What Causes the Brake Noise in Audi A4L?
3 Answers
Audi A4L brake noise causes: Brake pads wearing out: First, check if the brake pads are nearly worn out (indicated by the warning shim). If they are new pads, inspect whether any foreign objects are stuck between the brake disc and the pads. Poor caliper reset: If the noise is continuous, first check for brake dragging. Poor caliper reset can cause prolonged friction between the disc and pads, leading to abnormal noise under certain conditions. Also, check for any foreign objects stuck between the pads and disc. If the pads are new, examine whether the brake disc has grooves, as localized friction can cause noise.
My A4L also experienced brake squealing issues last month, that sharp screeching sound was particularly annoying. When I took it to the shop for inspection, they found hard spots on the brake pad surface - the friction between metal particles and the rotor caused the strange noise. The technician said Audi OEM brake pads have high metal content, which makes this phenomenon especially common in low temperatures. Another possibility is rust on the rotor edges; moisture after rainy days can cause edge corrosion, and the initial friction between rust flakes and pads creates that awful squeal. Switching to ceramic brake pads made it much quieter now. I'd suggest gently applying the brakes a few times when starting the car cold - if the noise disappears, it's likely a material issue. Remember to focus on washing the inner wheel hub during regular car washes to remove accumulated brake dust, which can reduce the chance of squealing.
Having repaired German cars for over a decade, I've seen too many cases of Audi brake noise. The most common cause is the design characteristic of brake pads containing metal particles – they often squeak during the new car break-in period, but this usually resolves after driving 300-500 km. Secondly, check the surface flatness of the brake discs. If grooves are worn into them by the pads or if oil/dust contamination occurred during installation, sharp noises are inevitable. Additionally, insufficient lubrication of brake caliper guide pins can cause noise – these require regular maintenance. Pay special attention to brake pad thickness: when worn below 3mm, the metal wear indicator contacts the disc, producing a sound like fingernails on chalkboard. I recommend getting a professional brake system deep maintenance service and having suspension components inspected – sometimes aged lower control arm bushings can transmit noise too.
