Front discs and pads question

obi604

Hi,

I have a VW id4. 2021 with 77,000 KM. Lately, when I am breaking at low speeds, it has not been smooth, it’s jerky…….And in general the brakes just seem a bit off. Like I press the break and get feedback through it and its all just very jerky.

Brought the car to a garage today and they said I need to replace front discs and front brake pads. They mentioned the word warped. I took some pics when wheel was off.

My knowledge of what to look for is useless and maybe cannot be seen from theses photos either - but thoughts on how these discs look?

Banjo Carney

If it's shuddering when braking it's more than likely the discs are warped. You can't tell by just looking at them. You can check for run out with a dial gauge.

standardg60

Disc looks scored, like there's something stuck between it and the pad. A warped disc would be way more obvious braking from higher speeds rather than lower.

BrianD3

i read before that "warped" brake discs is a myth and that what actually happens is uneven deposition of pad material. Your discs don't look great - not surprising on an EV with regen braking. Brake discs that don't get enough use will rust and score. AFAIK this is part of the reason why VW fits rear drum brakes to some of its EVs.

Lenar3556

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122970296#Comment_122970296

They can actually warp. Rapid cooling caused by driving into water when discs are hot is one cause.

obi604

Lets forget I mentioned the word warped, otherwise it will turn in to arguments over can discs warp etc Regardless of this, it seems like my discs don't look in the best of shape

obi604

Who much ballpark would it cost to replace the front disks and pads at an independent garage using not cheap but decent quality parts?

I guess its a big enough car so discs and pads may cost a bit more

User1998

€250 or so

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974069#Comment_122974069

is this the full cost with labour and vat etc

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974074#Comment_122974074

Yes, rough estimate. VW Golf costs me about €180 all in trade price, so I’d say yours will be €250+ retail price

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974093#Comment_122974093

hmmmm, I got quoted this from a local tyre place who have done work for me in the past at decent prices, but below seems a bit excessive. 485 Euro.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974353#Comment_122974353

To be honest the labour is OK, I usually pay €100 inc VAT. The discs seem OK too but the brake pads are expensive. You can get a decent set of brake pads on Autodoc for like €55

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974447#Comment_122974447

so maybe a bit high by about 80/100 euro?

could get for 380 essentially, and even with this, it’s still 130 more than the €250 mentioned above 😬

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974499#Comment_122974499

Well you could get Delphi pads & discs for €185 and labour for about €100 if you wanted to go that route, but a local mechanic isn’t going to match Autodoc pricing. They are buying them from the local motor factors and adding on a profit for themselves too. I just wasn’t expecting the parts to be that much more than a VW Golf

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974499#Comment_122974499

How did the tyre place diagnose the issue?

Did they bring it for a test drive/check fluid level/swing off the caliper and check for debris/check the disc for trueness, or did they just take the wheel off and look? Before you part with 500 of your hard earned I'd be ensuring that's the issue.

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974584#Comment_122974584

Twas just the later, take wheel off and look

BrianD3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974353#Comment_122974353

120 euro labour from a tyre place is bad. A quick look on ebay and some parts websites shows wide variation in pad prices - 120 is high but ballpark correct. Disc prices seem OK.

From your pics, your pads have loads of life left on them. The discs look scored and deposition of pad material may be an issue rather than "warping". Before splashing out 485 quid, I'd be trying to clean the discs, including with repeated hard stops to see if that improves matters.

Needing brakes after 77k kms on an EV with regen braking and it costing 485 quid from a tyre place for front brakes (how much would it be from VW) is very disappointing. Also, I'd be looking into DIYing the job.

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974593#Comment_122974593

as in the 120 should be more like 80 for labour is it? 120 labour is essentially tyre fitters doing the job, not dissing them etc but just seems a bit much.

Price for this job from Volkswagen is 780 euro !!!

the costs are just very disappointing all round. And not an ideal time to be looking for quotes 😬

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974590#Comment_122974590

Tyre places replace discs and pads, no matter what you rock up with that's what they'll say and if it doesn't work they'll tell you to bring it to a garage.

Save your money, invest in a socket set and look up how to remove a caliper, it's easy. As above your pads are fine, your discs certainly shouldn't be warped with such low mileage and regen. Check your fluid level.

Or just bring it to a proper mechanic who'll at least drive the thing first before telling you what's wrong.

Bigus

No wear on those pads and discs , I’d be inclined to get an independent mechanic to clean the surfaces pads and discs with emery/sand paper first , alternatively try some very heavy braking going down a mountain.

BrianD3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974634#Comment_122974634

Yes, I'd be thinking 80 or less - front brake discs and pads is a very straightforward job for a mechanic. Piece of piss, especially if using a lift.

Then again, there is so much money sloshing around the country now that my concept of the market and a fair price may be out of date. If VW are charging 780, shur 485 must be a "bargain"

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974690#Comment_122974690

This is it, the place is gone mad, like 780 is just ridiculous. 485 is bad, but then compared to 780 its not too bad. I don't know what the world is coming to.

and thing is, they are just the standard tyre fitters doing the job, not mechanics etc

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974593#Comment_122974593

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974690#Comment_122974690

€120 including VAT isn’t bad. I pay €100 inc VAT but I get trade price. Theres only one mechanic I know who would do that job for €80 and he is cash only with no receipt.

blackvalley

Slightly off topic but just an indication of VW prices and practices. Seems as if they go directly to the REPLACE option . Two years ago VW main dealer quoted €1400 - €1600 to repair the aircon system in my Jetta. That quote was for replacement of compressor, radiator etc etc etc. Brought it to a specialist aircon maintenance spot where in twenty minutes they did a complete diagnosis test, re gassed the system and two years later it is still functioning perfectly. All for the princely sum of €80.

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974740#Comment_122974740

its 120 euro + vat for labour so 136 and as I said, its not a mechanic, its the tyre fitter lads

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974777#Comment_122974777

Ah okay that’s expensive so. Those commercial tyre centres have big overheads tho so I wouldn’t expect them to be any cheaper than a regular mechanic.

obi604

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974785#Comment_122974785

its not a quik fit or an advance type place either, just a local standalone place

lalababa

Your best bet would be to go to a trusted independent garage for a diagnosis. Ask people locally or see if any pop up on Google map reviews etc. Unfortunately prices have gotten out of hand in lots of areas especially in car repairs as there a very few apprentices comming through. Even a cheap independent can be asking up to 100euros p.h. and beyond. And don't get me started on main dealers.