How far on front brake pads?

[MJW]

Is there a DIY link to change brake pads for a B6?
My MFD tells me i need to check my pad so i'm guessing they'll need changing.

Curious to know how much pad is left at the time the low pad warning appears on the MDF? Is it absolute must do immediately or do you still have a a month or so to address?

[Pawnii]

Without taking the wheel off it looks like there's heaps of life left. Probably around 8mm on each pad. It wouldn't surprise me to get another 10k out of them. But it's prob not worth the risk.

I'm going to give some aftermarket pads a go.

Also AFAIK the sensor for the warning light is only on the front right pad on the B6 Passat so ill have to check the rears to see if they need replacing .


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[MJW]

Good to know. Thanks. I think I might pull a wheel off on the weekend & have a look for myself.

[brad]

Without taking the wheel off it looks like there's heaps of life left. Probably around 8mm on each pad. It wouldn't surprise me to get another 10k out of them. But it's prob not worth the risk.

They only have 10mm new, so unless the inners are wearing very quickly (ie: seized sliders) then the sensor is giving a false reading.

Pads should be changed when they are < the thickness of the backing plate - mainly for heat management. Most Euro cars will start to make grindy noises at about 2mm because of the stupid way the disks wear (the lip on the outside edge).

[MJW]

So generally what is the thickness of the backing plate? Given I am going to need to change both pads & discs I might as well get most use out of both even if that means I chew up the disc by letting the pads get a little low (assuming heat/fade doesn't become an issue of course).

[brad]

About 3mm

The fronts should be easy / straightforward.

Does your model have the electric park brake? If so, there's some electronic trickery required to retract the rear pistons.

[MJW]

About 3mm

The fronts should be easy / straightforward.

Does your model have the electric park brake? If so, there's some electronic trickery required to retract the rear pistons.

Thanks again Brad. It is the fronts so that's good I suppose from a labour point of view. Mine is one with the electric park brake. When it comes to the rears I will be guided by the "experts".

[ian]

Ian, what sort of car do you drive? Are they OEM pads/rotors? I engine brake as well to balance out the load & progressively brake unless something onforeseen happens (rare). Based on current wear, the only way I would get your sort of wear was by not using the pedal at all

No their the original pads, but being diesel it self brakes once you take your foot off the accelerator ,plus I always drive in defensive mode driving at least 3 cars in front . ive done 57,000KM

[Diesel_vert]

They only have 10mm new

Actually, for Passat B7 (since release) and CC (from 2011) models with the 3.6 l 220 kW engine, the front brake pads have a lining thickness of 13 mm, excluding back plate.

For all other Passat B5, B6, B7 & CC models, it's 14 mm, excl. back plate.

The warning light on the dash is supposed to come on when there's approximately 4 mm remaining (if equipped).

The wear limit is 2 mm.

Without taking the wheel off it looks like there's heaps of life left. Probably around 8mm on each pad.

As brad alluded to, it may be wise to verify exactly the condition of the brake pads to determine whether you are receiving a false reading or otherwise.

[Pawnii]

can anyone confirm that there is only one brake pad sensor on a B6 Passat? And if so, is it on the front driver pad?
I ask because my rear pads looks like they have less meat on them and maybe that's whats triggering the MFD warning light.

Also, what are good aftermarket pads and rotors to get?

thanks