EBC greenstuff pads - warm up ?

[Nige_RS4]

Does anyone else need to warm these pads up until they start becoming effective ? From cold they are awful, but after a 10min workout, they are superb - is this normal, as the mfr states that they work from cold ?

[SimonS4MTM]

I dont have them fitted to my S4, but years ago i had some on a Golf GTi, didn't have any problems with needing to warm them up before working properly. [img]images/graemlins/audiS4black.gif[/img]

[Nige_RS4]

Mmmmm, strange. Point to note, I have pagid pads on the rear too.

[DavidR]

They do become more abrasive when warm, but I wouldn't say they were awful when cold on mine (New OEM rotors + EBC Greens)

[wazza]

I'll let you know how redstuff gets on in a few weeks [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/sekret.gif[/img]

[DavidR]

Would be interested to find out. EBC recommends red due to the weight of the S4, but the dealer was more cautious due to the warm up time (which can be considerable in cold weather) especially in general road use... Personally, apart from a grumble at very extreme braking levels over extended periods and the caliper fluid boiling, I'm happy with the greens. Guess the reds are more likely to boil the fluid.

Anyone know how much Audi charge for a DOT 5 fluid change?

[toasty]

I paid £68 for a brake fluid change on my old A4 2.8Q, though not sure if that was DOT 4 or 5.

[Golich]

I've just done a break fluid flush on my S4 cost me £5 for the litre of VAG DOT 4 fluid from my Audi dealer. The DOT 4 was stated on the brake resovoir.

Took me 40mins in total. I spent much of that time jacking the car and taking the wheels off and putting them on as I did to flush the brake system!

I used my mates flushing pipes. Basically a pipe with a one way valve on one end and a little clip to stop the pressure blowing the pipe off. Open the bleed nipple and pump the brake pedal until clean fluid comes through. One man operation - simple. [img]images/graemlins/033102bigblink_1_prv.gif[/img]

What is the difference with DOT 5?

[DavidR]

DOT 5 doesn't boil so easily (i'm lead to beleive and stand to be corrected) [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[DuncS3]

Personally, apart from a grumble at very extreme braking levels over extended periods and the caliper fluid boiling

Dave can you elaborate what you mean by the Caliper fluid boiling? I have had brake fluid leak from the bleed nipple area onto my calipers, but I had DOT 5 or 5.1 (cannot remember exactly) in my car so I shouldnt be experiencing this should I? I have the Porsche brakes with OEM Porsche 993 pads.

Dunc [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[DavidR]

I notice that after excessive braking, the pedal goes soft as the fluid in the caliper and rigid pipes on the caliper overheats and boils due to the excessive heat generated. Once boiled, the fluid is less effective and gives a spongy pedal feel and clicking throught the pedal. Flushing a few mls from the caliper bleed nipples produces cloudy fluid as the corrupt fluid comes out and then runs clear. Braking is then restored to normal.

I am told that once overheated, the fluid becomes compressible and is unservicable and needs to be renewed. Fortunately, the fluid does not overheat all the way back to the reservoir so only a small amount of boiled fluid is drained and a reservoir top up is required occasionally as the level falls.

Your problem should not relate to fluid boiling or the quality of the fluid, perhaps a faulty seal on the bleed nipple. My local specialist advised me against using silicone based fluids (mostly DOT 5 and 5.1) on the Audi due to the nature of the braking system and potential complications - don't ask me to elaborate on that as I don't know what they were.

However, I'm looking to get a DOT5 or above non silicone fluid or improved DOT 4 from OEM to reduce the chance of boiling the fluid and reduce the number of brake bleeds required and "scary pedal to the floor moments" when things get a bit lairy [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[DavidR]

Also FYI, some info re fluid boil temps (degree F)

Fresh vs Old fluid
DOT 5 500 355
DOT 4 445 310
DOT 3 400 285
SAE J1703 375 260

[wazza]

I'm looking to get a DOT5 or above non silicone fluid or improved DOT 4 from OEM

David, do you have any brands in mind? Mine is being flushed next Wednesday.
btw. I am having standard discs (EBC do not make my variant of S4 disc [img]images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]) but they have gone off to a machine shop to have grooves put in them. Also I will be using redstuff pads.
Fingers crossed [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[DJG]

Hi Paul,

Will be interested to hear how you get on with the red stuff pads.

Was quite suprised when EBC recommended them to me for my S4. From what I'd read previously I thought they would take too much warming up to be good for everyday use.

David

[DavidR]

David, do you have any brands in mind? Mine is being flushed next Wednesday.
btw. I am having standard discs (EBC do not make my variant of S4 disc [img]images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]) but they have gone off to a machine shop to have grooves put in them. Also I will be using redstuff pads.
Fingers crossed [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Not researched the brands yet, a local TVR specialist who runs race cars reccommended one brand but I connot recall which one.

FYI, I too grooved the OEM disc but all I noticed was more noise and grumble on heavy use and it still warped badly. I now have ungrooved OEM rotors which have been lathed on the car (following warpage) and run brilliantly. The dealer thinks I'm mad having bought 3 sets of discs over the last 4 months [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]