Rear brake pad wear

[TripleBee]

I think, to get your answer, you'd better go check your van, and let them show the problem to you.

If your disks look like this:

You'd better have them replaced.

If they look like this:

It's disputable, but not a fail imo.

Anything in between is disputable.

Yes, one (1) brake pad has a sensor, the near (right) side inner pad. But if any of the other 3 reaches the minimum thickness, then all 4 pads needs replacing (1 set = 4 pads).

I had the two inner pads worn, and the two outer halfway. Of course the check brake pads light went on, as there were 2 pads almost completely worn, one with the sensor.

And please don't ignore your safety on tyres and brakes, because they are the only way to stop the van and to keep it on the road.
New disks means new brake pads. Don't put back used brake pads on new disks.
You could ask them (VW?) to put in ECO parts. They are much cheaper. But I think this is only possible on VIN number if the van gets 5 years old.
But if the part numbers are the same as my old 2010 van, the original parts number of the brake pads is: 7E0 698 451 B (was €153,67)
ECO: JZW 698 451 K (was €72,24)
Brake disks: 7E0 615 601 D (was €107)

You can have an eco set of pads and disks but that is about €300. So you'd better go for ECO pads and a set of original disks.

 

[tonyguthrie]

Thanks for your reply. I have told them to change the lot. Haven't seen them yet, they have said it's failed so no option but I have asked for the removed parts to be returned to me for further inspection, I'll post pics when I get my hands on them!!

 

[briwy]

£320 is a rip off. Its an hours job and the parts cost about £120 retail. I would have anorher go at getting the price down.

 

[Collieboy]

I have a very similar issue on my brakes my 2017 150DSG . I take the point that not using the van allows rust to build up and cause damage, but although my annual mileage is around 6 to 7000 due to using company car, the Cali always gets a run at least twice a week.I have had previously had golf and 2 Passats used the same way and never had this issue before. Whats changed ? To me it appears the brakes are not fit for the job. The VW sales team certainly never suggested an annual mileage of XXXXX was recommended to avoid issues

 

[GSX1300R]

I have now done around 20k miles in mine in 5 years and recently changed the wheels around and checked the front and rear pads. All pads seem to have worn fairly evenly inboard and outboard and have probably 5mm plus left on them all. Leaving the van standing the discs will obviously rust but should only be surface rust which should scrub off in a few miles..

 

[tonyguthrie]

Hello All, thanks for the replies. I had kind of erased this from my memory bank if I am honest!! I did ask for the discs and pads back (see pics) although I don't have a video of them actually being removed. You can see that pad wear is obviously uneven outside and inside, one pad is very close to 1mm left but the side with the sensor doesn't seem to be as bad although still heavily worn. Discs aren't heavily scored but as you can see from the pics the wear pattern, particularly on the inside face is very strange. 13800 miles!!!!

 

[GSX1300R]

Hello All, thanks for the replies. I had kind of erased this from my memory bank if I am honest!! I did ask for the discs and pads back (see pics) although I don't have a video of them actually being removed. You can see that pad wear is obviously uneven outside and inside, one pad is very close to 1mm left but the side with the sensor doesn't seem to be as bad although still heavily worn. Discs aren't heavily scored but as you can see from the pics the wear pattern, particularly on the inside face is very strange. 13800 miles!!!!

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They do seem to be quite badly worn.but 13800 miles that shouldn’t have happened. Mine look new compared to that.
The pads are definitely worn very unevenly and the discs are unrecoverable. It looks like the sensors either haven’t been touched by the discs or they just haven’t registered. Does it show any wear marks on the sensors at all? I manufacture motorcycle brake discs as a business and I can state that no 2 vehicles will wear discs and pads at the same rates..I’ve heard of some lasting 50000 miles on the same discs and others last only a few hundred miles..It can come down to many things that cause uneven wear but mainly it’s problems with the calipers not pushing the pads evenly.

 

[tonyguthrie]

They do seem to be quite badly worn.but 13800 miles that shouldn’t have happened. Mine look new compared to that.
The pads are definitely worn very unevenly and the discs are unrecoverable. It looks like the sensors either haven’t been touched by the discs or they just haven’t registered. Does it show any wear marks on the sensors at all? I manufacture motorcycle brake discs as a business and I can state that no 2 vehicles will wear discs and pads at the same rates..I’ve heard of some lasting 50000 miles on the same discs and others last only a few hundred miles..It can come down to many things that cause uneven wear but mainly it’s problems with the calipers not pushing the pads evenly.

Hi, thanks for your reply. The wear sensor only seems to be fitted to one side and it's on the other side to the pad that is most worn, I'm attaching a better pic as I'm not sure what the sensor should look like when the pad is "worn enough" to trigger the alarm. My entire reason for posting this thread initially was to ask if anyone thought it was worth my time and effort to complain to VW about this. General opinion seems to be a resounding no but I do feel somewhat aggrieved when you look at the uneven pad wear, that surely has to be caused by uneven caliper pressure (and therefore faulty calipers..??). Appreciate your time and trouble!!

 

[GSX1300R]

Hi, thanks for your reply. The wear sensor only seems to be fitted to one side and it's on the other side to the pad that is most worn, I'm attaching a better pic as I'm not sure what the sensor should look like when the pad is "worn enough" to trigger the alarm. My entire reason for posting this thread initially was to ask if anyone thought it was worth my time and effort to complain to VW about this. General opinion seems to be a resounding no but I do feel somewhat aggrieved when you look at the uneven pad wear, that surely has to be caused by uneven caliper pressure (and therefore faulty calipers..??). Appreciate your time and trouble!!

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I can see from the picture that it hasn’t touched the pad sensor. That’s at least one thing you won’t have to replace..I think you would be on a loser going back to VW to complain about disc and pad wear..They are both regarded as consumables or at least the pads are so doubt you would get anywhere with that..There is also the point that everyone drives differently some using the brakes much less than others. VW could say that they have used the brakes too much..There is also the point about what sort of driving do you do..If you did mainly motorway miles you wouldn’t touch the brakes in maybe 100 miles but around the town you could touch the brakes maybe 20 or 30 times in a mile.. So many things to take into consideration. There are many suppliers of Brake discs and pads so you don’t have to go down the VW route. There are Top brands of discs and pads at probably half the price of VW..And to prove a point your first originals weren’t that good were they.?

 

[tonyguthrie]

I can see from the picture that it hasn’t touched the pad sensor. That’s at least one thing you won’t have to replace..I think you would be on a loser going back to VW to complain about disc and pad wear..They are both regarded as consumables or at least the pads are so doubt you would get anywhere with that..There is also the point that everyone drives differently some using the brakes much less than others. VW could say that they have used the brakes too much..There is also the point about what sort of driving do you do..If you did mainly motorway miles you wouldn’t touch the brakes in maybe 100 miles but around the town you could touch the brakes maybe 20 or 30 times in a mile.. So many things to take into consideration. There are many suppliers of Brake discs and pads so you don’t have to go down the VW route. There are Top brands of discs and pads at probably half the price of VW..And to prove a point your first originals weren’t that good were they.?

It's a fair point about driving style/habit/usage. Very little Motorway driving in it to be fair so as you say, that equals more brake pedal usage!! Without boring you with the detail, I have a VW Service Package which included the first MOT. My local Commercial Dealer shutdown last year so the van now has to go to the next closest which is an hour away so I pay them £20 to collect and return it. When it went for the MOT (it's first) last month it was a freebie (on the service plan) and there were a couple of niggly warranty bits that needed doing. Even though it had a Covid MOT Extension when it failed, the failure obviously nullified that and they couldn't (wouldn't) drive it back to me so the least painful option was to just get them to replave discs/pads. They originally quoted almost £400 but I managed to get them down to £320 (still way too expensive I know, but not worth the time and effort to get it bak home and get someone else to do it). It's just one of those things and to be honest, I know that it's not worth my time and effort to even mention it to VW (as you rightly say) but it still grates that having spent almost 60K on a vehicle it fails it's first MOT after 14000 or so miles!!

 

[GSX1300R]

It's a fair point about driving style/habit/usage. Very little Motorway driving in it to be fair so as you say, that equals more brake pedal usage!! Without boring you with the detail, I have a VW Service Package which included the first MOT. My local Commercial Dealer shutdown last year so the van now has to go to the next closest which is an hour away so I pay them £20 to collect and return it. When it went for the MOT (it's first) last month it was a freebie (on the service plan) and there were a couple of niggly warranty bits that needed doing. Even though it had a Covid MOT Extension when it failed, the failure obviously nullified that and they couldn't (wouldn't) drive it back to me so the least painful option was to just get them to replave discs/pads. They originally quoted almost £400 but I managed to get them down to £320 (still way too expensive I know, but not worth the time and effort to get it bak home and get someone else to do it). It's just one of those things and to be honest, I know that it's not worth my time and effort to even mention it to VW (as you rightly say) but it still grates that having spent almost 60K on a vehicle it fails it's first MOT after 14000 or so miles!!

Can understand your feelings..Especially after such a low miles.It would appear that the fact you drive mainly town/city miles is the reason for them to wear out so quickly. Most of our miles have been motorway/touring miles so the reason they are still pretty good..Have you had a chance to look at the fronts? They Do say though that the vans are harder on the rear than the front..That shouldn’t be the case really but it appears that’s what happens. £320 is not cheap but as you say you had no choice and for the rears you would need a caliper piston wind back tool not expensive and worth investing in. I would VW would charge more than £320 to do it.

 

[tonyguthrie]

Haven't actually checked the fronts but at the time of the MOT the garage did say the fronts were absolutely fine. I will have a proper look at the weekend though. Oddly, I also have a 2017 T6 204 DSG 4Mo Transporter for work (2 months older than the Cali), done almost triple the mileage, predominantly around town and discs/pads all fine (famous last words!!) although that hasn't been MOTd yet...!! I do appreciate your time and input, I'll update the thread if my Transporter needs brake attention in a couple of months when that goes for MOT!!

 

[oilydavid]

No! Pads should last much more than 15k and second each pad on a should wear out about the same amount. I would suspect one of the caliper pistons are sticking or a hydraulic line fault causing one of the pads to drag on the disk and cause the pad to wear as you decribed. If I were you I would ask this to be replaced under warranty and of course to make good the caliper. I would also want a replacement disc(s) or if they object a detailed report on the discs condition then check if the amount of wear reported is consistent with similar vans of the same mileage

3 years old rear pads down to 2mm discs corroded..19000 miles..never had this problem on 3 previous Californias!!

 

[Wildcamper]

3 years old rear pads down to 2mm discs corroded..19000 miles..never had this problem on 3 previous Californias!!

Just had a VW service, pads 30% worn after 22,000 miles.

 

[westfalia]

Just had a VW service, pads 30% worn after 22,000 miles.

Thats not a fair comparison, with a hightop when you take
your foot of the gas it already starts slowing down so your
brakes will probably last for ever, unlike the
sleek aerodynamic Cali.

 

[Wildcamper]

Thats not a fair comparison, with a hightop when you take
your foot of the gas it already starts slowing down so your
brakes will probably last for ever, unlike the
sleek aerodynamic Cali.

Possibly true. Still, overall we get 37mpg for the 22,000 miles.

 

[Taff7996]

So had mot done today, 2 advisories Rear brake discs and pads, because of excess corrosion of discs, 2017 Ocean with 23k on the clock
Rang around a couple of dealers and an independent specialist.
What a shock, £405 from dealer and £344 independent specialist to supply and fit
What annoying is i was a forklift engineer for 23 years and more than capable of changing them myself.
But after having my ankle fused and knee replaced, the days of working on my knees, on my driveway, are long behind me

 

[Alied]

So had mot done today, 2 advisories Rear brake discs and pads, because of excess corrosion of discs, 2017 Ocean with 23k on the clock
Rang around a couple of dealers and an independent specialist.
What a shock, £405 from dealer and £344 independent specialist to supply and fit
What annoying is i was a forklift engineer for 23 years and more than capable of changing them myself.
But after having my ankle fused and knee replaced, the days of working on my knees, on my driveway, are long behind me

Brembo rear pads and discs are £124.97 using code MID60 from Euro Car Parts. VW also do an economy range if you want O.E part number JZW698601AK. Just get a local garage to fit them for you.

 

[Resfeber]

Euro parts are also doing a buy and fit for these.
My quote for fitting was £70 fitting plus £124.95 for the pads and discs.
Obviously, will be location specific independent labour rates but worth checking out.
Current mid60 offer ends in 3 days 1/2 days.

Get them while you can.

 

[Cali Phillip]

Brake warning light today, 21K and 3 years nearly.
Definitely a lip the rear discs but none on the front, it does stay out side and get the west coast wet.
First vehicle thats worn the rear first

 

[Resfeber]

Brake warning light today, 21K and 3 years nearly.
Definitely a lip the rear discs but none on the front, it does stay out side and get the west coast wet.
First vehicle thats worn the rear first

Just replaced rear discs and pads at 3years 6 months and 33k but vehicle garaged when not in use.
Discs have looked terrible when I bought at 6 months old and have only marginally improved with use and regular attempts to bust the crap off surface.

Pads were at 6 mm bar 1 at 3 mm just about on the wear contact.

Discs were at 22mm thickness (min 19.5)
Brembo replacements from Euro parts with anti corrosion finish on discs.

£143.52 for parts
You will need a piston windback tool
£13.99 screwfix
£24.99Torque wrench screwfix
21mm socket for calliper bolts
12mm VW original to remove &13 mm socket to fit new Brembo replacements (why?) for floating calliper frame
19mm socket for wheel nuts.
10 mm splined drive for disc securing bolt
Skills to complete work safely.

Or typically £80 to 90 for Euro parts fitting service (labour rates in your area may be more, please check.

NB passed MOT in June 2021 (first) but was v close to advisory although brake force test result convinced tester that although looking terrible were serviceable for more than 5k miles

 

[Wildcamper]

Brake warning light today, 21K and 3 years nearly.
Definitely a lip the rear discs but none on the front, it does stay out side and get the west coast wet.
First vehicle thats worn the rear first

Van is 4 years old. 28000 miles. Just passed mot, rear disks 50% worn, front 30%. Tester said this was normal. Never driven hard.

 

[Calimili]

Strange. in the german forums the problem seems to be too little usage of rear brakes, hence danger of rust , and the advice given is to operate the handbrake (carefully!!) if the road conditions allow, to prevent the rear disks to rust and instead clean them....

 

[Resfeber]

Strange. in the german forums the problem seems to be too little usage of rear brakes, hence danger of rust , and the advice given is to operate the handbrake (carefully!!) if the road conditions allow, to prevent the rear disks to rust and instead clean them....

That has been my experience.
The discs had lost 37% of material (new 23.5mm down to 22mm minimum of 19.5mm)

I used the handbrake regularly when conditions allowed and scrapped rust from the disk face NB carefully and over whole surface so as to not create uneven thickness or low spots.
This worked as more disc surface became polished over time but the damage had been done to the pads and rust embedded into the pad caused the grooves and increase pad wear.

Hopefully, most people report better results with the more corrosion resistant Brembo discs.