1st Generation Audi TT Squeaky and Noisy Brakes

Audi unveiled the TT as a concept sports car in the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show, although its eventual release was delayed due to the use of a new laser welding system while assembling the vehicle. Named by Car and Driver as one of the top ten best cars of 2000 and 2001, the 1st generation TT, produced from 1998 to 2006, wowed consumers and critics across the globe. Some owners experience squeaky or noisy breaks.

A car’s breaks are unspeakably important. Every time we get into our cars and drive anywhere, we rely heavily on the breaks to keep us—and everyone around us—alive. Therefore, any sort of unusual activity coming from that sector of the car is alarming. Breaks should do their job quietly and steadily, and any noise gives rise to the question, “Do these things actually work?” Many TT owners complain of the squeaky and noisy breaks, often saying that the breaks protest loudly any and every time they are used.

Traditionally, squeaky or squealing breaks indicate the need to have the break pads and rotors replaced. Overtime, these two components do wear down, making the breaks more and more spongy in the process, and eventually they will fail completely. A less serious—although slightly more aggravating—condition is one that Audi claims is the primary reason for the TT’s noisy breaks. During the design, Audi switched what sort of material they used to construct the breaks, and they say that this new material, although stronger, produces a tremendous amount of noise.

Because nothing can replace a professional’s opinion, taking your car in for a checkup is always a good idea in these situations. Leaving potentially worn-out breaks on your car could lead to serious accidents, and a nearby Audi maintenance shop can tell you whether or not the noise comes from a new design or from bad breaks.

Search for a local, independent Audi repair shop with Audi mechanics that have dealer-level expertise at a fraction of the expense.