Rear brake pad wear

[V5Ade]

My wifes car (53 plate A3 130tdi) had it's 3rd service last week. The dealer called up to say there is only about 3k miles left in the rear pads. We've had the car from new, it done 51k but never had front pads so I was suprised that the rears have gone first.
The car has the same brake set up as the TDI Leon\Golf so I was wondering if any of you guys have had to replace the rears before the fronts?

 

[sssstew]

could be that they were binding due to a sticky piston. or the rears always get corrosion on the plates which the pads slide on thus stopping them moving in and out properly.

 

[V5Ade]

Okay, I'll strip them down to take a look.
Don't suppose anyone has a part number for the rear pads (same as a 130 tdi Leon)?

 

[sssstew]

dont worry about the part number, just go to your local motor factor and ask for the pads.

If your taking them apart then a caliper wind-back tool makes putting them back together easier.

 

[oedwards]

After trying to wind-back the piston with out a wind-back tool I felt suicidal. Defiantly save yourself some hassle and get that tool involved.

Ta

 

[Reg]

Nevermind the rear pads, I can't believe you have managed to get 51k out of the fronts! Thats amazing!

 

[seatstu]

nothing to worry about, my 02 plate golf estate had new rear discs and pads at 60k without anything done to the front brakes. dealer said this was not uncommon.

 

[Brucel]

Nevermind the rear pads, I can't believe you have managed to get 51k out of the fronts! Thats amazing!

I agree with Reg how the hell did you managed to get to 51,000 miles without needing front pads? Mine has had 3 sets at 43,000 and some front disks... not changed the rears at all yet!

 

[sssstew]

all depends on driving style and type of roads i guess, if you did all motorway you could knock up some miles without needing to brake alot.

 

[RikH]

just replaced my rear discs and pads about 600 ago
never touched fronts
car is on 33k