Car ownership Skoda Rapid The 2018 model imposes a certain responsibility on the owner for the technical condition of the chassis. The braking system plays a key role here, ensuring the safety of both driver and passengers on city roads and country highways. It is the front brake pads that experience enormous loads at every stop, gradually losing their friction properties.
Timely diagnosis and replacement of consumables is not just a recommendation from the manual, but a necessity dictated by the physics of the friction process. Ignoring signs of wear can lead to the destruction of brake discs, which will significantly increase the cost of subsequent repairs. In this article we will analyze in detail which pads are best to choose for front axles your car, how to distinguish an original from a fake and how to correctly carry out the replacement procedure on your own.
Design features of the Rapid 2018 brake system
Car Skoda Rapid The 2018 model year features a proven braking system inherited from the PQ25 platform. The front unit is a ventilated disc brake design that allows for efficient heat dissipation during heavy braking. Depending on the configuration and engine size, the machine can be equipped with discs with a diameter of 256 mm or 286 mm, which is critically important to consider when selecting consumables.
It is important to understand that the brake caliper on this model has a specific guide design that requires special attention during maintenance. Improper lubrication or the use of low-quality materials can lead to souring of the pistons and uneven wear of the friction linings. That is why when replacing, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the pads themselves, but also to the condition of the guide pins.
Many owners are faced with the problem of squeaking, which occurs even on new elements. This is often due to the way the anti-squeak plates are fastened and the quality of the friction composition itself. To eliminate extraneous noise, it is often necessary to additionally treat the contacts with high-temperature grease, and sometimes replace the spring clips.
- โ Ventilated discs provide better heat dissipation than solid counterparts.
- โ The caliper guides should move freely without play.
- โ The size of the discs (256 or 286 mm) determines the article number of the suitable pads.
Original or analogues: what to choose for reliable braking?
The choice between original parts and high-quality analogues is an eternal debate among motorists. For Skoda Rapid original pads have an article number 5Q0 698 151 P (for basic versions) or 5Q0 698 151 D. They guarantee a perfect fit to the geometry and composition, but their price is often inflated due to dealer markups. Moreover, the original is often produced by the same factories as popular brands, just under a different label.
If you are looking for a balance between price and quality, you should pay attention to trusted manufacturers from Germany and France. Type brands TRW, Brembo or Textar offer products that often exceed standard solutions in terms of service life and stability of the friction coefficient. These companies are the primary suppliers for the VAG concern, so their products fully comply with factory standards.
It is better to avoid Chinese analogues or little-known brands with low prices. Skimping on the brakes can result in loss of control of the car in an emergency. The friction mixture of cheap pads often contains metal inclusions that act as an abrasive and quickly wear down the brake disc. For the 2018 model, it is critical to avoid pads with a coefficient of friction below 0.35, as this may result in longer braking distances.
When choosing, pay attention to the CE marking (Conformitรฉ Europรฉenne), which confirms compliance with European safety standards. Having a quality certificate is your guarantee that the pads will not generate dust, heat up, or lose efficiency when heated to high temperatures.
- ๐ฉ๐ช TRW - excellent balance of price and quality, often supplied from the factory.
- ๐ฎ๐น Brembo โ a premium option with increased resource and stability.
- ๐จ๐ฟ Febi Bilstein - a reliable German brand, affordable at the price of the original.
- Original (VAG)
- TRW/Brembo
- Textar/Akebono
- Chinese analogues
Technical nuances and selection criteria
Before you go to the store, you need to know exactly what your car is equipped with. Skoda Rapid The 2018 model was produced with different brake system options, and it is very easy to confuse them. One of the main signs is the diameter of the brake disc. If you have a 1.6-liter engine with a capacity of 110 hp, most likely, you need wheels with a larger diameter (286 mm), and for a 1.6, 90 hp. 256 mm wheels can be installed.
Pay attention to the presence of a wear sensor. On some versions front pads An electronic sensor is provided, which, when critical wear is reached, closes the circuit and lights the lamp on the dashboard. When replacing such pads, the sensor must also be replaced, since its wiring is often damaged when the old part is removed. If you ignore this point, the lamp may remain on continuously, even after installing new elements.
It is also important to check the condition of the caliper guide boots. If they are torn, moisture and dirt have already entered the mechanism, which will require deeper cleaning and lubrication. Using a special caliper maintenance kit (Service Kit) greatly simplifies the process and extends the life of the unit. The kit usually includes new guides, boots and lubricant.
| Manufacturer | Article (example) | Type | Approximate price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skoda (Original) | 5Q0 698 151 P | Mineral | 4500 rub. |
| TRW | GDB1906 | Semi-metallic | 2800 rub. |
| Brembo | P 56 026 | Ceramic | 3500 rub. |
| Textar | 2401001 | Mineral | 2200 rub. |
Step-by-step instructions for replacing front pads
Procedure for replacing front brake pads Skoda Rapid does not require sophisticated equipment, but requires care and compliance with safety precautions. Start by placing the car on a level surface and applying the handbrake. Raise the front of the car with a jack and be sure to place it on safety stands to eliminate the risk of falling.
Remove the wheel and inspect the condition of the brake disc. If it has deep grooves or cracks, replacing the pads will not completely solve the problem - you will need to resurface or replace the disc. Before removing the caliper, unscrew the two guide bolts, usually they have a 7-mm hex or Torx T30. Remove the caliper and hang it on a wire to avoid damaging the brake hose.
Remove the old pads and carefully inspect the bracket. Often, worn anti-squeak plates remain in the bracket and need to be replaced with new ones. Clean the seats from rust and dirt with a wire brush. Apply a special high-temperature lubricant to metal-to-metal contact areas, but no way Do not allow lubricant to come into contact with the working surface of the pads or disc.
Place the new pads back into the bracket, making sure they move freely. Reinstall the caliper, tighten the guide bolts to the recommended torque (usually about 30 Nm). Put the wheel back in place and lower the car. After replacing, be sure to press the brake pedal all the way down several times so that the pistons are in the working position.
โ๏ธ Preparing for replacement
โ ๏ธ Attention: Never press the brake pedal until the caliper is in place, otherwise the piston may fly out of the cylinder, causing a brake fluid leak and complete brake failure!
What to do if the piston does not press in?
If the caliper piston does not press back, it may be soured or there is high pressure in the system. Use a special tool (squeezer) to press in the piston by rotating it clockwise. Do not try to press the piston with a regular clamp without rotating, as this may damage the mechanism.
Diagnostics and common problems after replacement
After installing new elements, a slight creaking or grinding noise may be observed during the first kilometers of mileage. This phenomenon is called "breaking in" and is considered normal if the sound disappears after a few hard braking sessions. However, if the squeak persists for a long time, it may indicate improper installation or poor quality parts. Check the presence of anti-squeak plates and their correct position.
Another common problem is uneven pad wear. If one pad wears out faster than the other, this is a signal that the caliper guides are jammed. In this case, it is necessary to disassemble the caliper, clean the guides and replace the lubricant with fresh one. Ignoring this problem will lead to misalignment of the pads and rapid wear of the brake disc.
It is also worth paying attention to dust on the wheels. If, after replacing new pads, the rims and wheels are covered in large quantities of black dust, this may be a sign of the use of cheap friction materials with a high metal content. High-quality pads should leave a minimal amount of dust, which can be easily washed off with water.
- ๐ Regularly check the thickness of the friction layer every 10-15 thousand km.
- ๐ Monitor the condition of the brake fluid and change it every 2 years.
- ๐ If vibration occurs on the steering wheel, check the runout of the brake discs.
Before installing new pads, lightly walk over their working surface with fine sandpaper to remove the protective layer and speed up the break-in process.
Tips for extending brake system life
The service life of brake pads directly depends on your driving style. Aggressive driving with constant hard braking significantly reduces the life of any, even the most expensive pads. Try to anticipate the traffic situation and brake smoothly, using the engine to slow down. This will not only save consumables, but also reduce the load on other suspension components.
In winter, when there is a lot of reagents and salt on the roads, the brake system is subject to increased corrosion. After driving on wet roads, try to dry your brakes by carefully braking on a dry section of the road. This will remove moisture and prevent rust from forming on the guides and discs.
Use only high-quality lubricants to service calipers. Cheap lubricants based on graphite or lithol are quickly washed out or lose their properties at high temperatures. Special silicone or ceramic lubricants can withstand heat up to 1000 degrees and ensure free movement of parts even after several years of operation.
Don't forget the importance of regular visual inspections. Many modern cars, including Skoda Rapid, are equipped with wear indicators, but you should not rely on them alone. A simple inspection through the spokes of the disc will help identify the problem at an early stage, when replacing the pads will not yet require additional costs for repairing the discs.
Smooth braking and the use of quality lubricants are the key to long life for your vehicle's braking system.
How to check the thickness of the pad without removing the wheel?
Many models have a special inspection hole in the caliper. Having freed it from dirt, you can visually assess the remaining friction material using a flashlight. However, for an accurate measurement it is better to remove the wheel.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
How often do you need to change the front pads on Skoda Rapid 2018?
On average, the service life of front pads ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 km, depending on driving style and road conditions. The minimum permissible thickness of the friction layer is 2-3 mm.
Is it possible to change pads on only one axle?
No, the pads are always replaced as a set on one axle (both front wheels). Replacing only one pad will result in uneven braking and the car skidding.
Do I need to grind in new pads?
Yes, the running-in process takes about 200-300 km. During this period, sharp braking and overheating of the brake system should be avoided so that the friction layer is evenly distributed on the disc.
What should I do if the wear light comes on after replacement?
Most likely, you did not replace the wear sensor or did not reset the error in the car electronics. Check the integrity of the sensor wires and, if necessary, perform a reset using the diagnostic scanner.
What is the best lubricant to use for guides?
It is recommended to use special high-temperature lubricants based on silicone or ceramic, for example, TRW PFG111 or Liqui Moly Bremsen-Anti-Quietsch-Paste. Conventional lubricants can cause jamming.