My 2007 V8V is at what I'm told is a highly regarded independent shop in Chicago that deals with exotics (European Auto Ltd.) for airbag/horn pad rattling and brake squealing. They hadn't called me after the car had been in the shop 4 days, so I called them.

The owner said the airbag issue is from the explosive pellets, which didn't sound right. From what I've read, it's common, and it's the whole horn pad moving up and down. (I asked if he had driven the car on rough roads to see what I mean, and he said no.) Does anyone know of a TSB about the fix? I've read something about a spring, or about foam tape on the contact points.

As for my brake squeal, the car already has shims. He said he ordered new brake pads (I kind of wish he had discussed that with me first--not that I know much about different brands, but I could have researched it). He ordered a brand he said sounds like "fortified," but is spelled differently. I can't find much online. Any idea what brand this might be?

Thanks.

In terms of the airbag, I had the same issue with my MY07, it would rattle when I hit a bump or drive over rough roads. The dealer ended up installing a stiffer spring inside & this solved the problem.

As for the brakes, they tried all various fixes with me, even replaced my brake pads, and when the squeaks returned - shims was the final solution.

Drive the car hard, if I do granny city driving for too long, my squeak seems to come back.

Never had the airbag issue but the dealer installed the shims per AM's recommendation and no more brake squeak. The noise has been gone for 6,000 miles.

Sorry, never heard of the brand Fortified or anything like it. There are many posts on this subject. I think a lot of people are happy with the Pagids.

Adam

Two of the most common problems in the V8V. The airbag rattle is b/c of the spring inside. There is a TSB that replaces it with a heavier duty spring. Talk to an authorized Aston dealer service guy and they should know about this.

The brake squeal is sometimes temporarily fixed by the shims, but if not, hard bedding in of the brakes usually does the trick. I did some hard stops from highway speeds (somewhere deserted with no other cars) a few times and that cured my problem.

Thanks. I told the mechanic about the spring fix as well as the foam tape fix (about which I've also read) for the airbag rattle. I don't care how it's fixed, as long as it is.

As for the brakes, maybe the "fortified" thing was a supplier rather than a brand of pads, although I still can't find anything. I probably misunderstood him. I was tempted to say I wanted to specify the brake pads to use--I've read good things about EBC RedStuff, both in terms of noise and brake dust. But, he had already ordered the others (apparently due in yesterday), so I didn't. I'll have to trust his judgment.

Will dealer fix airbag spings free of charge?
________
Fantazie cam

Does anything come free? I would doubt it. Still, if this place can't fix it, I may need to go to the dealer. I'm less concerned about cost than inconvenience, since the independent is in walking distance, whereas the dealer (Lake Forest Sports Cars) is in the far north suburbs, at least an hour away from me.

It sounds to me like you are not being treated well, if they fail to call you back, or don't discuss the replacement brake pads before they order them. For the issues you are having, I would certainly talk with LFSC. I found them to be very professional and very helpful for my warrantee and scheduled (1-year) service work. Also, I have homed in on Carbotech when I go for new brake pads--a lot of posters on this site have recommended them. http://www.ctbrakes.com/brake-pads.asp

I can totally vouge for the service reps and mechanics at LFSC. They have been nothing but GREAT and are true enthusiasts. Totally different experience than my last Porsche. I have a few contacts at LFSC as well. PM if interested. No affiliation, just a happy customer.

Adam

Got the car back (after 11 days). It's a much better driving experience now. No squealing with the new brake pads, and they also removed the glaze from the rotors. They put foam tape around the airbag assembly, so it rattles much less--maybe just a bit going over big bumps. Not a driveability issue, but I also had the parking brake indicator (which tended to stay on, even with the brake off) addressed.

The owner of the place, although clearly not in a hurry (he told me a Maserati Biturbo had been in the shop for the past 4 years), is a good guy. We had a nice discussion about various cars. He not only washed my V8V before returning it, he took it to a detailer. And he even put gas in it to replace what he had used on the test drives. For anyone in Chicago, I'd recommend the place--European Auto Ltd., 2547 N. Lincoln.

I know this may sound kind of weird ... but I actually like the air bag rattle a little bit. It reminds me I'm driving a british car and it kind of adds character to it ...

anyone else feel the same way? maybe I'm just crazy haha
________
WASHINGTON MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

Yeah, that does sound weird!