd just wait and see, maybe have the dealer take a look at the next service.

2. Sounds exactly like ABS to me, and is completely normal. Did you actually feel the brake pedal "pulse" quickly? Thats the tell-tale sign of ABS. Remember in these situations that the car is totally steerable while ABS is kicking in, that vibration is the brakes modulating to prevent your wheels from locking up. So if you feel it kick in but you've stil not got enough room, steer as much out of it as you can. Most people's instinct is to just stomp the pedal and just hold on.<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=2361"> <img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/jasonh_aw_sig.gif" border=0></a>

Bryce

Then you probably warped the rotors in the back. After a session at the track we do not set our p brake until after the rotors have had time to cool. The Sticks put blocks under their wheels so they do not roll.

You could have felt the ABS yes. Try it again on an empty road/parking lot.. Learn what it feels like. So you do not get scared when you really have to use it.<p>Bryce
'00 1.8T Avant-Tip...APR

XSNRG 93

I have no current problems with my brakes as far as I can tell. My parking brake still works when I'm parked (ie. no rolling). But, just to be sure, I will have someone look at it when I go in for service in a week. I did figure that the service life was shortened, but no big worry. I will probably end up replacing them in the future anyway to get rid of that infamous brake dust problem. Thanks again.