Hi guys, new member here.

just curious regarding life span of brake pads.

I have had a A6 executive 66 plate from new,

the genuine brake pads did 50k miles in 4 years before I replace them. Discs were ok

I decided to test the pagid brand so I replaced all four pads

After 18K miles the back pads light came on and were worn down to the sensor 😳 front pads still 50% left.

don’t understand how the back pads went first, and why only 18K, checked to make sure back wheel are freely spinning no problem.

mechanic friend said it just one of other things, I am shocked that pagid only lasted 18K in 20 months.

I thought I’d ask the experts here, Any advise please or theory’s please

 

There are different types of pads to choose from when replacing. Organic, semi-metallic, ceramic, and other mixes. Organic brakes are quiet and grab quick, but they are dusty, fade with heavy use and wear very quickly. This is because they are made of organic materials and are “soft”. I’m guessing the pads you used were an OE spec organic compound (similar to what is stock on a non-sport spec Audi).
Since you didn’t replace the rotors at the same time, this also caused accelerated wear. The rotors were worn-in to your original pads, and then rapidly wore your new pads out because they were not broken-in as a pair.
I’m speculating that you used organic pads only due to the fact that they didn’t last long for you.

A personal theory of the rear pads wearing faster than the front is the parking brake is on the rear. The constant squeezing of the brakes when the park brake is used can cause some wear even if the car isn’t rolling when the park brake is engaged. It just adds additional fatigue to the pads being held under pressure. The outer layer of the pad then wears away faster due to the pressure degrading the pads composition or “glue” that binds the brake compound together.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the rear brakes are controlled to help with vehicle stability and hill descent control. This would mean the rear brakes are probably being activated much more than you are aware, especially down hill. The hill descent control is probably only using the rear brakes to hold the car stable in case of an icy patch or loose gravel (which would cause trouble for the car staying in a straight line).

I suspect there is a ton of engineering in electronic controls that utilizes the rear brakes unbeknown to the driver.

I currently have a C7.5 A6, and at 45k my rear brake light just came on. My fronts are at least at 50% or more remaining, so I have contemplated this same question myself, so these are the thoughts I have come to.

of course make sure your caliper pins are free to let the caliper “float”, but I’m sure you have mechanically checked everything, and you didn’t mention uneven wear in the rear brake pads.

I would consider using ceramic pads for a replacement, and absolutely replace the rotors too. The ceramic pads won’t grab as quick as organic pads, but they are quiet, and resist fade under high loads. They also don’t create dust. Make sure you follow proper break-in procedures to mate the pads to the rotor surface.

Best Luck!
-Shawn

 

Thanks Shawn,

much appreciated, brake pads used were pagid, I believe these are ceramic. I have also just found out they come with a 25 month or 25,000 miles warranty, but Kate now as they have been changed 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️