Brake Pads - Questions

[sasquartch]

I've recently had the yellow warning light on the dash come up to indicate brake pad wear.

 

I replaced the front pads and other than the fact they squeak a little (hoping this is still because they are bedding in) they seem to work fine. Squeaking I think is improving with use - yes I did use copper grease on back of pads :lol:

 

When I changed the pads the electrical connector on the loom that connects to the brake pad came apart. I managed to push the brake pad connector into the damaged loom and with a small ty-rap the connection seemed fine. The loom seems to run fom a connector in the wheelarch to the brake pad and what I assume is something to do with the ABS.

 

However a couple of days use later the yellow light has come on a couple of times. Strangely not when actually braking.

 

Question 1 - does the yellow light come on when the wires are open or short circuit ?

 

Question 2 - is there only 1 sensor for all 4 wheels (the back brakes haven't been touched.

 

Question 3 - How thick should the back brake pads be when new - I'm guessing a lot thinner than the front.

 

The car is a 2005 TDi with 50k miles, brakes original until I changed the font pads (owned from new)

 

I used vag.com to see if any codes logged but could find nothing, no problems anywahere.

 

ANy advice welcomed !

[Mirez]

Question 1 - does the yellow light come on when the wires are open or short circuit ?

Its a ground circuit, when the pads wear though the circuit becomes open and the lamps lit.

 

Question 2 - is there only 1 sensor for all 4 wheels (the back brakes haven't been touched.

No, on the diesel there are two and the petrols normally have all 4. The TDI's use the LH Front and RH Rear pads.

 

Question 3 - How thick should the back brake pads be when new - I'm guessing a lot thinner than the front.

It will vary depending on make, normally its between 10 and 15mm with a minimum of typically 1.5mm.

 

Most times its because the cablings not been run correctly after replacing the pads sowhen the brakes are applied the small extra movement of the caliper is enough to break the circuit. Check that connector again, if need be get a replacement from a scrapyard and solder it in as thats the likely problem you have.

Edited May 26, 2010 by Mirez

[andy936]

I've recently had the yellow warning light on the dash come up to indicate brake pad wear.

 

I replaced the front pads and other than the fact they squeak a little (hoping this is still because they are bedding in) they seem to work fine. Squeaking I think is improving with use - yes I did use copper grease on back of pads :lol:

 

When I changed the pads the electrical connector on the loom that connects to the brake pad came apart. I managed to push the brake pad connector into the damaged loom and with a small ty-rap the connection seemed fine. The loom seems to run fom a connector in the wheelarch to the brake pad and what I assume is something to do with the ABS.

 

However a couple of days use later the yellow light has come on a couple of times. Strangely not when actually braking.

 

Question 1 - does the yellow light come on when the wires are open or short circuit ?

open cicuit

Question 2 - is there only 1 sensor for all 4 wheels (the back brakes haven't been touched.

1 on front - not sure on back

Question 3 - How thick should the back brake pads be when new - I'm guessing a lot thinner than the front.

????

The car is a 2005 TDi with 50k miles, brakes original until I changed the font pads (owned from new)

 

I used vag.com to see if any codes logged but could find nothing, no problems anywahere.

 

ANy advice welcomed !

 

you can buy the wire from where it plugs in in the arch up to the caliper from gsf or eurocarparts etc

[Jayton]

I'd double check the loom and maybe wrap it in electrical tape to try stop crud getting in between the connectors. and to secure it a bit more.

 

The rear pads are about 1cm at their thickest point in the middle (not measured just guestimate from looking at mine)

[sasquartch]

you can buy the wire from where it plugs in in the arch up to the caliper from gsf or eurocarparts etc

 

Any idea what the Eurocarparts part number is ?

 

Couldn't find the cable on the site anywhere :lol:

[Jayton]

Thanks for clearing up the ABS sensor, Mirez. I just received my front pads and noticed only 1 had a sensor.

 

 

Just got my front brakes from a place a friend works at, good price for Delphi brakes.

 

They may have the loom, their website (shameless plug for them) is http://www.vwsonline.co.uk/car_parts_bristol/

 

If you don't see it online give them a call :lol:

 

Just a quick question, Should the Front pads come with new bolts like the rears? :)

 

Sorry for the hijack...

Edited May 27, 2010 by Jayton