Newbie here: How long until brake pad replacement?

nyc_moto · 12-22-2004

Does anyone have a info on how long until brake pads had to be replaced and if so what is apx cost? My 2004 has 27K miles (I drove it cross country!) and the "check brake pads" alarm has come on but it seems sort of early to me for new pads. Any info would be great. Thanks!

**spockcat** · 12-22-2004

There have been reports about changing pads as early as 20k but they are mainly from city drivers. Aside from the 7k you put on it going across the country and back, what about the other 20k? City or highway?

**TREGinginCO** · 12-22-2004

I'm creeping up on 26k miles and was at the tire shop yesterday (damn nail in the tire) and while it was up we took a look at the pads.

There is still 50 to 60% of the pads left on mine - so I'm guessing I should get about 45 to 50k on my pads at this rate.

By the way.... in a slight thread drift here... I know there are many complaints about the Tire Pressure Monitoring System, but I have to say I was extremely impressed that it was able to detect a very small nail in a tire. That nail just barely poked through, but I still got the warning. Very nice!. And... shout outs to Big O for the free flat repair!!!!

nyc_moto · 12-22-2004

my driving is a mix of highway and surface streets, and since its a automatic the brakes get used alot, but it still seems early for new pads? I am going to shop today so we will see. I will post with an update when i get the car back , I am also going to ask for old pads in case they need to be changed, just to check em out for myself. I dont know too much about cars , but I do all my own motorcycle maintence and it should be interesting to see how much wear the pads have. Too bad i dont have alift, i could change them myself!!!! Thanks.

**spockcat** · 12-22-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyc_moto

my driving is a mix of highway and surface streets, and since its a automatic the brakes get used alot, but it still seems early for new pads? I am going to shop today so we will see. I will post with an update when i get the car back , I am also going to ask for old pads in case they need to be changed, just to check em out for myself. I dont know too much about cars , but I do all my own motorcycle maintence and it should be interesting to see how much wear the pads have. Too bad i dont have alift, i could change them myself!!!! Thanks.

The brake specs are here: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1707879 about a 1/3rd of the way down the thread.

4x4s · 12-22-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyc_moto

my driving is a mix of highway and surface streets, and since its a automatic the brakes get used alot, but it still seems early for new pads? I am going to shop today so we will see. I will post with an update when i get the car back , I am also going to ask for old pads in case they need to be changed, just to check em out for myself. I dont know too much about cars , but I do all my own motorcycle maintence and it should be interesting to see how much wear the pads have. Too bad i dont have alift, i could change them myself!!!! Thanks.

If your handy with a wrench, brake pads aren't too hard to change at all (though I haven't tackled this on the Touareg yet). You can do it without a lift, just a jack and a jack stand to do one wheel at a time. You would need to check out the disks too, and probably (but not certainly) change them at the same time.

I'd be curious to hear what your pad thickness is, now that the warning has been displayed.

**spockcat** · 12-22-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4s

I'd be curious to hear what your pad thickness is, now that the warning has been displayed.

Should be 3 mm but hopefully he will post it.

nyc_moto · 12-22-2004

Ok ! another fun day in the world of service! VW dealer says front pads and front rotors need to be replaced, apx $700 total! WTF! Does anyone know why steel rotors would only would last 27k , and alot of those miles are "go" highway miles? I spoke with the head tech and he said the rotors are near the wear limit, but do not have signs of damage or scoring, just wear. The tech did ask if I "brake hard", which i thought was pretty funny seeing its a automatic and its not like you can engine brake. The dealer has not had a touareg with as many miles as mine in there yet, so no others have had to get new rotors. I spoke to VW america and they took my info and will get back to me soon to find out if they will do anything about the rotor wear. I am no auto mech. but i do take my ducati out the racetrack often and ride the hell out it, and my rotors on that are fine. Granted its light as hell, but braking as hard as you can from 130mph should put some serious wear on rotors, and so far so good. I think the touareg is great(except for m.p.g.) and like VW alot, but it seems crazy to think after a year and 27k miles I should need to replace OEM rotors. Any more thoughts on subject please post. Thanks!

**spockcat** · 12-22-2004

Read the thread on the link I posted above. Same issue.

nyc_moto · 12-22-2004

spockat: u rock! thanks for the link, great info in there. i am hoping the vw rotors are longing lasting than 25k, if not i might have to go shopping for some aftermaket if there are any!!