[V6-12v] Girling Rear brakes

[Elliott Potter]

Damien Gaboury wrote:
> 
> According to your comment Todd, the callipers appear to be very sensitive to
> that kind of problem.
> 
> So why ?? any suggestion ???

It's caused by two things:
- improperly rebuilt calipers
- lack of proper maintenance, i.e. lack of someone taking the wheels &
brake pads off the car every 15k miles or so to check the conditions of
the dust boots on the calipers.

Both of these might sound like blaming the driver/mechanic, but they
aren't (I don't work for Audi).  Overall the design of the calipers is
OK, I think, though it's obviously not perfect.  The guide pins are
heavily greased and are well-sealed by a dust seal -- it's damn near
airtight when you first grease everything up, and stays that way for a
while.
The problem is, who thinks about the pins?  You replace the pads, maybe
the rotors, but you rarely look at the rubber boots.  I rebuilt all four
calipers on my 90 a couple of months ago, because the seals were
starting to rot and crack...the only reason I noticed was because I was
putting anti-squeal compound on the pads (mumblemumble) so I had
everything off.  Otherwise, who takes their wheels off frequently to
check the rubber boots on the brakes?  Not me.....
The rebuild kits are roughly $15-$25/caliper from the dealer ... I
called Rod at TPC and he said that his prices weren't much better.  The
kits come with all the boots and seals, and a big packet of grease for
the guide pins ... use it all!

I'm not going to rebuilt my calipers every 75k miles now, but I'm going
to check them every 15k miles or so.  It's on the list of important
maintenance, ya know.  For those 80/90/100/A6/Coupe/Cabriolet owners who
haven't had a brake service in a while, you may want to take a gander at
your calipers some time, or have a mechanic do it if you don't feel
comfortable.


All in favor of Quattro List TSB's, say "Aye"  :)


Oh yea, with all of this talk about buying calipers, I have two rear
caliper assemblies, unknown condition, for sale cheap (first $40 takes
the pair).  If ya want rebuilt calipers, that can be arranged.  I'm
trying to reduce the weight of my big box o' spare parts....
--
Elliott