Brake Noise (Squealing)

[bing0r]

Not surprisingly, the squeaking came back the very next day. Took them a week to resolve ( or rather not resolve ) apparently waiting on Audi HQ.

I will most likely speak to them again and see what Audi have to say.

[Markp]

There is no fix.It is normal for a RS Audi. It will keep coming back.
We have tried to tell you......

[RS4John]

Unless you put Redstuffs in...had mine fitted yesterday. They come with an abrasive coating that aids the bedding in process - no squeal of course, if you are in UK then £171.12 fixes it (both front and back).

[Markp]

Unless you put Redstuffs in...had mine fitted yesterday. They come with an abrasive coating that aids the bedding in process - no squeal of course, if you are in UK then £171.12 fixes it (both front and back).

Hopefully....

[Brooner]

or alternatively just stamp on the brakes to clean off the pad deposit build up
always works for me if the brakes start to squeak

[c99]

How to Bed-in/Burnish Brake Pads and Discs: https://www.essexparts.com/support/learning-center--faq

[SteveoM]

So, same squealing for last 3k for me too. Interestingly cleaned the car on Fri, and noticed how the holes in the discs were pretty clogged.

Couple of blasts with jet wash (not on highest power!) cleared them a little.... no squealing for last three days. Could be coincidence, or could be a quick fix!

Anyone else found this?

[RS4John]

Was tidying up in the garage yesterday and junked the RS4's OEM disc pads - because the garage is most likely damp from time to time as cars are driven straight in when it's raining it was curious to see that the surface of the pads were flecked with rust...there is ferrous material in those pads. Metal on metal will squeak unless lubricated however not a viable option for friction materials.

[Markp]

Was tidying up in the garage yesterday and junked the RS4's OEM disc pads - because the garage is most likely damp from time to time as cars are driven straight in when it's raining it was curious to see that the surface of the pads were flecked with rust...there is ferrous material in those pads. Metal on metal will squeak unless lubricated however not a viable option for friction materials.

The opposite actually John - iron is used for high performance pads as it increases ability to handle heat and gives pad better friction under high loads, so is used in performance pads as in the RS. The downside is that it performs less well at low speeds. Copper is the other commonly used alternative and has the opposite properties - good at low speeds (and likely to be quieter) but can't cope so well with heavy brake loads. Put simply this is one of a number of reasons high performance pads squeal at low speed, and eat discs.

[RS4John]

Thanks Markp!

I'm pretty certain there isn't any iron in the EBC Redstuff pads - the boxes are labelled 'Ceramic'.

DP32277C - Front
DP32254C - Rear

Bedded in, better initial bite over the OEM pads and then noticeably more effective and of course little dust with minimal disc wear, not a lot not to like.

[Markp]

"Ceramic" are typically a mix of ceramic and copper (normally). No iron. But often harder on discs than non ceramic / iron based. But varies a lot from pad to pad. Basic overview here: https://www.searsauto.com/car-care-101/ ... brake-pads
Ceramics more expensive so less money for Audi

[RS4John]

From the EBC Redstuff product page https://ebcbrakes.com/product/redstuff-brake-pads/ - and the Technical information tab they wrote:

"This material is a aramid fibre based brake compound enhanced with ceramic particles. If you have previously tried EBC redstuff (pre-ceramic compound) this material is light years ahead. It lasts longer, it brakes better and is quieter. (John - In looking into Aramid Fibre as a disc pad compound I encountered a research paper that cited a tenfold decrease in disc wear).

Being a hard wearing pad, bed-in times can be as long as 1000 miles and drivers must be patient until the pad takes up the shape of their disc (brake rotor). This is a truly impressive fast road pad for repeated heavy braking.

It emits far less dust than semi-metallic pads and has been proven to stop a passenger car/sedan/sport compact/hot hatch 13 metres quicker than OEM pads from 100mph/160kph. Features EBC Brake-In surface coating which conditions rotor surface and accelerates pad bed-in. Nominal friction coefficient 0.5 with approx. 50% dust reduction.
Most EBC Red Ceramic pads are approved to ECE R90 brake safety regulation."

I can vouch for the 1000 mile bedding in period, as with the prior RSQ3, the disc rotors are being polished mirror-like rather than having the surface ground away. For myself I wanted to avoid the pain of needing new front discs at 30,000 miles as happened with the previous vehicle, and the 4's silver Edge wheels are a huge pain to keep clean so the very light brake dust/wash off with a sponge characteristics are welcomed.

[s4tokyo]

Have been reluctant to pitch in here because of inevitable flack outpour but, as it's an Audi Dealership recommendation and it works as a very S/T solution, I've opted go for it and share.

Re brake squealing, a band aid fix for driver not 'using' the brakes as firm and often as is ideal / not covering a lot of miles, 'a' short term countermeasure not recommended but used by Dealers here, is "Tapping Fluid" (spray).

4 dot squirts on the disks and you're ready to go - for a few days;-) ZERO squeal. If you're not driving hard, not in the market for changing pads, ....or for stomping on the brakes a few times at speed (as has wisely been recommended), then I can vouch for this alternative Plan 'other' S/T countermeasure.

The obvious reaction is that 'isn't that like putting oil on brake pads ...and inviting accident?', but I have not found any notable concern. Just 4 spray dots - a SMALL amount - around each disk and the irritating squeal disappears, for a while.

Not much value as a corrective countermeasure to most perhaps, but FWIW.

[johnnydog]

I know this is the B9 forum, but I had a lot of issues with the brakes on my B7 with judder which Audi rectified eventually under warranty with ceramics All the problems instantly went away and they were still performing superbly when I sold it some 5 years later.
This influenced my decision to get a B8 with ceramics, and 4 years on, no brake dust, no squeal, superb performance, plus they look tremendous with the massive disc and prominent grey caliper with the 'Audi Ceramic' logo!
Reading all this makes me glad I got a car with the ceramics option......!!!:thumbs:
Not that this helps you guys out there....sorry

[PieterZ]

Indeed, I have nothing to complain about neither.