TT brakes failed!

bubblewrap

Hi everyone,

This was me yesterday - then I was

I have a '51 TT, 225 and have only had him 5 months.

Basically last week I was getting the (!) warning flashing up intermittently, pulled into a nearby garage (wish I hadn't), he said your front pads need doing, that will be £110 please, I said no thanks, my boyfriends mate looked at it and said the pads were fine although they will need doing at some point in the near future as they aren't fantastic but not bad enough to produce warnings.

Took it to a mechanic my boyfriend knows the weekend just gone - he said the brake fluid reservoir was practically empty so he filled it and told us to come back if the problem gets worse, again checked the discs and pads and said there is still a bit of meat on them.

Anyway, (!) disappeared and I had it on the drive all Sunday, never touched it, drove it to work Monday and the ESP light came on, my brakes were starting to feel a little spongey. On my way home the ESP light was off for a while but then came back on, by this point the brakes were getting noticeably worse and the bonnet started to smoke. Then the (!) came back on.

I drove a little further to where it would be safe to pull over and the brakes only just slowed my down enough to stop, they didn't actually stop me. I had my foot to the floor.

So I called Green Flag, they are amazing, arrived in 5 mins, that is better than the police!

As soon as he saw it, he said the brake fluid is leaking. So we have left it in the garage today, I am so sick with nerves at how much this will be and what it is because our mechanic goes away on Thursday and he said he would squeeze it in for us.

Another thing I need to mention, which some of you may be aware of, we have THE fuel gauge/dashpod problem and I broke down last month, we had someone out to tow us and he couldn't find the towing eye and connected it to the power steering pipe unbeknownst to us and it ripped right out, £300 later that was done, no probs, however could that incident have knocked the brake pipe or split it? Are they near to each other?

Also has anyone else had this brake problem and how much was it?

Please help, I am desperate!

mickdw

You cannot really blame this one on the car. It gave the warning before any problems and from there on it was handled v badly/dangerously by everyone who came in contact with it.
Right so the light was a fluid warning. First garage totally wrong & allowed you to drive off with a dangerous car. The pad warning is a diferent symbol.
Second guy sees fluid dangerously low, just tops it up and again allows you drive away without checking for any obvious leaks.
Finally after all this the car lets you down, Im not surprised. Just lucky you hadnt a serious accident. Ive had 2 brake failures down through the years and its not a nice experience. Both of them caused by pipes rubbing after dodgy workmanship. In your case, its difficult to know what it will cost. It most likely a flexi brake line that has leaked and this would be very little. It could be a piston in the caliper, if so, a few hundred I suppose.
I would also check to see did the guys who messed with the steering system leave anything rubbing on a brake line to cause this... its fairly common when clowns go messing with cars that they dont route a pipe the right way leading to this kind of problem

craichoe

bubblewrap wrote: »

Hi everyone,

This was me yesterday - then I was

I have a '51 TT, 225 and have only had him 5 months.

Basically last week I was getting the (!) warning flashing up intermittently, pulled into a nearby garage (wish I hadn't), he said your front pads need doing, that will be £110 please, I said no thanks, my boyfriends mate looked at it and said the pads were fine although they will need doing at some point in the near future as they aren't fantastic but not bad enough to produce warnings.

Took it to a mechanic my boyfriend knows the weekend just gone - he said the brake fluid reservoir was practically empty so he filled it and told us to come back if the problem gets worse, again checked the discs and pads and said there is still a bit of meat on them.

Anyway, (!) disappeared and I had it on the drive all Sunday, never touched it, drove it to work Monday and the ESP light came on, my brakes were starting to feel a little spongey. On my way home the ESP light was off for a while but then came back on, by this point the brakes were getting noticeably worse and the bonnet started to smoke. Then the (!) came back on.

I drove a little further to where it would be safe to pull over and the brakes only just slowed my down enough to stop, they didn't actually stop me. I had my foot to the floor.

So I called Green Flag, they are amazing, arrived in 5 mins, that is better than the police!

As soon as he saw it, he said the brake fluid is leaking. So we have left it in the garage today, I am so sick with nerves at how much this will be and what it is because our mechanic goes away on Thursday and he said he would squeeze it in for us.

Another thing I need to mention, which some of you may be aware of, we have THE fuel gauge/dashpod problem and I broke down last month, we had someone out to tow us and he couldn't find the towing eye and connected it to the power steering pipe unbeknownst to us and it ripped right out, £300 later that was done, no probs, however could that incident have knocked the brake pipe or split it? Are they near to each other?

Also has anyone else had this brake problem and how much was it?

Please help, I am desperate!

The bit in bold would have been a big red flag to me.
Brake fluid shouldnt disappear.

bubblewrap

Thank you Mick.

The last mechanic who has it now is very knowledgeable and the only reason he didn't have it up on the ramp was cos he was fully booked at the time and wasn't due off closing and said if it gets worse to come straight back Monday morning.

He was the one who rectified the power steering pipe so I am hoping he can make this right.

I agree the other garages were ridiculous to blame the pads and to be honest, if they were that bad, they would be grinding and I would have gotten them seen to.

The car was on it's way to the garage anyway and I only drove half a mile or so up the road after it started to smoke cos I was in a busy area at the time then got the recovery men in.

Yes it is a very scary experience.

I don't blame the car at all, although I have th dashpod problem, it is something that can be kept on top of if I can fill it each time in future. I refuse to pay £700 for it and Audi won't do goodwill because the last service was done by a specialist rather than the dealer. The previous owner threw money at it for fun, was so well looked after and Audi won't even help us.

Still waiting for a call..........:(

bubblewrap

craichoe wrote: »

The bit in bold would have been a big red flag to me.
Brake fluid shouldnt disappear.

Thank you for your reply. The mechanic said it is possible for it to lose SOME when the pads are wearing but said himself it isn't normal to be empty.

He said on a good note, if it has lost it that fast, then it will be easier to find but saying that it is how expensive the part/s is/are.

EPM

craichoe wrote: »

The bit in bold would have been a big red flag to me.
Brake fluid shouldnt disappear.

+1

I'd also find it hard to believe you would get a goodwill gesture on a car that is at least 7 years old too. Badly handled and shouldn't have been driven. Best of luck with getting it fixed, could be something small causing the leak

bubblewrap

Audi did have the goodwill thing going for older Audi's on the dashpo but changed it on 1st April (we bought the car towards the end of March and it was fine for a bit :rolleyes:).

I hope it is just a pipe or something. I hope I haven't done it damage by driving it but it was all so sudden, it started when I was nearly at work and couldn't get out at all because I am already covering for 3 people!

I know I shouldn't have driven it on the way back but I soon pulled over once the lights started coming back on.

What a nightmare.

craichoe

bubblewrap wrote: »

Thank you for your reply. The mechanic said it is possible for it to lose SOME when the pads are wearing but said himself it isn't normal to be empty.

He said on a good note, if it has lost it that fast, then it will be easier to find but saying that it is how expensive the part/s is/are.

I think you either misunderstood what he was saying or he didnt have a clue what he was talking about.

You don't 'lose' brake fluid, your pads wear down and the calipers are pushed further in, hence theres less brake fluid in the reservoir but it hasn't leaked out of something, its just in the caliper !

That guy is a total cowboy, to leave a customer drive out of a garage with a brake problem, i mean .. it boggles the mind.

When the (!) light comes on it just means the level indicator in the brake bluid reservoir is showing the level as dangerously low, theres even a bit of a delay, tbh i'm surprised you kept driving it when you noticed the braking ability had been reduced. Next push and it could have been foot into the floor and no brakes whatsoever.

mickdw

Just in relation to the dashpod problem. On the TT I had, the dash started to behave funny the odd time with clock needles moving for no reason. Strangly, when I fitted a new battery, everything was perfect. Maybe just coincidence.

Gary ITR

My first bit of advice would be to find a new mechanic. To let somebody drive off on dodgy brakes because you are too busy is a big no no.

Your problem could be a simple fix like a flexible brake hose or it could be a leaky master cylinder. As far as price in concerned.. well how long is a piece of string?

bubblewrap

Mmm, might be worth a try with the battery...it is a bit crazy sometimes but mostly ok.

I was as stupid as him for taking the car away. I know nothing about cars, I think most mechanics take the pee. To put somebody's life in danger is mad. Take the 1st mechanic, £110 for front pads and that wasn't even the problem! I wouldn't pay that price anyway, I could have front AND back discs AND pads fitted for £200.

Why do garages have to rip people off? Surely a good reputation will make more money than lying to make a quick buck.

Gary ITR

Pads and discs all round on a TT for £200?

bubblewrap

Well we were quoted £150 for discs and pads off a independent parts place/ebay etc and my boyfriend knows someone who works for Audi but it is in another town, he would do it as a foreigner but obv at the mo we can't get there. He would have done it for £50.

It is all such a pain!

Neilw

Onkle wrote: »

Pads and discs all round on a TT for £200?

bubblewrap wrote: »

Well we were quoted £150 for discs and pads off a independent parts place/ebay etc and my boyfriend knows someone who works for Audi but it is in another town, he would do it as a foreigner but obv at the mo we can't get there. He would have done it for £50.

It is all such a pain!

Genuine front discs are 110 euro a pair, thats for the 312x25mm, pads are about 38e, non vented rear discs about 18e each and rear pads about 20e. All genuine

Gary ITR

bubblewrap wrote: »

Well we were quoted £150 for discs and pads off a independent parts place/ebay etc and my boyfriend knows someone who works for Audi but it is in another town, he would do it as a foreigner but obv at the mo we can't get there. He would have done it for £50.

It is all such a pain!

You can't really compare ebay parts and a nixxer to a garage

bubblewrap

What is a nixxer?

Why do cars have to be so god damn expensive?!

Gary ITR

bubblewrap wrote: »

What is a nixxer?

Why do cars have to be so god damn expensive?!

A nixxer is when you get a mate to do it in their own time

bubblewrap

I see!

Yes you are right. It is all well and good getting it on the cheap but I would feel better getting it done 'properly', it is just my bf knows a lot of people and he doesn't like me taking it to people he doesn't know!

I am just keeping my fingers and toes crossed for some good news (well it will never be GOOD but I just hope it is something and nothing).

Still no call...I feel sick!

Gary ITR

bubblewrap wrote: »

I see!

Yes you are right. It is all well and good getting it on the cheap but I would feel better getting it done 'properly', it is just my bf knows a lot of people and he doesn't like me taking it to people he doesn't know!

I am just keeping my fingers and toes crossed for some good news (well it will never be GOOD but I just hope it is something and nothing).

Still no call...I feel sick!

I seem to remember you having issues with a mechanic before (I could be wrong) Am I right in thinking you are in the North? If so somebody on Vagdrivers.net will be able to recommend a decent mechanic to look at your car

bubblewrap

Yes, that was me! Don't seem to have much luck with them, they are seriously making me believe they are all cowboys!! lol

Thanks, I will take a look at that link. I am in Lancashire, not a very good place for mechanics it seems!

They see a nice car and assume I have lots of money so they rip me off.

Gary ITR

bubblewrap wrote: »

Yes, that was me! Don't seem to have much luck with them, they are seriously making me believe they are all cowboys!! lol

Thanks, I will take a look at that link. I am in Lancashire, not a very good place for mechanics it seems!

They see a nice car and assume I have lots of money so they rip me off.

Oh well then vagdrivers.net will be no good to you. It's 99% Irish people on there

You should get recommendations though. Stop going to cowboys

Anan1

bubblewrap wrote: »

Yes you are right. It is all well and good getting it on the cheap but I would feel better getting it done 'properly', it is just my bf knows a lot of people and he doesn't like me taking it to people he doesn't know!

I would have thought your bf would have eased off on that after the power steering episode.;)

bubblewrap

Oh well, thanks for that anyway, your help is much appreciated!

It is hard to distinguish between them though, don't fancy going to a dealer at £110 per hour! :eek:

Will have to look around...

bubblewrap

Anan1 wrote: »

I would have thought your bf would have eased off on that after the power steering episode.;)

LOL, very true! He wouldn't have chosen that particular one anyway had I not broken down near him, he was only 22! lol, shouldn't laugh, it left a huge dent in my purse and he won't budge on paying me back. :rolleyes:

The guy who has it now is someone who has done it from year dot and he is about 50ish I would say so hopefully he knows his stuff. He isn't in any rush to get back to me though is he?!

bubblewrap

Had a call back earlier, it has been sorted. A pipe had been rubbing on the brake pipe or something and had been doing so for a number of years according to the mechanic, the pipe is steel I have been told so it isn't the recent incident with the other garage as I originally thought. It is £150!

Collecting it tomorrow, as long as it is safe I do not care!

bubblewrap

Can I also just ask, from a man's point of view, what sort of questions I need to be asking when I pick him up, am sick of being treated like the dumb bird!

Neilw

bubblewrap wrote: »

Can I also just ask, from a man's point of view, what sort of questions I need to be asking when I pick him up, am sick of being treated like the dumb bird!

Ask him did he align the dilithium crystals and reset the flux capacitor

Only joking, just check the level in the reservoir is ok, press the brake pedal to make sure it does not sink to the floor with the engine on and off. There should be a good solid pedal.

Uoy could also ask him does the car need discs or pads replaced just to make sure.

bubblewrap

Neilw wrote: »

Ask him did he align the dilithium crystals and reset the flux capacitor .

HAHA! I will have to rehearse it on the bus!

Neilw wrote: »

Only joking, just check the level in the reservoir is ok, press the brake pedal to make sure it does not sink to the floor with the engine on and off. There should be a good solid pedal.

Uoy could also ask him does the car need discs or pads replaced just to make sure.

Thank you, will make sure he is tip top before I leave, don't want another scary episode!