Brake pad sensors

[jbourne]

I'm still progressing in my quest to replace the brakes on this thing, so now I'm figuring out pad sensors. If I'm not mistaken, the rear is driven by detecting the distance of travel of the ebrake? caliper? so there's no sensor wire to buy.

The front APPEARS to have left and right sensors, part # 4F0615437 and 4F0615437B. I think if you buy OEM, they possibly come with the sensor, but the Brembos I bought do not seem to. I found a LEFT sensor on carparts4less, but I can't seem to find a RIGHT one.

Can I just buy 2x of the left sensor? Or are they different? Or is there only one required?

[c3nturi0n]

Suggestion: i'd return those pads if you could and buy ATE via ECP or CP4L.

ATE's seem to fit the car better (no squeaks, better stoping etc) and do come supplied with sensors.

Hope that helps!

[jbourne]

Oh really! Understood, thanks. Yes, my order actually failed, so I can re-order ATE. Thanks for the quick reply! Both for front and rear?

[c3nturi0n]

I can only vouch for fronts (my rears are still on OEMs but will replace them with ATE eq. when time comes).

If you are doing the pads/brake service, I'd suggest to get one of these as well and replace at the same time.
https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/p/ate-t ... Q0QAvD_BwE

All the best!

[jbourne]

Thanks, good thought there as well. I used to swear by ATE Blue, funny that they've recoloured it but kept it otherwise the same.

[welwynnick]

Can I just buy 2x of the left sensor? Or are they different? Or is there only one required?

It's not normal for each brake to have a wear sensor. There's often just one at the front and one at the rear.

Do you have VCDS?

Nick

[jbourne]

Can I just buy 2x of the left sensor? Or are they different? Or is there only one required?

It's not normal for each brake to have a wear sensor. There's often just one at the front and one at the rear.

Do you have VCDS?

Nick

Yes I do have VCDS, why? Also, it’s not unusual for there to be individual wear sensors - my 911 had a wear sensor on each corner (though logically speaking, I agree it’s a waste, since it’s not like the pads wear very differently between left and right), so that’s why I’m unsure.

[welwynnick]

It seems like a small thing to cheap out on, but I found even quite expensive cars only had one sensor per axle. The simple answer is to take the wheel off and see if there's a sensor there.

I asked about VCDS because you may need that to wind the handbrakes off, and it's not quite as trivial as it ought to be.

Nick

[jbourne]

It seems like a small thing to cheap out on, but I found even quite expensive cars only had one sensor per axle. The simple answer is to take the wheel off and see if there's a sensor there.

I asked about VCDS because you may need that to wind the handbrakes off, and it's not quite as trivial as it ought to be.

Nick

Ha that’s actually a good point! I’ll take a look.

But what’s this handbrake story? I just assumed if it’s off then I just wiggle the rear disc off - but it’s true that my cars have always had physical handbrakes. Is the procedure the same on RS and the more common A/S6s? I should read up.

[c3nturi0n]

Defo you will need VCDS for rear pads.

Not needed for fronts.

[welwynnick]

There's a specific and exacting procedure and open/close group codes for backing off the park brake, and you'll probably need to look it up on the Ross-Tech website. It's got all sorts of warnings about doing it right, and how garages don't like taking on the risk of getting it wrong and bricking a handbrake control module. It's ridiculous for something so simple.

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.ph ... king_Brake

Nick

[welwynnick]

Yeah, just push the pads back for the front brakes. Always push them all the way back before undoing the caliper, and always check the brake fluid reservoir level. Some muppet may have over-filled it, thinking they were topping it up when they shouldn't have.

nick

[jbourne]

There's a specific and exacting procedure and open/close group codes for backing off the park brake, and you'll probably need to look it up on the Ross-Tech website. It's got all sorts of warnings about doing it right, and how garages don't like taking on the risk of getting it wrong and bricking a handbrake control module. It's ridiculous for something so simple.

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.ph ... king_Brake

Nick

HOLY JESUS WHY IS EVERYTHING SO COMPLICATED WITH AUDI??!!!!??

[jbourne]

They say to attach a battery charger. Is this really required? I normally do my brakes in an empty parking lot...

[welwynnick]

Have you tried draining the engine oil yet?

I think the explanation is that they're trying to get their dealers to sell the cars cheaply but make loads and loads and loads of money on maintenance.