I feel like the $425 they want to charge is too much? $425 getting the parts through them.

I have a 98 2.8 A4 non-quattro. Advanced Audi/VW service is the name I believe. They're sort of new at this location so I don't think they're super well known. Even me who is not up on the cost of eveything was shocked that pads and rotors + labor were 410-420 bucks. I was getting an estimate on front brakes if that helps, not all four corners. 410-420 was for OEM and he quoted $475 for mintex pads and Zimmerman rotors. I've been doing some research so I've seen what things cost. I was just hoping people could give some good suggestions or be willing to help me out. Thanks-

-S

i just replaced the pads on my moms car, cost me $24 i think for pads. anyway

you'll need a torque wrench, a large c-clamp, tube of grease, and spray on rotor cleaner stuff

1.remove your wheel
2.spray rotors to clean them
3.then there are two bolts on the top and bottom on the back side of the caliper (the side facing the car) remove those (make sure you know the torque spec to put them back on)
4.i think there are two more glide pin things that you have to take out also with a little rubber boot thing.
5.the caliper should be free, use the big c-clamp to compress the caliper
6.you should be able to just lift up the caliper, but remember do not hang the caliper from the break lines!
7. there should be two metal clip lookin things (look like paper clips) and remove these, and the break pads should come off.
8. put back on in reverse order and remember to grease the glide pin thingies so your breaks wont drag.
9. when you got it all back together and your wheel back on, unscrew the cap for the break fluid reservior and press down on the break peadal (it should go to the floor the first time, mabye pump it a couple times to bleed the lines) tighten back up and your done

sorry its not super descriptive but it gives you an idea as to what your in for, we have 5 cars in the family so it was a real plus to learn how to replace pads. i havent done it yet on my 89 90q (havent had it for that long) so it might be a litle different but thats how i remember doing my moms maxima. torque wrenches are expensive (cant afford one on a college budget) so borrow a friends. real easy job to do tho. =D

Michigan. Basically you drive down 3rd until you hit 24th and make a left if you're coming from downtown SF.

Maybe if you come out to Berkeley one saturday I can help. Tell me all that you have in mind...just bring the beer.

I remember I had to do that for my GTi. Had to bleed the lines in case there were "bubbles" after compressing the brakes.

that being the resivor, i dunno i didnt bleed the lines last time i did it, i think you need to bleed if you replace the fluid.

plug a hose to the little spiggot (sp) and then pump it out on all 4 corners until you no longer saw air bubbles.

never really figured out what happeneds if the air bubble is in the lines--brake fails?

The hardest part is finding a 7mm hex key.
Other than that, pads + rotors should only take a couple of hours (speaking from experience).

Talk to SFG performance. They might be able to fit you in. Look for Steve S posts. Check the thread in the URL below:<ul><li><a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1913982.phtml">http://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1913982.phtml</a</li></ul>