Brake Pad Crisis

[theaxe]

So after two weeks my front brake pads are still on back-order.

It's getting to be a real problem as soon I really won't be able to drive the car.

My order is currently with VAG Parts who are doing their best. I tried some dealers but they just said they're on back-order too.

EBC claim that they don't make pads for the B7 RS4.

Any ideas before I start renting a car to get me around?

[Love_iTT]

There are some Red Stuff pads on ebay at the moment - link here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DP31513C-EBC-REDS ... dZViewItem

Hope that helps.

Graham

[theaxe]

Thanks, strange that EBC claim not to do them. I'll see what VAG Parts come back with today..

[rjkflyer]

Try also:

http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/ ... category=1

They do red and yellow.

Or look for PAgid pads - try www.motorsportworld.co.uk

Remember none of these will have pad wear indicators - you'll need to keep the connector off of the old pads, cut it off the pad, short the wires and plug it back into the socket on the strut.

[S4INT]

You can get Ferrodo DS2500's for the B7 - awesome pad. MRC Tuning will supply them along with others. Last time I used Woodford Garage - 01803 863958. Again, no wear sensor, so keep the plug off the old pads....

[almoRS]

I had pads fitted by dealer two weeks ago wasn't aware of any delay.

I thought I had read somewhere that the RS 4 pads were actually pagids:

See half way down post http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... ight=pagid

[mac4RS]

When I read this I thought I may have a problem.

Phoned local stealer who confirmed that they didn't have any, but there was a delivery tomorrow morning which included the pads

He will put a set aside for me just in case more cars require these...

[theaxe]

Thanks for all of the responses/pms. In the end I rang every dealer in Kent and managed to track down a set (£400 for 4 corners, ouch!). I did the fronts that evening (dead easy, took less than an hour) but I couldn't figure out how to do the rears so I'll come back to them.

If anyone has any info on how to change the rear pads it'd be much appreciated.

[tartan_rob]

I think you will need to rotate the piston back into the caliper. or buy a tool, it makes it much quicker.

[Love_iTT]

Halfords sell wind back tools for this very job. (not RS4 specific)

Graham

[theaxe]

I have one of those tools. My problem is that I can't see how you release the caliper to remove the pads...

[rjkflyer]

I've not actually had the rears off, but if they're like some other Quattro models, You need to release the handbrake cable to get at the lower caliper bolt.

The cable enters from below on the rear inside of the caliper and i think there's a clip on the top of a bracket which is slotted - remove this and the cable should be released allowing you access to the lower bolt. Remove this one ONLY (the upper one has a damper on the RS4 i thiink), and swing the caliper up.

The piston rotates clockwise back into its housing. Drain off some fluid from the reservoir first...

Is this answering your Q?

[rjkflyer]

Should have added, torque for new bolts is 35Nm.

[theaxe]

Very helpful, thanks. I'll take a look this weekend.