Brake Screeching
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 785
Likes: 1
From: Middletown PA
Brake Screeching
Does an 04 have the wear sensors on the brake pads that make the screeching noise when the linings get too thin? I thought all cars had them, but was surprised my Audi A6 has no kind of warning system.
I'm getting a high pitched screeching sound sometimes when I brake. I'm just talking normal braking from around town speeds. The car only has 17,000 miles on it so I wouldn't think the pads would be worn out already. Could it be just the type linings I have are noisey? I assume they are the OEM ones. I just got the car in Jan. with 13,000 on the clock.
I'm getting a high pitched screeching sound sometimes when I brake. I'm just talking normal braking from around town speeds. The car only has 17,000 miles on it so I wouldn't think the pads would be worn out already. Could it be just the type linings I have are noisey? I assume they are the OEM ones. I just got the car in Jan. with 13,000 on the clock.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 2
From: Haymarket VA
CI 7-8 Veteran
The sound you hear is most likely from a glaze that has built up on the pad. I don't see any info in your profile about your car but I'm guessing it's and A4. People with A4s tend to brake more because they don't downshift when slowing down and have the engine gobble up some of the speed.
There was a post here several month back about doing some spirited stops to burn off that glaze. I'm not sure how effective that may be. I'm thinking that slotted rotors would help freshen the pad and keep the glaze from forming. This will cause decreased pad life though.
There was a post here several month back about doing some spirited stops to burn off that glaze. I'm not sure how effective that may be. I'm thinking that slotted rotors would help freshen the pad and keep the glaze from forming. This will cause decreased pad life though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 0
From: TN
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Answer to question 1: yes, the inner pad has a metallic tang or "sensor" that rubs against the rotors when the pad is low. At 17K miles, it's unlikely the pads are worn yet, but I have seen some heavy-footed drivers in my mechanical career. It is possible to have glazed the pads like Kid said. If you do change rotors, you should take a sanding block with some 400 grit sandpaper and sand down the glaze off the pads. Then you should lay on a layer of synthetic caliper grease on all metal-to-metal contacts(ears of pads and back of pads). That should help out future squeals, good luck!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 785
Likes: 1
From: Middletown PA
Originally Posted by KidCid
The sound you hear is most likely from a glaze that has built up on the pad. I don't see any info in your profile about your car but I'm guessing it's and A4. People with A4s tend to brake more because they don't downshift when slowing down and have the engine gobble up some of the speed.
