Hi, I have a 2002 Audi A4 3.0 Quattro. A few months back the brake light came on and sure enough, the front pads needed to be replaced. I replaced with someaftermarket brand and they worked fine for about 3 weeks. Then this weird noise started. If I am decelerating somehwere from 20mph and slower, I hear a clank. Sounds like metal hitting metal. It sounds like the pad hitting the rotor. I pulled the front wheels off and checked the caliper bolts for tightness (good) and checked the pads for play (seemed good-no play). Took them apart and put them back together-still makes the one clank each time I hit the brakes at low speed. I took it to a tire/wheel mechanic and they took it apart and put it back together and stated that everything looks fine, but, it still makes noise. They suggested replacing the rotors or that the pads may be the wrong size. So I replaced the front pads with a different brand and the sound went away. 2 weeks later, the sound is back. This noise happens with soft pressure applied to the brake pedal at low speed or coming to a stop. Can not replacing the brakes all the way around cause this (doing the rear brakes tomorrow) or what else????? I'm lost and really annoyed/embarased about the sound they make. The only good news it that they work great-just make a metal against metal clank. Any help appreciated please. If you live in Goldsboro NC and know what to do-I'll buy the beer.

Thanks

 

not the brakes, probably control arm ball joints, the whole control arm needs to be replaced. FCP Groton sells a great 13pc kit on ebay. They are good from what I hear and around $200 cheaper than ECS.

 

Thank you for the reply-is there a way to verify if they have gone bad. I saw the ket on ebay for $449+40 shipped--ouch. Are these somewhat easily replaceable, like in a home garage? Without special german engineered tools?

Thanks again!

 

to check them, grab the center of one with your hand and twist every which way possible. it should be pretty rigid. also check the boots for tears.
yes they can be done at home. make sure to spray all the bolts with PB Blaster a couple days ahead and spray more the day your going to do the work. you would need 16-19mm wrenches and same size sockets and a breaker bar. make sure you jack the car up and keep it stable. another thing you need is alot of strength lol. if you can a helper whos very strong you'll be able to do everything in about 6-8 hours depending on how knowledgable you are. there aren't really any tricks to it. do the top first and then the bottom. if the kit your talking about includes tie rods, make sure they are put back the same length. last of all get an alignment check after you've finished the work. if the check comes out pretty bad, get it aligned.

 

^+1 search for the DIY here, there's a link somewhere, I was on it earlier today.
on ebay motors, type in a4 control arms, never mind, here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-...spagenameZWDVW

OPPS, those are B5 and you are B6, but find your set from that seller.

 

If the sound went away after replacing the brakes (before the sound came back again) I doubt its the control arms. Control arms are more of an issue on B5's. What is the brand of the pads? Its possible that the pads are somewhat lose in the carrier, and when you apply the brakes they nudge forward and hit the carrier. Get the caliper(s) off and check for play between the pads and carrier. Im guessing though thats why they might have thought you had the wrong size. Where did you get your parts?

 

The pads are Bendix. The play was exactly what I was thinking, but why do both (different brand pads) work for a couple of weeks and then start the silly noise. So, if there is play, then my options are new calipers, or procurring/manufacturing some sort of spacer to ensure the pads fit snug. Anyone ever done this-or would they bother? Drawings welcome.

Thank you for all the replies-very much appreciated.

 

My front brakes do the same thing.....i found out that whom ever did the brakes before i bought the car, didn't put the clips back on the inner pads....( anti rattle clips ). I've searched for them and most places sell them, there only like 4 dollors. I just haven't done it yet, been too busy on my other cars.

Hope this helps.

 

That was my first thought (the clips). I got a new set from carquest-got excited, but no help. I just got done doing the rear brake pads-man, who the hell puts allen bolts on calipers--jeeze, what a pain. Gonna mess around in the front and see if anything is loose. Anyone else have ideas before I fire bomb a car for a silly noise-j/k. But really-helllppppppp. Danka.

 

haha, i found that out and changed mine. i had inner pad noise when my front pads were changed. the inner ones where just flopping around like a flag on a pole. i took everything apart and put them back correctly and haven't heard a peep. it's been 4 months haha. have you checked the control arms? also, i could hear mine like once of twice when i kicked my tire really hard.