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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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#61 of 167 99-03 Front/Rear Brakes by alcu77 Aug 09, 2008 (5:22 pm)
To all,   I am an Engineer who used to work for the OEM of Jetta Brakes (through 03 model). There are rigorous Dyno and Wear tests that are performed on pads, and typical minimum mileage is usually 50K miles. There is no way brakes should wear before then. When I was working for this manufacturer, we never had any complaints or recalls from VW, and all customers were very satisfied (Toyota, Honda, VW, Chrysler). I can honestly say that 99-03 VW brakes themselves are designed, manufactured very well, and are extremely reliable. Although, it is correct that poorly designed calipers have caused increased brake wear on certain vehicles. The dealer will not admit this b/c they would have to replace calipers + brakes, and since caliper wear is impossible ... they blame defectiveness on brakes + owner. When I purchased my 03 Jetta TDI back in 2004, VW had worst reputation, and was voted worst by consumer reports for dealare customer satisfaction, so I am not surprised by everyone's complaints. FYI, if a dealer tells you it's time to replace your breaks, ask them to tell you how much wear in (mm) the pads have. then ask to see the pads. If they cant pull them off, then ask them to bring you to the vehicle, and measure the brakes in front of you. Why? because there are VW wear specs for brakes. I purchased a VW Jetta, Golf, GTI service manual for 99-03 models (published by Bentley Publishers) which contains documented service instructions for areas of the vehicle (Engine, suspension, brakes, HVAC, electrical, transmission, body, interior, steering, clutch, exhaust, trim, etc) this manual has pictures, diagrams, step-by-step instruction, specs, wiring diagrams, etc) it has everything the owner needs to troubleshoot, identify, and fix the issue. And if you can't fix the issue yourself, at the very least it prevents you from being ripped off by the dealer of other mechanic. Ebay - $80. Anyways, the wear limits for 99-03 Jetta, Golf, GTI is: 1.8/2.8L (FN3 caliper) Front: (both pads) - 7.0 mm thickness (including backing plate). Rear: (both pads) - 7.5 mm thickness (including backing plate). for 1.9/2.0L (FSIII caliper) - Front: (both pads) - 7.0 mm thickness (including backing plate). Rear: (both pads) - 7.5 mm thickness (including backing plate). for all of the above pads, the new pad thickness is 14mm for fronts, and 9mm for Rears. this means that for 99-03 models the front brakes work harder, hence the reason for thicker friction material, and therefore will wear out faster than the rears. Also, you should not have to change the front brakes until the electonic wear sensor indicates change needed via your info panel next to the speedometer. The rears do not have wear sensors. My Jetta has 92K miles, and I have not changed either the front or rears. Th reason I accessed this forum was because I am experiencing squeeling, but the brakes do not look that worn, and the rotors are not scored. I may be getting down close to the friction underlayer (used to absorb noise and vibration) becuase I can see more brkae dust than usual at the rear. I hope this helps anyone who is in need. Overall, my Jetta has performed well, but has had several issues. At 80K miles the bearings seized in my alternator and I lost power steering and a pulley belt. Cost me $350 for new alternator and labor (not at the dealer) . Now I am experiencing A/C issues where I cannot get cold air when I turn to full blast, or I turn on my recirc button. In closing, I suggest never going to the delaer after warranty expires, and try to find a reputable mechanic (by a friends referal only). For TDI owners, and VW owners in general, Try these websites also:   www.TDIClub.com www.TDIparts.com www.illicitvw.com Replies to this message: Christina1226 (Feb 01, 2009 9:36 am)
#62 of 167 to alcu77 by trepine Aug 12, 2008 (1:35 pm)
Thank you very much for your post. very helpful I'm curious if you have any specific comments for my case with no brakes at 4200 miles, and how you, as a brake engineer, might have approached things with my dealer. their assertion to me was basically so preposterous that I didn't even know how to argue it...certainly didn't do it right b/c I ended up having to go off warranty and pay out of pocket outside of VW to get my brakes fixed and get reasonable customer service. very interested in your reply: 1) is it possible to have no brakes/damaged rotors on both rear brakes on a 2008 VW Jetta in 4200 miles? 2) how would you explain this if it is possible--driver error? thanks   oh, and btw, I'm gonna take your post #61 and shove it up my dealer's ass, or wallpaper his car with it and snot/superglue , or make it into a banner behind an airplane and fly circles around his dealership all day and then parachute out of the plane using a big blown up version of it as my parachute, and then stuff the parachute version...up his ass too. thanks Tom
#63 of 167 Re: 06 Jetta [20jetta06] by sdgirl13 Aug 16, 2008 (11:29 am)
Replying to: 20jetta06 (Aug 02, 2008 8:40 pm) I have a 2006 Passat and am experiencing the same thing...and am shocked that they brakes and the rotors go so quickly. Does anyone know if the Passat has the same brake system as the Jetta? There are a lot of posts on here and I haven't read them all yet (just found the site) but is there a defect on the car? Is there a reason to press the dealer to fix it for free?? Help!
#64 of 167 2007 vw wolfsburg jetta by jam2989 Aug 18, 2008 (4:57 pm)
hi everyone, its really funny because i just stumbled on this forum and found my exact problem that all of us have in common, i leased my 2007 vw wolfsburg edition jetta in may 2007 and i now have almost 22,000 miles on the car. my rear brakes started sounding like metal rubbing together and i realized that there was a problem. my step dad is a mechanic and he looked at the car and said that the rear brakes are shot. i had a ford explorer before this car and only needed the brakes changed once in the ten year period that my family had the car. my step dad says that a car with only 22,000 miles should not need the brakes changed so soon, especially the rear ones. and to top it off the vw dealers have special bolts on the brake parts so you can only get the done at the dealer. this is ridiculous. Replies to this message: rshaker90 (Aug 19, 2008 7:38 am)
#65 of 167 Re: 2007 vw wolfsburg jetta [jam2989] by rshaker90 Aug 19, 2008 (7:38 am)
Replying to: jam2989 (Aug 18, 2008 4:57 pm) It seems on all newer VWs the rears will wear much faster than the fronts will mainly because of how the braking power is distrubted. My solution is to either deal with it or stay away from the VWs. It's just how VW set up their brake system and it's not a defect the dealer will even take care of. I purchased the tool for the rear brakes for $25 so I'll just do it myself because if you take it to the dealer, they will agrue with you till you agree to get new pads and new rotors everytime. I had my old rotors checked and they still were far within spec after 35,000+ miles.
#66 of 167 Jetta Rotors and no help from VW or Dealer by johnnytoobad Aug 20, 2008 (1:38 pm)
I have a 2000 Jetta GLS with 98.5K miles, purchased for my 16 year old daughter. In February I replaced the front pads and rotors. Now the rotors need to be replaced again after only 3642 miles and 5 months. The pads, however, are fine, very little wear. According to the dealer, the rotors are rusted and pitted, "due to outside influences", i.e. rain or humidity. Both VW and the dealer refuse to stand by the 12 mo warranty. They said "perhaps she doesn't drive it enough", or "it must have sat too long without being driven", both not true.   This is interesting because I also have a 2003 Jetta that sits next to the 2000 in the driveway and has none of the same problems, i.e. shaking when braking. Anybody have any ideas?   Thanks Replies to this message: rshaker90 (Aug 21, 2008 4:00 am)
#67 of 167 Saabs have rear brake wear out too by m6user Aug 20, 2008 (8:15 pm)
Kind of interesting that over on the Saab forums I see a lot of problems with the rear brakes wearing out at 20-25k also. Maybe it's a Euro thing.
#68 of 167 Re: Jetta Rotors and no help from VW or Dealer [johnnytoobad] by rshaker90 Aug 21, 2008 (4:00 am)
Replying to: johnnytoobad (Aug 20, 2008 1:38 pm) Did you have the brakes replaced at a VW dealership or a used car dealership? If it was a used car dealership that I think was the problem. I had a buddy who worked at one place by me and the stories he told me of how what the did to get the cars off the lots were amazing, he couldn't take that so he finally let. One think he said the dealership would do is use old rotors from junk yards tad inches of rust on them and just cut them to make them look fresh (even if the thickness of the rotor was out of spec) and through some pads on them. And since they are the ones to do your inspection, you as the customer didn't know anything until it was to late. No saying that's what happened to you but I wouldn't be surprised in this day and age of cost cutting.
#69 of 167 rshaker90 by johnnytoobad Aug 21, 2008 (8:54 am)
Thanks-but the rotors and pads were replaced at the VW dealer.
#70 of 167 can't spell vaginal discharge wildpileoshit without VW by trepine Aug 21, 2008 (9:43 am)
Dear Johnnytoobad, welcome to my world and to our club. You're not in El Paso are you? Don't worry it's just your daughter driving around with no brakes did the dealer specify the "outside influences", sounds like the old blame game they gave me telling me it was my fault that the brakes burned out to metal on metal in 4200 miles on a brand new 2008 jetta b/c I sucked at driving. Have you ever heard of customer service like this???     no matter what, make sure you file a complaint with the national complaint line about this (see my previous posts for number) and tell them to addend it to my file Tom Repine from El Paso TX b/c VW still believes that there isn't any known problem about this--and I'm glad to show them the error of their ways.   Thanks Tom Replies to this message: johnnytoobad (Aug 22, 2008 2:35 pm)

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