New S4 - when bringing the car to a stop, at the very last few seconds before the car stops completely under braking, I am getting a high pitched squeal from the front end. It immediately stops when I release the brake pedal. Anyone else?

 

I had the same problem with my car a while back. I got rid of the noise on mine buy removing all the pads and taking a very small layer off with a belt grinder, then I cleaned all the parts with brake cleaner. Hope this helps.

 

Squeal usually indicates your brake pads need to be replaced. Don't let it go too long, or you'll end up buying rotors, and they aren't cheap.

 

My 2010 S4 is doing this too. It is very loud and quite embarrassing. I have already taken it in for service once; the reps said it is normal. Needlesstosay the car is going back in next week. I'll this forum posted one what they say after the second visit.

 

Certain types of pads will glaze and squeal like hurt pigs when after install they aren't 'set' right. Very few shops will break in your pads for you.

After you have installed the new pads, it is a good idea to break them in (unless the pads are the "fully cured" type that do not require an initial break-in period). Not breaking in a new set of pads increases your risk of pad glazing and brake noise. A driver can glaze and ruin a new set of pads if he fails to go easy on the brakes for the first 200 miles. If he overheats the brakes by mashing down on the brake pedal at every stop light, he can cook the resin in the pads before it can cure and glaze the pads.

Pads that require an initial break-in can usually be seated by making 20 to 30 easy stops from about 30 mph with at least 30 seconds between brake applications so the brake pads have enough time to cool.

Whether a new set of brake pads need to be broken-in or not, you should still test drive the vehicle to make sure the brakes are operating properly and that your efforts to eliminate the noise problem have been successful.