Re: brake job on '93 90CS

[Steve Manning <stephenm@ix.netcom.com>]

At 06:23 PM 1/3/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Well about 3000 miles ago I decided it was about time to change the
>brake pads/rotors on my '93 90CS, as they were 30,000 miles old and were
>squeaking a bit.  I put it off, waiting to get a little more cash, but
>now it looks like I'm going to change them Monday because I'm having
>trouble stopping the car.
>This means going with Audi OEM parts, unless anyone knows of anywhere in
>the Atlanta GA area that sells Pagids/Deluxe Organics/etc.
>
>Has anyone done this job before?  I'm not sure if I want to attempt it
>or if I should take it to a garage to have it done.  I have the factory
>manual but it looks far too easy so I'm sure they're not telling me
>something.  I don't have any experience in this so if it is excessively
>complicated let me know and I won't even try.

Elliott - actually, changing pads is a pretty easy job.  You might want to
consider a few things:
- Do you need new rotors at the same time?
- Brake work is usually not that hard, but you have to be careful.  The
consequences of getting it wrong can be fairly high.  On the other hand, if
you know what you are doing, you can always do a better job than someone
you hire because you care more about the car and can afford the time to do
it best.
- Sqeaking is not that unusual as brakes put on the miles; are you sure you
need new pads?  I know you said you were having trouble stopping the car,
but I'm not sure specifically what you meant.  Are you sure pads are the
problem?
- Actually Audi OEM pads are not that bad; they are expensive though.  If
you can wait you can save a bunch of money either getting OEM pads
mail-order from Carlsen or whatever, or getting 3rd party pads.
- If you know someone who is experienced who can watch you the first time
while you gain confidence, and make sure you don't do something major
wrong, that would be helpful.

Just my thoughts..........SLM

Steve Manning:  stephenm@ix.netcom.com
...Physical home: Metro D.C. area, USA
.....Virtual home:  http://www.stationwagon.com