Just had my '03 2.4T in for service @ 60K miles (not cheap) I'm trying to make sure any issues are sorted before the extended warranty expires in December.

I asked about my A/C - it short cycles (~5-6 seconds on/off) at low speeds or at idle - can't tell at highway speeds. I also hear a rubbing sound - rather like two sheets of sandpaper being rubbed together when it engages. The cooling is fine but I told the dealer that short cycling was often a symptom of low charge. When I got the paperwork back, it carried a notation that cooling is in spec and there is no high side fitting so the charge can't be checked! Never heard of an A/C system without a high side fitting - is this normal or an error?

Second: Near time to do the rear brakes - 3mm of pad and, according to the dealer, the disks are worn to below spec. I have fitted Akebono Europad ceramics to the front with excellent results and the dealer agreed to install them on the rear if I supply the pads - but, the quoted price, $450 for disks and installation seems awfully steep for what is, at best, a hours work - anything particulary tricky about this process?

Thanks

 

1. They have a highside in the radiator support. The 850's don't have a highside port though.

2.Replacing the pads and rotors aren't that hard.