MKV Brakes

[anthony_VWJET]

Im starting to hear a slight squeal when braking, nothing obvious, but enough to raise a bit of concern or to take notice of.

How far are people getting before having to replace the pads and/or discs?

Thanks!
Anthony

[warhead]

I think the number is around 45,000km from what I've read

But it's completely dependent from how you drive

[blutopless2]

have done 45,000ks in my jetta so far... due for its service so be interesting to see what is said about brakes...

[85turbo]

done 123k in my 05 tdi, and there's no record in the service history of having pads or rotors replaced.
no unusual noises, and brakes are fantastic.

Jason.

[BeigeJet]

Im starting to hear a slight squeal when braking, nothing obvious, but enough to raise a bit of concern or to take notice of.

How far are people getting before having to replace the pads and/or discs?

Thanks!
Anthony

Hi Anthony,

I've done 77,000km now in my jetta and there's still 7mm on the front and 5mm on the back pads. All original including the rotors!

As ours indicate all in how you drive,

Cheers,

Neil

[gregozedobe]

As stated, driving style as well as traffic and roads can make a huge difference to how long pads and disks last.

Best case scenario is all freeway driving in light traffic with a driver who is very good at anticipating so rarely uses the brakes, and almost never brakes hard.

Worst case scenario (excluding racing on a track), is heavy, stop-start peak hour traffic (or going down windy mountain roads as fast as possible) with a fully loaded car and a driver who is always either accelerating hard or breaking heavily.

The former might go for 200,00 km or more without needing anything except brake fluid changes every 2 years, the latter might need new pads and disks at 6,000km !!!

[bazzle]

Are you able to have a look at the pads?
Most times a torch thru the wheel spokes will show the general condition of pads.

Its a bit hard for me to see from my desk here:

Squeel can also be a bit of dirt in pad or glaze.

Bazzle

[Dragonzdk]

65,000+ k's and still no change.

I am hoping when they do I might get a surprise and find a set of brembo's ! Here's hoping....

[anthony_VWJET]

Thanks for the replies!

Last time I checked there was about roughly 5-6mm left. The noise has seemed to have gone, so my only guess it couldve just been dirty, causing friction resulting in the abnormal squeal.

The cars only sitting on around the 37000km mark, which is why i was somewhat surprised when i heard the squeal.

IMO Im pretty easy on the brakes...

I know on some rotors/pads theres an indication marker that squeels when the brakes get to a certain thickness, slap me for my lack of knowledge of vws, but do vw pads/rotors have this?

[limmy]

5mm isn't that much...plus the inside pad could have worn unevenly? most vw OE pads come with a wear sensor for one side of the front pads. rear pads dont have sensors at all. if you're easy on brakes you should get 50,000kms+.

FYI - i will be posting on ebay sunday night the following items for anyone thats interested...will post notice on ebay section once up along with prices etc. it will be heavily discounted off dealer prices already... only have limited sets so let me know if you're keen.

all brand new and boxed, imported from UK/Germany. just threw sets on my mk5 and mk2.

for mkv GTI/2.0T jetta - set of front OE Brembo rotors with OE pads. also have set for rear.

for mkv 2.0 Golf - set of front OE Brembo rotors with OE pads. also have set for rear. guessing these fit 2.0 Jetta but will confirm on weekend.

[Rustyboy]

FYI - i will be posting on ebay sunday night the following items for anyone thats interested...will post notice on ebay section once up along with prices etc. it will be heavily discounted off dealer prices already... only have limited sets so let me know if you're keen.

all brand new and boxed, imported from UK/Germany. just threw sets on my mk5 and mk2.
....

for mkv 2.0 Golf - set of front OE Brembo rotors with OE pads. also have set for rear. guessing these fit 2.0 Jetta but will confirm on weekend.

Are these rotors & pads a drop-in replacement for whatever came with the car? (I have a MY04 MkV and at 44,000km am due for replacement soon)

Rustyboy.

[SoVeReIgN]

VW copped some pressure by the Aussie police, so all their turbo cars squeel a little for some time after any run over 150km/h.

I think you've been giving it too much of a hammering with your new chip.

[brad]

Just had my 30,000km service. Front pads 11mm / Rear 9mm remaining.

I wouldn't be concerned until there is < thickness of backing plate left (~3mm).

If they are squealing, give the calipers/pads a good blast from various angles with high pressure water. Sometimes it helps

[gtimk5]

I have done 64,500 kms in my GTi, it copped a thrashing around Sandown a few years ago and the brakes have very neglical wear. Discs dont have a lip on them as well.
I have replaced plenty of pads on MK5 golfs at my workshop with the lowest km reading being on a 1.6 dsg at 41000 kms. Most of the cars I have replaced pads on have done approximately 75000-80000kms. All depends on the driving style and roads as to how long you get out of a set of pads...

I find them fantasic for my driving style. I have never been hard on brakes though, after racing my old Mk1 it paid not to use them as it took to long to get back up to speed.

[Paul_OH]

Whilst I'm all for preventive maintenance and checking your running gear, isn't there a brake wear sensor/indicator on the front left pad that displays a warning on the MFD when pads are ready for changing?

Manual 3.1 page 14