Can brakes wear out in 10 months?

Question

I have a VW Passat station wagon. We replaced both front and back brakes last November. Last month a terrible grinding in the back sent me running to the dealer's service dept. and they said that our front brakes had 10% usage, but the back had lost 90%. Is that possible?? Could it be that the dealership didn't replace the brakes last year like they said?

This happened 3 weeks ago and so I had the back ones replaced (again) at the tune of $660. I'm asking because I want to go back to them and take it up with the manager. Wish I had known to ask for the old parts. =(

Answer 1

Warning: I am not a expert VW mechanic, or any car for that matter, but logic and common sense apply here.

It does not seam possible to me that the front breaks were only at 10% and the back ones completely gone especially when they were changed at the same time! As long as your car did not do the same with previous break sets, the possibility of them not having installed it properly or at all is very high.

Do talk to the manager and possibly to your lawyer as well.

Answer 2

There is a servral reasons for this
#1 Breaks were installed to tight and were dragang
#2 The emergency break was on just a little.
#3 The emergency break was put on and when it was released the cable became stuck on
#4 The break drums were warped and not turned or replaces when the breaks were installed.

All these reasons can make the breaks wear out befor there time.

Answer 3

Rear brakes generally last much longer than front brakes. If you went back to the same dealership, I would find the service manager and ask him to check into this. It sounds like either your brakes are not properly adjusted or they were not replaced last time.

Answer 4

if you used the E-brake too much you could have worn them out easily, also they could have been bad ones that they had put on, they may have not been adjusted properly and left them to constantly rub. You should always get the old parts back to make sure because some places like to rip people off just because.

Answer 5

They could wear out if they were cheap brakes, poorly installed, or your cars break lines were not calibrated originally... but most likely 90% likely that the worker did not install the breaks... I recommend taking it to a different dealer or service station... breaks are easily replaced... it is not essential for a dealer to do it.... local car repair places are just fine.

Answer 6

Do you also get a wheel alignment once a year on your tires? What condition are your drums in?

If your drums are damaged they may wear out your breaks faster, also rocks and dirt getting in your breaks wont help. Are you hard on your breaks.

This is a tough question.

Some auto places will take advantage of female customers and that is sad.

I really dont think your breaks should be worn out by now.

But get your wheel alignment checked and also get your drums checked.

Answer 7

That is a good possibility. You should try to find anyone who has the same vehicle and see if this is an engineering problem. Volkswagon generally has some good engineering, so doubt that it could be that. I suspect you have guessed correctly.

Answer 8

possible ...your rear brakes are only about 30ish % of your braking . ive gone over two years without needing to replace mine. go kick some dealer rear ......but if you leave your E. brake on it could cause major damage

Answer 9

Maybe you did get ripped off, always ask to see the parts that were replaced

Answer 10

hhhmmm if they are drum brakes then maybe the self adjuster screws and rusted and making the shoes to tight.... or maybe the Dealership screwed u