When to change brake pads/discs

[jldiablo]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to check with you guys when would you or have you changed your brake pads and discs for your Q? what % of pads and disc thickness are your threshold for a change?

My car's in service today and have been quoted the following:
70% Worn - Front Brake Pads 5mm. discs 32.6mm min 34mm (urgent)
25% Worn - Rear Brake Pads 10mm, discs 26.4mm min 26mm (advisory)

Regarding the disc thickness, correct me if I am wrong, I thought the new front discs came as 34mm thick, don't know why they quoted 34mm as the min?? or am I actually below the min and they should be changed right now?

Also should the pads be replaced at 70%? it was measured at the same 70% some 7-8months ago when I was in for MOT, if it hasn't gone down at all, I should still get plenty life out of them I assume?

Quoted price was pretty steep as well (900+ for front, 600+ for rear), make me really wanna try DIY it lol..

Thanks!

L

[Nizza]

Always makes me wonder how they calculate 70% without measuring pads etc.

The parts on euro car parts for pagid / brembo which are good quality are around £520 at the minute in their sale. Although the parts not in the sale are expensive anyways.

I personally wouldn't pay dealer prices for anything had my 50 tdi first service which was purely oil and filter audi quotes £380. Done at independant audi approved service centre and was £135.

I would just pay someone the labour to fit the parts.

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[jldiablo]

Same here.. car's jacked up in the Audi cam but just by visually, I don't know how they can measure the pads and discs.. I thought you have to take off the wheels to do that..

Just had a look on the parts, they are indeed expensive with the non-sale price of £350 per disc, are they better than the genuine ones? The price you got from the indy does look really attractive!! I am still in the search for a realiable independant approved centre around

thanks man!

[sandstheman]

The quick way to test is to see how much of a lip there is on the brake discs, a mm or two on either side and they'll push for replacement.

[Nizza]

Same here.. car's jacked up in the Audi cam but just by visually, I don't know how they can measure the pads and discs.. I thought you have to take off the wheels to do that..

Just had a look on the parts, they are indeed expensive with the non-sale price of £350 per disc, are they better than the genuine ones? The price you got from the indy does look really attractive!! I am still in the search for a realiable independant approved centre around

thanks man!

Where are you based?

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[jldiablo]

Around Brentwood area.. Found a Bosch centre and the quotes (parts + labour) they gave me is higher than the dealership! :O Like you said, buy discounted parts when they are available + labour for fitting is the way to save..

Where are you based?

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[Chin85]

Does Q7 have a sensor / warning for low pads?

[jldiablo]

I think they do, but only for when the pads are low.. in my case, no warnings as 70% worn (dealership measurement) pads are not low enough to trigger the light.. It is the discs which needed replacing according to the dealership's measurement, pads should always be replaced with discs apparently so they will be thrown away even if no lights yet.

[Clem397]

I’ve just had a quote for front discs and pads. Audi quoted £1165, local independent £930.

He told me that you can’t get discs other than the ones Audi use so the price isn’t going to be significantly cheaper.

[Retom]

You can replace front discs and pads yourself. Rear are more complicated since you need a computer with the software to unlock the brake calipers. The best/cheapest solution is to buy the parts in online shop and do it at independent Audi service.
I usually buy the parts here:
Car parts catalog for AUDI Q7 (4MB) 3.0 TDI quattro with engine capacity of 272 hp
The prices are very attractive and delivery is within 48 hours.
PS. You need also pads sensors. I have bought Textar pads for front and TRW for rear. These producers deliver OEM pads for Q7.