Squeaking brakes

[strizzle]

Hi guys my front pads are squeaking like crazy I have had them replaced with ebc yellow stuff around 2weeks ago first thought they might need to wear in but now it's getting really frustrating

 

[strizzle]

Forgot to mention it only squeaks at low speeds 5 or 10 mph and sometimes it doesn't squeak

 

[Steff s3]

Hi bud
TX might be able to tell you more, I collected my rs on Tuesday and mines has round discs instead of wavy.

 

[strizzle]

Hi bud
TX might be able to tell you more, I collected my rs on Tuesday and mines has round discs instead of wavy.View attachment 116474

I did not change disks just changed pads

 

[dno_uk]

Perhaps you should have visited your dealer before changing the pads yourself.

Audi have just changed my pads under warranty, I still have a slight squeak but no where near as bad.

There are plenty of posts regarding the brake issues but ultimately there is no fix at the moment.

Loads more info if you search the forum

 

[D0C]

Apparently a fix is due end of this month. I will try to find out more.

Mine is 3000 miles old and has the faintest of faintest squeal at walking speeds.

 

[Swipe18]

I got the 'new' round discs the other week and put red stuff pads on and no squeal. Alll good. When you say bedded in what process have u gone? Bearing in mind after a while you need to get yellow stuff nice and hot.

 

[Scottyg]

I know this isn't Audi related but I had a previous Insignia (I know I know) that did this constantly!! The pads and discs all round were replaced twice under warranty due to low speed squeal. One set of discs/pads lasted 16k, the second 4.5k. At least VX acknowledged there was an issue and would honour replacements FOC up until car was 25k miles in. However, I know a number of owners who got them changed after that cut off due to the discs/pads failing at around 6-8k old.
Seemingly the cause was that the pads were made with a different combination of materials. Otherwise VX skimped on decent pads to cut costs!
Don't know if this is a similar issue with Audi discs/pad set up on the RS3. Not had any issues with my A3.

 

[Terminator x]

Minor irritation for us although seems to effect quite a few owners. Old issue apparently on most RS models. Mine has random very low speed squeal. Audi haven't been quick to sort although they seem to be on the case now. Take it to the dealer imho

TX.

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[Rs1]

Forgot to mention it only squeaks at low speeds 5 or 10 mph and sometimes it doesn't squeak

I've fitted yellowstuff pads to front no problems with them...but like yourself first few miles loud squeal but soon went fine now they are supposed to last a while as well

 

[monkeyboy_marcus]

This is easy to fix and don't wait for Audi to do it for you. Myself and many others had this in 8P cars and waited ages for the official fix, which wasn't perfect when it was eventually released. I had this too in the 8V and sorted it out myself very easily. Instructions are given in this thread: Report RS3 TTRS brake problems - see 45bvtc's post. Basically, get mintex self adhesive shims off ebay, remove the wheels and pads, clean/apply shims, refit - happy days with no squealing. Piece of **** to do with minimal tools/hassle/cost.

 

[Hal Adams]

How many threads are there on brakes across all the RS3 chat rooms?

Here, I do not blame anyone for chipping in with a new one because the moderators have not seen fit to make this topic a sticky. The two issues, squeel and warped discs should be taken separately. Unfortunately, due to the average intelligence of an Audi dealership employee being pretty basic, do not rely on anything sensible coming from there.

For the OP on this one - squeel is the high frequency noise between the pad backing plate and the caliper body when the clearance between the two is great enough to allow the plates to chatter in their locations. This will always be at low speeds and is a phenomena of big brake kits such as the RS3 employs. In some cases, friction material can contribute towards squeel, but to a lesser extent than the metal to metal contact.

The only cures:
1. Fit pads that have a 'tighter fit' - generally Redstuff seems to be the answer
2. Fit decent shim material as per monkeyboy's suggestion above, between pad plate and pistons - genrally 3M specialised product seems to be the answer.
3. Smear all edge contact points of the pad back plate with a good quality brake paste such as Loctite special product.

 

[45bvtc]

Apparently a fix is due end of this month. I will try to find out more.

Mine is 3000 miles old and has the faintest of faintest squeal at walking speeds.

I remember Audi GmbH saying something similar in January 2013 DoC: OK, relative to the 8P RS3 and TTRS but Audi's resolution didn't cure the problem, and it continued with the 8V for some: here's what was published:

​

PS: I had this 47i6 upgrade on my own RS3 and the low-speed brake squeal returned in approximately the same number of road miles (1200) so I removed the pads and added the shims and problem solved - see two posts above. But then we found the OEM pads were scoring the brake discs and so I fitted EBC Redstuff and have been encouraging others to do the same ever since. To any 8P or 8V RS3 with low speed brake squeal I'd be fitting EBC Redstuff.

 

[45bvtc]

I got the 'new' round discs the other week and put red stuff pads on and no squeal. Alll good. When you say bedded in what process have u gone? Bearing in mind after a while you need to get yellow stuff nice and hot.

Here's what I gave to Audi UK back in 2013, Swipe18 and have been using a similar if not the same procedure on Lotus cars and others since the late 60's:

Bedding-in Procedure

The purpose of the brake pad and/or brake disc bedding-in procedure is to gradually increase the temperature in the components without thermal shock and to mate the brake pad and disc friction surfaces, generating a uniform transfer layer: and here's how it should be undertake:

• Perform 20 (ish) brake applications slowing from 60mph to 20mph.

• Allow 15-20 seconds between each brake application.

• Use medium deceleration - approximately 60% of maximum.

• DO NOT brake to a stop as friction deposits are likely to 'bond' to the brake disc and you'll believe you have a warped brake-disc.

• When completed, drive the vehicle for at least 5 minutes with little or no braking allowing the brake discs and pads to adequately cool.

• The system is now ready for normal use.

Hope this helps...

 

[45bvtc]

How many threads are there on brakes across all the RS3 chat rooms?

I started here on audi-sport.net on December 1 2012 Hal (my car was then 1-year old) with the thread "Owners with brake squeal please register your frustrations HERE!" and in 8-days we had a list of 18-8P RS3 owner drivers reporting problems and the list continued to grow.

And to date reporting of low-speed brake squeal and/or warped brake discs hasn't stopped!

On December 9th 2012 I posted pictures of the 'cause' and cost effective 'resolution' and you've just recommended the same i.e., anti-squeal shims.

Shame that Audi have allowed such an infuriating issue to 'spoil' the reputation of a fantastically good motor car...

 

[D0C]

So after being stuck in stop/start traffic last night for an hour, each time when braking it causing an horrific squeal from the brakes and embarrassment, I've booked my car in at Audi for next week.

Although after digging out this thread and reading some of the solutions, I might as well not bother with Audi, who surely won't do anything. Unfortunately though, my mechanical expertise ranks about 1/10, so I'm not sure I would even contemplate trying to sort it myself. Very frustrating.

 

[45bvtc]

Best get a local specialist to fit a set of Redstuff. You must have someone local surely who's capable; and for sure it'll be a lot cheaper than going to Audi for what will be a 1-hour max job to change a set of front brake pads.

That said, I do feel your pain and would love to help but can't for the time being...

 

[mwcltd]

I have had my RS3 for 18 months and the low speed braking squeal is beyond belief. I went to my dealer last week and under warranty they installed two balance weights, one for each caliper and now no more squealing. This took about half an hour.

 

[D0C]

I have had my RS3 for 18 months and the low speed braking squeal is beyond belief. I went to my dealer last week and under warranty they installed two balance weights, one for each caliper and now no more squealing. This took about half an hour.

Thanks, I will show them this post. Hopefully they will sort it out!

 

[mwcltd]

I have had an RS3 8v for about 18 months. About 6 months ago the front brakes started squealing. I contacted my dealer and they fitted under warranty a balance weight to each front caliper. The squealing has gone. This took about half an hour.

 

[Radman]

I have a very slight, intermittent squeak when literally doing about 2mph at the very end of the braking. Is this what your guys experience? I'm away a lot so car isn't driven a lot, part of me thinks it could just be build up of crap, dust etc in the pads?

I have had an RS3 8v for about 18 months. About 6 months ago the front brakes started squealing. I contacted my dealer and they fitted under warranty a balance weight to each front caliper. The squealing has gone. This took about half an hour.

 

[D0C]

It's always low speed. Mine sounds horrific. Definitely not like a build up of dust. Sounds like metal on metal.

 

[Snake Pliskin]

The sound dampers DO NOT cure the squeal !

Had mine fitted couple of months ago. They create a new tone of squeal.

The degree of squeal varies now. Sometimes it comes on regular & other times it goes away for a few days.

It's all down to build up of brake dust on the discs. I pressure wash my discs weekly & you can visually see the black dust coming off the discs. This clears the squeal immediately but then after a few days & build up of brake dust it gradually comes back.

Heavy braking can clear it up for a while too.

But the dampers are not a cure, dependent on your driving style & number of miles per week they may help though. I do lots of low speed low mile trips so worst case for the squeal

 

[Snake Pliskin]

It's always low speed. Mine sounds horrific. Definitely not like a build up of dust. Sounds like metal on metal.

That is the sound mate - like metal on metal it sounds awful & embarrassing !

 

[Snake Pliskin]

I have a very slight, intermittent squeak when literally doing about 2mph at the very end of the braking. Is this what your guys experience? I'm away a lot so car isn't driven a lot, part of me thinks it could just be build up of ****, dust etc in the pads?

Yes ... literally the last 5mph to a complete stop is when the squeal kicks in.

It's a commonly repeated issue with the mark 1 RS3 which has transferred over to the mark 2 RS3 unfortunately.

My wavy discs also warped & been changed to the new circular optimised discs as seen on the TTRS & facelift RS3. These are miles better than the wavy discs - feel smooth with lots of bite and more powerful. They are thicker steel so greater heat resistence.

 

[D0C]

I seem to recall a post from Hal Adams where he explained in detail that it's the pad backing plate and calliper body moving around. I'd say it sounds more like what he described.

 

[Snake Pliskin]

I seem to recall a post from Hal Adams where he explained in detail that it's the pad backing plate and calliper body moving around. I'd say it sounds more like what he described.

Either way the pads & wavy discs are very poor quality & dampers don't cure the squeal.

Only full cure is after market pads & that invalidates your warranty.

 

[D0C]

Agreed, the brakes are such a let down on an otherwise awesome car.

 

[Terminator x]

Tbf the brakes are very good as standard it's just the nasty squealing that isn't good. Not everyone has it either just some of us.

TX.

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[Terminator x]

Pads and discs aren't covered under warranty remember (after 6 months) so you'd always need to pay for replacement parts.

TX.

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[Snake Pliskin]

Tbf the brakes are very good as standard it's just the nasty squealing that isn't good. Not everyone has it either just some of us.

TX.

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I never felt confident with the wavy brakes.

Vibration & get extremely hot !

The optimised thicker circular discs are a hundred times better & feel how brakes should ... smooth & purposeful.

I had 3 sets of wavy discs in 6k miles.

2 for squeal & 1 for warping. So I don't rate the wavy discs at all.

 

[Terminator x]

Lol you must be one unlucky bar steward Snake!

TX.

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[Snake Pliskin]

Lol you must be one unlucky bar steward Snake!

TX.

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Tell me about it !!!!

Took 12 months to get decent brakes though lol which is not great on a £50k car

Any other car I would have gone nuts .... the RS3 is a fab car though so it made up for it in other ways

 

[D0C]

I have had an RS3 8v for about 18 months. About 6 months ago the front brakes started squealing. I contacted my dealer and they fitted under warranty a balance weight to each front caliper. The squealing has gone. This took about half an hour.

Ok, so Audi have today fitted the balance weights to my brakes. I'll know in the morning if it's worked as it's terrible every morning I drive to work.

 

[D0C]

Well, they seem to have cured the problem! I'll keep monitoring, but it did it every morning I drive to work, without fail. Today, nothing.

 

[Steff s3]

That's good news,are these fitted to the calliper themselves!
Do you have a picture of them fitted Doc please?

 

[D0C]

That's good news,are these fitted to the calliper themselves!
Do you have a picture of them fitted Doc please?

I'll be honest, I haven't even looked closely at the calipers. I'll have a look in the morning and see if I can see anything.

How are your brakes, as I know yours has the round discs?

 

[Steff s3]

Yea if you could that be great.
Very occasionally I get low brake squel,but I do get it still.
I'm going to Fit red stuff brake pads next week while it's in getting the front repaired from being hit.

 

[Seanix]

I'll be honest, I haven't even looked closely at the calipers. I'll have a look in the morning and see if I can see anything.

How are your brakes, as I know yours has the round discs?

They are fitted to the rear side of the calipers. Will be hard to see them unless u jack the car up and look from the under side.

For the most part the caliper dampers work and do the trick. I've had them for many months now with zero squeal.

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[D0C]

Yes, I couldn't see anything obvious this morning. But again, there was no squeal. This ended up occurring every day without fail, so it does seem to have worked.