Vauxhall Astra - Brake pad problem | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

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Sat 7 Sep 2013 15:26

Vauxhall Astra - Brake pad problem - Claire83

Hi,

I bought my Vauxhall Astra in 2010 and have a Lifetime Warranty on it. On 22nd July this year, I took it for its annual service and reactivation check. It was recorded on the report that I needed two tyres replacing and that the front pads had 20% of the lining worn and that the rear pads had 40% of the lining worn. At the time of the service, the mileage was 13962.

On 1st August, the car passed it's MOT but I was advised to get the rear brake pads replaced. I took it to Kwik Fit on 6th September for a brake inspection (I had only used my car on rare occasions since it's MOT) and they called me to say that the offside rear brake pad had worn away completely, as well as the brake disc. They also mentioned possible caliper failure and damage to the hose on their report. At this time the mileage was 14415.

It seemed extremely odd to the mechanic at Kwik Fit that a) the brake pads had worn down so quickly in such a new car and b) that in just over 450 miles the brake pad had worn down completely from 40% and the brake disc had broken.

I have taken the car back to the Vauxhall Servicing department, who are going to carry out a free inspection on Mon/Tues next week.

I really want to ask 5 questions before I go back to pick it up:

Is this amount of wear on brake pads normal/unusual?
How could the brake pads wear down so quickly? Is it possible that something was missed during the service?
If something was missed can I claim back what I paid for the service?
Should I have to pay for repair if Vauxhall missed something in the service?
Any other advice?

Thank you.

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Sat 7 Sep 2013 15:47

Vauxhall Astra - Brake pad problem - balleballe

1 - Definately not!

2 - Either something was missed on the service/were generous with how much pad left or the Kwif fit lad is telling porkies (unless you saw it yourself)

3 - Vauxhall should rectify it for you, thats as good as you'll get

4 - Maybe for a new pad but if the disk was damaged as a result of their negligence, then they should pay for that

5 - Dont allow yourself to be brushed aside! Take as stand

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Sat 7 Sep 2013 17:53

Vauxhall Astra - Brake pad problem - unthrottled

Take as stand

Don't waste your time. Brake pads and discs are considerd consumables and are normally excluded from the OEM warranty.

It's normal for infrequently used brake pads/discs to wear down within a relatively short mileage. The solution is a pair of drums on the rear axle, but unfortunately they don't appear to be considerdd fashionable any more.

Edit: The calipers/pistons do appear to be covered (unlike friction linings), so if the cause is sticky caliper, you could argue that it is coverd by the warranty.

Edited by unthrottled on 07/09/2013 at 18:01

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Sat 7 Sep 2013 18:09

Vauxhall Astra - Brake pad problem - daveyjp

I wouldn't trust what anyone (especially Kwikfit) said about brake wear unless I was there to see the problem.

Our Aygo front disks and pads were renewed at 16,000. Low mileage meant water had rusted the fins and as the pads spent time scraping off rust most of the time they wore much quicker.

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Sat 7 Sep 2013 18:54

Vauxhall Astra - Brake pad problem - Cyd

I'd say you've probably suffered a siezed sliding caliper. Given the vehicles age and relatively low miles I don't find this too surprising.

A siezed sliding caliper usually results in one pad being pushed against the disc constantly. This will wear the pad at an extraordinary rate and if unchecked will end up with metal to metal contact wrecking the disc too. On a longer journey the pad can get so hot as to smoke (happened to a girl friend of mine recently).

I've suffered this myself in the past. It's why I now dismantle one pair of brakes each annual service and clean and lube as necessary (that way each axle gets a service every two years, which is about 13k or so for my car).

I'd agree with Unthrottled. If the cause is a siezed caliper, then the repair ought to be covered (incl the pads).

If I were you I'd attend the dealers at the time of inspection and ask to see the damage whilst it's exposed.

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Sat 7 Sep 2013 19:57

Vauxhall Astra - Brake pad problem - oldroverboy.

My Chevrolet Cruze, (2011) same mechanicals as the current astra had the same problem this week, noticed that slight grinding noise pulling away, so booked it in at Kwick-fit where the manager was previously a good mate at National tyres, so showed me near side outer pad worn to the metal, (car serviced by Chevrolet 6 months ago) Happily no damage to disc, but handbrake mechanism sticking a bit, so cleaned and libricated as required and new pads fitted on rear, front calipers taken off and cleaned/lubricated as well. all caiper pistons compressed and checked too.

mechanics forbidden to use air wrenches so all work done properly and inspected. Torqued up correctly. well done Kwik-fit Carmarthen.

Cost £65.38 inc vat. Not complaining!

I also noticed that my car was built 2009, first registered 2011 so had stood at portbury docks for a long long time?

Hopefully your handbrake mechanism checked.

Edited by oldroverboy. on 07/09/2013 at 20:00

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