Life of Brake Pads

[cj_uk]

Hi, silly question I know and it all depends on your style of driving etc etc but does anyone have a rough idea how long brakes pads last for on a 1.9TDI octy ii ? Mines just cover 22500 in just over a year and I'm going away for a couple of weeks over the summer period with the family and just wondered do I need to be looking at getting them changed. Also how easy/difficult is it to change them myself and what specialist tools would I need ? Many thanks

[Makefish]

I have just been told that my front pads will need changing in around 3,000 miles (that would be about 32,000 miles total) and I drive my car pretty vigoursly so I would say that you should be fine for a while yet but if you have any doubts have 'em checked by your local garrage or dealers. Can't say how easy it is to fit them though.

[Tom_vRS]

An easy DIY job mate, about half an hour a side imho.

Saying that, they should have plenty of life left in em at that mileage.

[vRSLen]

For the rears you would need a tool to wind the pistons back.

[DaveI]

Originally Posted by cj_uk

Hi, silly question I know and it all depends on your style of driving etc etc but does anyone have a rough idea how long brakes pads last for on a 1.9TDI octy ii ? Mines just cover 22500 in just over a year and I'm going away for a couple of weeks over the summer period with the family and just wondered do I need to be looking at getting them changed. Also how easy/difficult is it to change them myself and what specialist tools would I need ? Many thanks

I have the 1.9 and I am close to 31,000 miles so far on my first set.

[AndyC]

Mine where changed at 50k and still had some life left in them (1.6 GLX 100bhp)

Andy

[dstev2000]

I have a 2.0TDI driven like it's stolen with 30k on the clock but the pads still have loads of meat on them.

[cj_uk]

Many thanks for the replies chaps, perhaps I'll get them checked before the summer, once again many thanks

[golfturbo]

My car is 13 months old with 36k on the clock, just checked the pads and they look about half worn! And thats with DSG too so no engine braking!

I use every extra bhp of the remap too!!!!

[DanGB]

Is it easy to see wear without taking the brakes apart? If I remember you can actually see the few mm tickness of the pad against the disc.

[ncarring]

If you don't know how to check the pad thickness, you shouldn't be considering changing them yourself IMHO, and yes, it's usually pretty easy to see how at least the outboard pads are wearing. Either just peer through the wheel (a torch helps) or jack up and whip the wheel off to see both pads.

I look at mine every now and then, but it does depend how and where you drive. If you do a lot of town driving they will wear out quicker than if your driving is mostly on motorways.

[DanGB]

I wouldnt even considering changing the pads myself!!

[ncarring]

I meant the OP

[cj_uk]

Just incase I gave certain people the wrong impression, I always used to carry out my own servicing, engine rebuilds etc But for the last 3 cars I've owned I have bought new ones coz I really haven't got much time to do my own servicing. The pads on the front, since I touched a car last, are different due to the fact that they are not flat to the disk, if you know what I mean So I guess when applying the brakes the pads move in and touch the disks square on, correct ?

[ncarring]

I've never seen a brake caliper where the pad isn't at all times pretty much parallel to the disc. In fact most of the time they're pretty much touching it. This is certainly true of every car I've ever owned, and of an Octy I - not seen the brakes on an Octy II but I'd be amazed if they were any different.

Apologies if I got the wrong end of the stick - but I didn't want you embarking on something if you didn't have at least basic mechanical skills.

Tools required - usually only a socket set, some pliers, maybe a large screwdriver for fronts. For rears you need the winding tool to push the pistons back into the caliper.

Here's a little schematic I posted once before - this is what you would see if you could look through the tyre from the front directly at the edge of the disc. The grey bit is the friction material.

[cj_uk]

No need to apologise ncarring, I realise that there are people out there who ask these sort of questions and have little or no knowledge of mechanics on cars. I bought a rear caliper winder for an old XR4x4 a few years ago, but no doubt that won't fit ! Isn't it always the case

Regarding the front pads, it seems that the leading edge of the pad is the only part of it touching/cose too the disk with applying the brakes, anyone else noticed this, no doubt you have

[cj_uk]

Sorry to drag this one up again chaps, but if I was to replace the pads myself, would this effect the warranty ? Just thought I'd ask