AUDI UK BRAKE-SQUEAL MODIFICATIONS FOR THE RS3 (and TTRS) 19 MAY 2013

[45bvtc]

OK, my pet subject as most of you regulars will know already.

Had my second Audi RS3 with 'official' AUDI brake-squeal-modifications over my pit today (don't ask) and the changes to this second RS3 are different to the first! I've said before that us owners are being used for development so stay with me here…

Car #1: This RS3 has:
1) New brake calipers and brake caliper mountings. The brake calipers are complete with 2-noise-damping bobbins per caliper.

IMPORTANT: these noise-damping bobbins are not intended to address the cause of the brake squeal, only the reaction i.e., the bl**dy noise you hear that is pi**ing OFF those who have it!

2) New brake pads.

3) New brake discs? No!

Note: this first car was NOT modified here in the UK but elsewhere; and I am not a liberty to provide the location other than it was in a financially viable part of the EU (so that rules out: France, Italy, Greece, Spain, etc.) However, this car retained its original brake discs (part number #8P0.615.301).

RESULTS: the owner reports that even with new brake calipers, etc., he still experiences brake squeal when braking typically at local supermarket speeds (5 to 0mph).

No authoritative advice from Audi but it may as well be: practice on-line shopping.

Car #2: This RS3 has:
1) New brake calipers (and brake caliper mountings) complete with 2-antivibration (noise-damping bobbins per caliper (actual photo).

2) New brake pads

3) New brake discs part number #8P0.615.301.B. Note the 'B' suffix, this is the later brake disc!

Note: this second car WAS recently modified here in the UK. I believe this car to be one of the first in the May 2013 Audi UK modification program. But it is NOT a RE-CALL as it is not a safety critical issue but will be applied as and when during the Audi Service system.

RESULTS: to early to say, but zero brake squeal at this time.

It frightens me that owners are being asked/told and/or made party to an agreement with Audi dealers (maybe Audi UK) to ensure they will NOT post/advertise details/results of this ongoing saga. BUT we're talking about AUDI here, not some Mickey Mouse company, but Audi.

My brakes do not squeal, as my own 'fix' remains effective!

Most owners/customers have spent (one way or another) between 35 and 50K on an Audi RS3 and these guys (Audi UK) are currently using a 'scattergun' resolution i.e., we'll look at your care if you promise (sign here) not to tell anyone else and if we do apply a 'fix' then (sign here) so that we know you’re a happy customer!

At NO time (even as I write) has Audi UK supplied a definitive action plan to resolve this issue.

A seriously GREAT car, but my marker is down that Audi/Brembo are now using owners to resolve/develop a resolution to Audi/Brembo brake squeal issues!

 

[Moschops]

John,

Mines being done on Wednesday...do you want me to swing by on my way home?

 

[45bvtc]

John,

Mines being done on Wednesday...do you want me to swing by on my way home?

Hi Wayne, Yes that's good for me as it would be interesting to list Audi response to the issue of brake-squeal. Please confirm visit Wayne ortherwise we'll be off to The Stag at Tiltley for lunch - an interesting RS3 cross country blast...

 

[Moschops]

Hi Wayne, Yes that's good for me as it would be interesting to list Audi response to the issue of brake-squeal. Please confirm visit Wayne ortherwise we'll be off to The Stag at Tiltley for lunch - an interesting RS3 cross country blast...

Okay will do.

 

[45bvtc]

Okay will do.

It will be interesting to sit and discuss Wayne as I'm sure us UK Audi RS3 owners are being USED by Audi UK; the changes currently being applied by UK Audi dealers are not always the same! Why is that?

And us UK Audi RS3 owners are being told/asked not to post the actions being undertaken by Audi UK dealers!

But/however/and the cause of the brake squeal is NOT being addressed! Only the effect!

I mean, anti-vibration dampers to dampen the noise/vibration created. Are Audi/Brembo having a laugh here?

I have proven (on more cars than my own) that I can control the low-speed brake squeal with a fit-for-purpose self-adhesive anti-squeal shim! Costing £4.99 with FREE postage off eBay!

But Audi/Brembo are currently applying: a brake disc, 2-brake pads, brake caliper mounting, and brake caliper with 2-anti-vibration bobbins per axle… Too funny!

My money, for what it's worth is that the overall width of the brake pad needs to be reduced by 0.05mm so that the brake pad is able to float on to and away from the brake disc, and to allow the existing anti-rattle spring-plate to control the movement/float of the 'existing' brake pad.

With each and every brake caliper I've stripped I've had to 'hammer' the brake pad from the brake caliper! I mean! HELLO!

And if 'HOT' brake pads are stuck 'fast' against a brake disc then is it any wonder that brake disc distortion is the result?

That's enough for tonight; thanks Audi/Brembo but BLUEY's brakes (modified with bits of eBay for £4.99 and less than 2-hours to apply by an OAP) are just fine as they are!

 

[T-800]

It will be interesting to sit and discuss Wayne as I'm sure us UK Audi RS3 owners are being USED by Audi UK; the changes currently being applied by UK Audi dealers are not always the same! Why is that?

And us UK Audi RS3 owners are being told/asked not to post the actions being undertaken by Audi UK dealers!

But/however/and the cause of the brake squeal is NOT being addressed! Only the effect!

I mean, anti-vibration dampers to dampen the noise/vibration created. Are Audi/Brembo having a laugh here?

I have proven (on more cars than my own) that I can control the low-speed brake squeal with a fit-for-purpose self-adhesive anti-squeal shim! Costing £4.99 with FREE postage off eBay!

But Audi/Brembo are currently applying: a brake disc, 2-brake pads, brake caliper mounting, and brake caliper with 2-anti-vibration bobbins per axle… Too funny!

My money, for what it's worth is that the overall width of the brake pad needs to be reduced by 0.05mm so that the brake pad is able to float on to and away from the brake disc, and to allow the existing anti-rattle spring-plate to control the movement/float of the 'existing' brake pad.

With each and every brake caliper I've stripped I've had to 'hammer' the brake pad from the brake caliper! I mean! HELLO!

And if 'HOT' brake pads are stuck 'fast' against a brake disc then is it any wonder that brake disc distortion is the result?

That's enough for tonight; thanks Audi/Brembo but BLUEY's brakes (modified with bits of eBay for £4.99 and less than 2-hours to apply by an OAP) are just fine as they are!

Been Following this with interest as a potential RS3 owner, When i bought my S3 last year it too developed low speed-standstill squeal !! drove me crazy for a £29000 car !!

Anyway, i decided that I'd get no-where with Audi Manchester as they'd been extremely poor with the first service !!! So i stripped down the front Brakes (pads were stuck in the carriers so were not free to move away from the disc) cleaned everything up, used some Pagid brake pad lubricant on the back of the pads and on the top & Btm lugs then reassembled.

Problem was instantly cured and no more squeal, all for a few hours work and a couple of quid in grease/lubricant.

One thing i did notice when stripping the caliper down, was that it too did have a vibration damper screwed into the bottom inside edge but this had a rubber top instead of the RS3 metal ones shown in 45btvc pictures, the strange thing is i bought a 2010 S3 brand new and this didn't have the damper! but the newer S3 i know own does.

 

[tee-bee]

Any news as to whether Audi UK will make this official?

Just paid a visit to my local Audi dealer and they said nothing is official as of yet...

 

[Kelza]

Hi ,its not official yet as i was told this on friday by Dominic Stephenson...hopefully mine are in lakedistrict audi tomorrow ...

 

[45bvtc]

Been Following this with interest as a potential RS3 owner, When i bought my S3 last year it too developed low speed-standstill squeal !! drove me crazy for a £29000 car !!

Anyway, i decided that I'd get no-where with Audi Manchester as they'd been extremely poor with the first service !!! So i stripped down the front Brakes (pads were stuck in the carriers so were not free to move away from the disc) cleaned everything up, used some Pagid brake pad lubricant on the back of the pads and on the top & Btm lugs then reassembled.

Problem was instantly cured and no more squeal, all for a few hours work and a couple of quid in grease/lubricant.

One thing i did notice when stripping the caliper down, was that it too did have a vibration damper screwed into the bottom inside edge but this had a rubber top instead of the RS3 metal ones shown in 45btvc pictures, the strange thing is i bought a 2010 S3 brand new and this didn't have the damper! but the newer S3 i know own does.

EXACTLY! On each and every car I've had the good fortune to attend to the front brakes the brake pads have been "stuck" in the calipers - resolve that and the problem goes away.... THANK YOU Veneeringman...

 

[monkeyboy_marcus]

Any news as to whether Audi UK will make this official?

Just paid a visit to my local Audi dealer and they said nothing is official as of yet...

I think that it is pretty official but pending parts availability, which is inconsistent throughout the country. I'm booked in today (Tuesday) for new front discs, pads and callipers etc... Call Audi UK, open a case, make a fuss, don't rely on your local dealership.

 

[Kelza]

Still alot of ttrs and rs3 owners are not aware of the fix so id say its not official just yet ,like said i made a fuss to Customer Relations Manager
Audi UK Executive office ,hopefully will get a call tomorrow ...
tel:01908 547 239 ext :62815

 

[monkeyboy_marcus]

Still alot of ttrs and rs3 owners are not aware of the fix so id say its not official just yet ,like said i made a fuss to Customer Relations Manager
Audi UK Executive office ,hopefully will get a call tomorrow ...
tel:01908 547 239 ext :62815

I'd still say that it is the official Audi fix, it's just not being implemented efficiently throughout the UK. Hope that this is released to everyone very soon so that this matter can be laid to rest.

 

[Kelza]

The fix is being tested by us ,so lets hope it works ...

 

[Kelza]

Just had a phone call from lakedistrict audi ,all new brake parts are in ,just sorting out when i can get booked in ...

 

[45bvtc]

Just had a phone call from lakedistrict audi ,all new brake parts are in ,just sorting out when i can get booked in ...

John, PLEASE ask Lakeside Audi to CHECK if the 'existing' pads are 'STUCK' of 'FREE' in the caliper.

Lakeside Audi will most probably remove the caliper with pads as a unit, but they should then be able to easily review. PLEASE, please ask!

And if possible, as to see the brake caliper assembly post removal - and check for yourself...

 

[45bvtc]

John,

Mines being done on Wednesday...do you want me to swing by on my way home?

Wayne, PLEASE ask your Audi dealer to CHECK if the 'existing' pads are 'STUCK' of 'FREE' in the caliper.

Your dealer will most probably remove the caliper with pads as a unit, but they should then be able to easily review.

PLEASE, please ask!

And if possible, as to see the brake caliper assembly post removal - and check for yourself…

See you Wednesday Wayne, and thanks

 

[45bvtc]

I think that it is pretty official but pending parts availability, which is inconsistent throughout the country. I'm booked in today (Tuesday) for new front discs, pads and callipers etc... Call Audi UK, open a case, make a fuss, don't rely on your local dealership.

Hey Marcus, would you PLEASE ask Coulsdon Audi the same i.e., were your brake pads stuck in the caliper or were they 'Free' to move/slide? OK, yours may well have been boxed up for return by know but the technician will have been aware... Thank you...

 

[45bvtc]

My reasoning for the previous 3-posts: I still believe that it is the pad to caliper fit that is the issue!

PLEASE refer to Post #6 where Veneeringman observed the same!

I sincerely accept that most guys here are not prepared to take off a road wheel let alone strip a brake caliper - which is why I'm seeking the information: this Audi 'development' on 'OUR' cars seems OTT for me! And on at least one car, possibly the first modified, it has NOT been successful!

 

[Swaffie]

First of all i would like to introduce myself:

My name is Thijs, 26 years old, living in the Netherlands and driving a 2005 Golf GTI. The reason i'm visiting your forum is that i'm looking for a big brake update for my GTI. I have been offered a complete front brake kit from a RS3, but it is the "old" version without the dampers or any mods. The partnumber for the disks: 8P0.615.301. From the information i can find on the internet is geuss this is the one i don't want to have?

But now i came across this topic and think i can use this kit, but i have to do this shim mod 45bvtc is talking about? I hope you can give me some more information about this because i can't really find more information about it?

Thanks a lot guys, sorry for my bad english but i hope you can help me!

Here the car it is for:

 

[T-800]

You could indeed use the shim method and see if that works or alternatively go purchase some EBC redstuff pads as some of us have done and enjoy a squeal free car.

 

[Swaffie]

Thanks for your reply! The kit i'm offered has allready the Ferodo DS performance pads. Do you think i won't have any problems with those?

 

[45bvtc]

Thanks for your reply! The kit i'm offered has allready the Ferodo DS performance pads. Do you think i won't have any problems with those?

REDSTUFF works Swaffie; go try the Ferodo pads if you must and feed back to us your findings.

As for the original pre-mod RS3 brake discs and pads for me there's zero difference; the calipers were changed to fit the vibration dampers and they achieved nothing. As for the brake discs, the 'B' spec discs squeal just as much when using Audi pads.

I'm using REDSTUFF and it works; good brakes wet and/or dry, short pedal, low dust, and ZER squeal.

Do your own thing and let us know.

PS: I used to work in Eindhoven, great country and people in the Netherlands...

 

[Swaffie]

Thanks for your reply and like

Next wednesday i'm going to change my summer to wintertires. At that moment i want to check how everything is mounted and if there is enough space for the RS3 disks. Normaly i would have to use TT-RS disks for the GTI, but i can get a complete RS3 kit for a reasonable price. The only difference is the offset. RS3= 61mm, TT-RS=52mm which would meen i would have to put a 9mm spacer behind the disk.

So thanks for your help so far, i will keep you posted!

 

[T-800]

These came today
Now with wear sensor cutouts