This is my first Audi so just wondering if this is normal.
Is it normal for a 2002 Audi A4 3.0Q to:
A. Need rear brakes before front brakes
B. Have to replace rotors whenever pads need to be replaced

The dealer told me that most German cars including Audi put thin rotors on the car and when you need new pads you need new rotors. This is my first German car so I had never heard that before. I had a 1996 Mustang GT that I put 89000 miles on it before I needed new pads and I was still able to machine the rotors and just replace the pads. I thought that Audi would have better brakes than Ford but maybe not.

Anyway, just wanted to see if what I am experiencing is the normal or is the dealership blowing smoke up my a$$.
Thanks in advance.

 

A. Maybe the front were already replaced at some point, and not the rears, so now the rears need done? Did you buy the car new, or used?

B. not normal really.

Sounds like a good time to upgrade to some good rotors, and pads, and screw the dealer, have an independent import shop install them, its a lot cheaper than the dealer, or DIY like most of us do.

The Audi dealers in general seem to be out to charge you for anything they can, just from what Ive heard. I do all the work my self, so I have not been to the dealer ever.

try ECS tuning for rotor/pads, they have some decent sets, brembo is a good, popular brand as well, the mintex red pads are decent, also ebc greenstuff if you need high performance.

 

Brakes jobs are pretty straight forward not that hard of a job once you do one there rest are easy.

 

Thanks for the info. We bought it used in January 2005. It only had 13,000 miles on it so I do not think the front brakes were changed before we bought the car. They checked the front brakes and they are at 8mm. I think the recommend changing at 4 or 5mm. I wish I could do them myself but living in a town home I do not have the tools or space to do the work. I think I will call around and see if I can't find a local shop that can do it cheaper.
Thanks again.

 

when doing the brakes it is strongly recommended to replace the rotors with it. Do not have them cut either. The rotors are diffrent material and are thin so you should do them. If not they could be ok or you could get a chatter. plus rotors are dirt cheap compared to some other domestic cars. And please never compare an audi to a mustang again shame

 

Yeah, I guess I was comparing apples to oranges.
But I have to say as far as longevity of breaks go:
Mustang 1
Audi 0

; )

 

How many miles are on the car now. The pads that are currently on there now are probably cheapies. It all depends on driving style and quality of the pads. Not saying that audi has the best braking system but to see 50 to 60k on them its about time for new brakes.

 

How does one check the thickness of the pad? Do you actually have to take off the pads?

I've never done a break job before, but I'd love to give it a shot. I'm pretty good with my hands, so I don't think I'd have that hard of a time doing it. Any pointers?

 

just look at the pads. there are measuring tools as well where you can stick the teeth between the rotor an the liner for thickness. Front pads are cake. Rear are two with the right tool. Im sure someone did a write up somewhere