Dealer service issue - advice needed

**reverseworm** · 15-04-2011, 02:08 PM

Hi Everyone,

Need some advice on whether I have a case for a warranty claim or some other type of claim against the dealer.

Dropped the car off yesterday for the 45k service. I brought it in 1000kms early due to grinding on one of the rear brakes (metal on metal).

The dealer called later that arvo to say that they had to replace ALL pads and rotors because they were all worn. There was no grinding on any other wheel and after questioning him he said that they normally change rotors over when they change pads over. That has to be bullsh*t doesn't it? since when do you change rotors after 45k?

I asked him why the pads werent changed last service to avoid damage to the rotors and he said that they probably thought the pads would last and I would have been up for a rotor replacement anyway.

So my argument is that if I service the car at receommended intervals then there should be no reason for the brakes to wear so quickly unless they were supposed to have been changed at last service and were not. The car hasn't been raced or anything stupid like that so it should just be normal wear and tear.

Any similar probs? I am thinking of writing to the service manager and asking for the $1500 to be reimbursed.

**ian** · 15-04-2011, 02:29 PM

I alway ask the repairer to see any parts that have been replaced,
Did you give permission to carry out any work that might of been needed, with out firstly ringing you.

And $1500 sound just like some thing Ned Kelly would do, i would never go to a VW dealer for any brake work as there are plenty of reputable brake specialists around,Why don't you ring a couple of other VW dealers and ask for a quote to change the roters and pads.and a couple of brake places like Better brakes i'm sure it would cost about half of what youve paid .

**johnw** · 16-04-2011, 08:53 PM

Well I haven't actually paid for brake work on my V6 4 Mo as I only just got it.

But looking in the service history, all 4 rotors and pads were replaced at around 47K km, costing $1200 or so.

It is now 88K km and my front rotors have quite a lip on the edge, so I'm not surprised if they'll need to be change in the 90k service.

I guess it depends on the way the car is driven, these are quite heavy cars at around 1800kg no?

And yeah, it is expensive at the stealers.

I wonder if there is a harder rotor or softer pad available, I rather go through pads than rotors.

**Umai Naa!!** · 19-04-2011, 10:31 PM

It's not bull**** to have the rotors replaced with the pads.

Welcome to the world of Euro car ownership. They're designed to wear with the pads.

**brad** · 20-04-2011, 08:22 AM

Brake wear is entirely up to how the car is driven. If your rear brakes are metal/metal at 44,000km then at the 30,000km service they would have been down to about 3mm. This should have been noted on the service sheet & pointed out to you (as should the condition of the fronts). Is there anything on the 30,000km service report?

Did you ask the dealer to give you a price estimate after they inspect the brakes or did you tell them to "just fix 'em"?

The need to replace the discs would be dependant on whether they were machinable & still above the minimum thickness, although a lot of places don't like machining Euro discs as they are so soft & warp easily once they lose mass.

I would ask to look at the old parts and have them point out the problems. $1500 sounds about right from a dealer but you'd get it done for half that at an independent using aftermarket parts. Don't forget, it would have been 2 sets of pads, 4 rotors & the cables.

At a guess, I'd think you haven't a chance. Lesson learned I guess. Always ask for a quote before they commence work.

You better start saving for the 60,000km service. That's a doozy as well. I'd suggest you find a good independant.

**blutopless2** · 20-04-2011, 11:45 AM

if you dont think something is right when they phone you then dont approve for the work to be done. Go and get further advice from another dealer/mechanic etc before proceeding.
In my experience with late model Vdubs its not uncommon to replace the discs before 60000k's depending upon the model etc.

**Lams** · 20-04-2011, 01:49 PM

not any place can change brakes on a Tiggy/passat with that electric park brake. if the pistons are wind back by pure force it would almost certainly break the electric park brake, best to leave it to the VW people (not necessarily dealer)

**Umai Naa!!** · 20-04-2011, 02:08 PM

That's right. The calipers need to be retracted electronically, and then basic setting must be carried out. This is done using the VAS PC software that the dealership has.

Not following this will require new calipers (as forcing them back will strip the guts out of the motors), and once again, basic setting will be required.

**macdoc** · 20-04-2011, 10:09 PM

My car currently has 103,000K on the odometer, I inspected & measured the discs & pad thickness at 73,000 Kms and worked out a 'theroetical' life of about 180,000 Kms before FRONT discs will be on min thickness & front pads near metal.
Recent measurments at 93,000 Kms indicate still on track for 'theroetical' life of front brakes. Currently have lost 1mm exactly of metal on front front discs and have 5.5mm remaining on front pads. Wear limit of discs is 2mm, and new pads measure up at 10mm thickness.
The REAR pads I have just replaced at 93,000 Kms, with the 'thinest' pad measuring at about 1.5mm remaining. Rear disc's have less than 1mm of wear.
My driving consists of mixed highway & stop-start city traffic 90km per day on average. My original ContiSport2 tyres lasted 73,000Kms.

Disclaimer: Everyone drives differently! - don't rely on the above listed data for your own vehicle!

Macdoc.