Skoda Rapid brake pads 2018: a complete guide to choosing and replacing

Vehicle operation Skoda Rapid 2018 release requires careful attention to the safety system, especially to the brake assembly. This design element is responsible for the instantaneous stopping of the car in an emergency situation, so the condition of the pads directly affects your life. Owners often ignore the first signs of wear until they hear the characteristic grinding, which can lead to costly calipers and disc repairs.

Selecting the right consumables for brake pads Škoda Rapid 2018 is not just about buying the first part you find in a store. It is necessary to take into account the type of braking system installed on a particular engine, as well as the operating conditions of the car in traffic jams or on the highway. An erroneous choice can lead to a decrease in braking efficiency, overheating of the nodes and accelerated wear of the remaining components.

Design features of the Rapid 2018 brake system

Cars Skoda Rapid 2018 model year are equipped with two main types of brake mechanisms depending on the configuration and engine volume. For engines of 1.2 and 1.6 liters, ventilated discs in the front and simple drum or disc mechanisms in the rear are most often installed. Understanding this difference is critical when ordering parts, as the items and sizes differ significantly.

The front axle in this model experiences tremendous loads, as it accounts for up to 70% of braking force. That is why the front pads wear 2-3 times faster than the rear. Brake calipers on Rapid have specific guides that require the use of high-quality lubricant for each replacement. Ignoring this procedure often results in jamming of the pistons or uneven wear of the friction lining.

The rear system can be both disc and drum, which depends on the year of release and the market. If you have a drum system, the life of the pads is much higher, but the replacement process is more time-consuming due to the need to disassemble the mechanism and adjust the gap. Owners with disc rear brakes should be aware of the electronic hand brake (EPB) which requires special procedures when compressing the piston.

Original components and their articles

Selection of original spare parts from the manufacturer Skoda ensures perfect compliance with geometric parameters and declared braking characteristics. For front brake pads The most relevant article for the 2018 model is the article 5Q0 698 151 E (or modifications depending on the type of disk). This solution provides a balance between softness of pressing and the effectiveness of stopping.

The rear axle, if equipped with disc brakes, usually requires an article 5Q0 698 151 H Or similar to the drums. The use of original components avoids problems with the wear sensor, which in Skoda Rapid Often integrated into the left front pad. Incorrect selection of analogues can lead to the fact that the sensor will not work on time or will constantly give out an error on the dashboard.

It is important to understand that the same car can have different braking systems depending on the manufacturer (Czech Republic, Russia, India). Therefore, always check the VIN code with the supplier’s catalogue before buying. Only a VIN check guarantees 100% compatibility of the purchased pads with your specific modification of the Skoda Rapid. This will eliminate the need to return the goods and unnecessary trips to the store.

Analogues: the best manufacturers and choice of material

It doesn’t always make sense to overpay for original packaging if you can buy quality analogues from global brands. In the spare parts market for Skoda The producers are dominant, such as TRW, Textar, Brembo and ATE. These companies are often suppliers to the conveyor, so their products are almost as good as the original, but are cheaper.

• 🇩🇪 Textar German quality, excellent resistance to high temperatures and minimal dust formation.
• 🇮🇹 Brembo - Italian brand, offering sports series for aggressive driving and standard for the city.
• 🇺🇸 TRW Reliable pads with a good balance of price and quality, often come complete with new calipers.
• 🇨🇿 SKF - Czech brand, which is well adapted to the specifics of suspension and brakes of the VW group.

When choosing a material of friction lining, pay attention to the class of ceramics or semi-metal. Ceramic pads are less dusty and quieter, but they are more expensive and work worse at low temperatures. Semi-metallic compounds are more durable and effective in cold weather, but can wash brake discs faster. For our climatic conditions, high-quality organic mixtures with the addition of Kevlar will be the best choice.

Signs of wear and condition diagnosis

Determine the need for replacement brake pads It can be both visually and indirectly in the behavior of the car. The most obvious signal is the appearance of metal grinding when pressing the brake pedal. This means that the friction pad has completely worn off, and the metal base of the pad began to contact the disc, which is unacceptable.

Another alarm is vibration of the steering wheel or body during braking. This often indicates uneven wear of the pads or deformation of the brake disc due to overheating. If the brake pedal has become "cotton" or requires deeper pressing than usual, this may indicate wear of the linings or air entering the hydraulics. It is also worth paying attention to the length of the braking distance, which has become noticeably more than usual.

Visual inspection through the wheel rims allows you to assess the thickness of the friction layer. For Skoda Rapid Critical is considered residual thickness less than 2-3 mm. Some manufacturers apply wear indicators to the pads, which begin to make a sound when the minimum threshold is reached. Do not wait for sound, check the condition of the nodes every 10-15 thousand kilometers of run.

Instructions for replacing pads yourself

Replacing brake pads with Skoda Rapid 2018 is a challenge that an owner with a basic set of tools and an understanding of the process can handle. Start with the preparation of the car: set it on a flat surface, tighten the hand brake (if it is mechanical) and put the stops under the wheels. To work, you will need a jack, a balloon key, a set of heads and keys, as well as specialized lubrication.

First, remove the wheel and remove the brake caliper. To do this, unscrew the guide bolts, which are usually sized. 13 mm or 17 mm. Carefully move the caliper, without overbending the brake hose, and remove the old pads. Pay attention to the condition of the guide fingers: if they are acidified, they must be cleaned and lubricated with a special silicone lubricant.

• 🔧 Clean the seats on the caliper bracket from rust and old dust with a metal brush.
• 🔧 Check the thickness of the brake disc for deep furrows and cracks.
• 🔧 Install new pads, pre-lubricating the contact pads on the back side.
• 🔧 Move the caliper piston back using a press or special tool.

If you have rear disc brakes with an electronic handbrake, the process of compression of the piston has its own characteristics. Just press the piston with a screwdriver can not - it will break the mechanism. It is necessary to connect a diagnostic scanner and transfer the caliper to service mode through the onboard computer. Otherwise, you risk damaging the handbrake electric motor.

Typical errors and important nuances of service

A common mistake when replacing is not replacing brake fluid or ignoring the condition of the anthers. The brake fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture from the air, which reduces its boiling point. With intense braking, the liquid can boil, and the pedal will fall into the floor. It is recommended to change the liquid every two years or 40 thousand kilometers, regardless of the mileage.

Another problem is the incorrect use of new shoes. Immediately after replacement, you can not make sharp braking. It is necessary to travel 200-300 km in calm mode, making smooth stops so that the friction layer adapts to the surface of the disk. Violation of this rule will lead to overheating, deformation of the discs and the appearance of vibrations.

⚠️ Warning: Never use a regular lubricant or lithole for guide calipers! This will cause them to quickly collapse and jam. Use only special high-temperature lubricants for brake systems, for example, Loctite 7563 or TRW PFG110.

It is also important to properly tighten the bolts of the caliper mounting. Excess torque can tear the thread or deform the brace, and insufficient - will lead to unbalance of the knot and loss of braking efficiency. Use the dynamometer key and follow the values indicated in the service book: this is usually the 30 Nm for guides and 120-140 Nm for wheel bolts.

How to check the thickness of a rim without removing the wheel?

For accurate measurement of the thickness of the brake disc, the wheel and caliper must be removed. The minimum thickness for the front discs of the Skoda Rapid is 22 mm, for the rear – 14 mm. Measurement is made by micrometer at several points along the radius of the disk, as wear can be uneven.

Prices and service life: what affects the resource

Brake pad service life Skoda Rapid 2018 varies greatly and depends on driving style, road surface quality and traffic jams. On average, the front pads serve from 30 to 50 thousand kilometers, and the rear – from 60 to 80 thousand. However, if you often drive in a dense city stream with frequent starts and stops, this resource can be halved.

The cost of a set of original pads varies between 3000-4500 rubles, while quality analogues can be found for 1500-2500 rubles. The savings on this safety element are unjustified, as the cost of replacing the shoes at the dealer can be comparable to the price of the kit itself. It is easier to buy quality parts and install them yourself or in a good service.

Wear is also affected by the condition of the brake discs. If the disc has a production or beat, the new pads will wear out unevenly and faster. Therefore, when replacing pads, always assess the state of the discs and, if necessary, change them with a set. This will ensure uniform fit of the friction material and maximum resource of the pair.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

How often should you change brake pads at the Skoda Rapid 2018?

The recommended replacement interval is 30-40 thousand kilometers for the front pads and 60-80 thousand for the rear. However, the exact time depends on the driving style and operating conditions. Make sure to conduct a visual inspection at each scheduled maintenance.

Is it possible to change only the front pads if the rear ones are still intact?

Yeah, that's normal practice. The front pads wear out faster due to the redistribution of weight during braking. The main thing is to make sure that the rear pads are sufficiently thick and do not have traces of uneven wear.

What if the brake pedal is soft after replacing the pads?

This may be due to the presence of air in the system or the incorrect position of the caliper piston. Try to pump the brake system or several times sharply press the pedal to the end to eliminate gaps. If the problem does not disappear, contact the service.

Do I need to change brake discs and pads?

Not always. If the thickness of the disc is above the minimum permissible and there are no deep furrows, cracks or strong beats, it can be left. However, replacing the kit provides better efficiency and durability.

How do you know if it’s time to change the sensor?

On the dashboard will light up a yellow or red lamp with a picture of the brake system or the inscription "Check Brake Pads". There may also be an audible signal. Do not ignore this warning and replace the pads immediately.