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Volkswagen Jetta Brakes and Rotors

167 messages,  Last post on Oct 26, 2009 at 11:42 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Jetta, Brakes, Sedan

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#1 of 167 brake rotor problems by 3mechauns Nov 15, 2007 (7:48 pm)
I have a '99 new body jetta, vr6, standard, with about 116k miles. About 2 years ago the brake rotors and pads were replaced by my mechanic b/c there was grooving on the rotors and a noticeable pulsing in the steering wheel when the brakes were applied. About 5 months later, the same symptoms appeared.   Befuddled, my mechanic thought perhaps defective rotors were installed. Genuine VW parts were not used. Because he was very skeptical, and had never seen rotors fail that quickly, he looked for any other brake related problems. They changed a brake line, and one other thing I cannot remember, but had explained to me that every possible thing that could be changed/fixed was the 2nd time they changed the rotors and pads again. He questioned my braking style. However, my argument was why would I not need rotors for the first 7 years of my car's driving history with me, have them replaced and then have my braking style make the rotors fail about 6 months later. Driver error didn't seem to make sense.   So...Here I am now with an appt. to change the rotors again, this time using genuine VW rotors. I am feeling like this is a bandaid approach and have fears that even with the VW rotors, I will end up with the same pulsating when the brakes are applied. The pulsating always starts out small and barely noticeable, as it progressively gets worse and worse. Someone suggested going to a new mechanic but I have been loyal to this shop b/c they are good guys and I have never had trust issues with them. The first time I paid for a full repair. The second time they only charged me for the parts. I do not know what they plan to do for this 3rd rotor replacement as far as the bill but I would be nervous to start somewhere new and the dealer's hourly charges are outrageous.   Any thoughts on what is going on with my braking system? Thanks! Kim Replies to this message: pat (Nov 16, 2007 2:33 am) jetta7 (Nov 16, 2007 8:29 am)
#2 of 167 Re: brake rotor problems [3mechauns] by pat HOST Nov 16, 2007 (2:33 am)
Replying to: 3mechauns (Nov 15, 2007 7:48 pm) Welcome to CarSpace.
#3 of 167 Re: brake rotor problems [3mechauns] by jetta7 Nov 16, 2007 (8:29 am)
Replying to: 3mechauns (Nov 15, 2007 7:48 pm) Check the ABS system, if you have ABS       Al
#4 of 167 Jetta Brake Problems by picaso Dec 16, 2007 (11:57 am)
I have a 2005 Jetta. At 40,000 miles I'm having to replace the rear brakes a second time. I've never had to do the fronts. My mechanic says this is how the german cars go. They brake harder on the rear brakes than the front. Having been a mechanic for years, I'm a bit skeptical. As far as I know no car in the world brakes that way. So, am I wrong when I think this is not proper brake wear? And if so, any ideas. Replies to this message: jetta7 (Dec 16, 2007 12:52 pm) jeffyscott (Dec 16, 2007 2:36 pm) dancerman (Dec 17, 2007 10:27 am) homerkc (Dec 24, 2007 6:20 am)
#5 of 167 Re: Jetta Brake Problems [picaso] by jetta7 Dec 16, 2007 (12:52 pm)
Replying to: picaso (Dec 16, 2007 11:57 am) There has to be a problem with the brakes. If you didn't buy the car new, perhaps the incorrect type pads were installed. I have a 2003 Jetta Station Wagon, TDI, and I just changed the pads for the first time, at 75,800, and still had plenty of pad left. I also changed the rotors, since it was cost effective.      I hope this helps in some way.               Al
#6 of 167 Re: Jetta Brake Problems [picaso] by jeffyscott Dec 16, 2007 (2:36 pm)
Replying to: picaso (Dec 16, 2007 11:57 am) I was told the same thing, that VWs tend to need rear brakes before fronts. Can't yet say if this has proven true for us as have not had to do brakes yet.
#7 of 167 Re: Jetta Brake Problems [picaso] by dancerman Dec 17, 2007 (10:27 am)
Replying to: picaso (Dec 16, 2007 11:57 am) I'm the original owner of a 2002 GLX VR6. I just put rear brakes on at 95,000 miles. The fronts are still 70-80%. This car sees alot of highway miles and that saves the pads. Jetta rear brakes always go first, though.
#8 of 167 Re: Jetta Brake Problems [picaso] by homerkc Dec 24, 2007 (6:20 am)
Replying to: picaso (Dec 16, 2007 11:57 am) I was told the same thing about "German cars" by the dealer where I bought my 2007 Jetta (brake dust from rear wheels was excessive.) Since that's NOT how front wheel cars work, with their high front weight bias, I took my car to another dealer. They spoke with VW and found that the rear calipers were bad - on some number of cars - and replaced mine with new and improved parts. It now works fine. Don't know if that was a problem in 2005 as well, but you may want to ask your dealer.
#9 of 167 VW Jetta Rear Brakes by handiman Jan 14, 2008 (4:45 am)
I took my 2006 Jetta TDI in for regular check at 11000 miles. I was informed that the rear disc brake pads were 70% worn already. I said "that is a bit premature isn't it"? They didn't really say it was or not and did tell me that it would cost $340 approximately for a brake job on the rear. I too though that most of the percentage of braking force was on the front and not the rear. My brakes have squeaked at least once a day. When I go to stop for the first or second time after just starting out on a drive, the brakes make a horrible noise sometimes. After driving through some switch-backs in the mountains, I can hear the rear brakes trying to slow me down on each curve with what sounds like a grinding noise. And there is way more brake dust on the rear then the front. So is this all normal? Before this car I had a 2004 New beetle TDI and it did have a dragging rear caliper that needed replaced early. what's the difference between the two brake systems besides the front wheel drive vs rear wheel drive and the Jetta out weighs the Beetle by 220 lbs? I drove both cars in the same manner. Is it possible that the brakes are under engineered as in the case for 1999 Chevy Suburbans where the brake was not capable of handling the weight of the vehicle and would wear prematurely?
#10 of 167 Jetta Brakes-Response to Handiman by jetta7 Jan 14, 2008 (8:38 am)
I Changed all four brake rotors and brake pads on my 2003 Jetta station wagon, TDI, Diesel, at 75,800 miles, and still had plenty of pad left. I decided to change the rotors, only because the old ones were badly rusted in the fin area, which helps to cool the rotors. I got the four rotors and pads from Advance Auto Parts at a cost of $197.24, with no core charge. Advance Auto Parts will sell you the special tool kit to install the pads, and when you have done the repairs, they will buy back the tool at full price, essentially, it is a tool loan. If you have used up the pads in as little as 11,000 miles, one of two things have occurred; 1. You did not need new pads, or 2. There is a malfunction of the brake system. I hope this helps you. Recommendation: Always have the mechanic show you the condition of the pads, or any other part, while it is still on the vehicle. You can also do a visual inspection by looking at the brake caliper through the rim, or from under the vehicle.

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