Brake pads, removing and installing

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Special tools and equipment

Fig 1: Torque Wrench V.A.G. 1331 (5 To 50 Nm)

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

VAG 1331 Torque wrench or equivalent
Piston resetting tool

Removing

NOTE: If reusing brake pads mark location and install in same position when installing otherwise uneven braking may occur!

Fig 2: Protective Caps

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Remove protective caps (arrows).

Fig 3: Brake Pad Wear Indicator Connector

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Disconnect connector -1- on vehicles with a brake pad wear indicator.

Fig 4: Prying Brake Pad Retaining Spring Out From Brake Caliper Housing With A Screwdriver

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Pry brake pad retaining spring out from brake caliper housing (arrow) with a screwdriver and remove.

Fig 5: Removing/Installing Brake Caliper Guide Pins

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Remove both guide pins (arrows) from brake caliper.
Remove brake caliper housing and secure with wire so that the weight of the brake caliper does not stress or damage brake hose.
Remove brake pads out of brake caliper housing or from brake carrier.
Clean brake caliper housing, in particular the bonding surface for the brake pad. It must be free of adhesive and grease residues.

Use methylated spirit only for cleaning the brake caliper housing.

Installing

Fig 6: Identifying Brake Pads With Specified Direction Of Rotation

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Brake pads with specified direction of rotation

1 - Right-hand piston side brake pad

2 - Left-hand piston side brake pad

NOTE: Before inserting new brake pads, press piston back into the cylinder with resetting tool. Before pressing the piston back, draw off brake fluid from the reservoir with a bleeder bottle. Otherwise if reservoir has been topped off, fluid will overflow and cause damage.

Fig 7: Pressing Piston Back

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Pressing piston back.
Insert brake pads.

Fig 8: Identifying Arrow On The Brake Pad Backplate Pointing Downward

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When installed the arrow on the brake pad backplate -A- must point downward. Make sure this is installed correctly!

Install outer brake pad to brake carrier.
Remove protective foil off outer brake pad backplate.

Fig 9: Removing/Installing Brake Caliper Guide Pins

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Secure brake caliper housing to brake carrier with both guide pins and tighten to 28 Nm (21 ft. lb).
Install both protective caps.
Insert retaining spring into brake caliper housing.
Insert brake wear indicator connector into bracket on suspension strut.

NOTE:

After each brake pad change firmly depress brake pedal several times with vehicle stationary, so that the brake pads are properly seated in their normal operating position.
After changing brake pads check brake fluid level.

Special tools and equipment required

Fig 1: Torque Wrench V.A.G. 1331 (5 To 50 Nm)

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

V.A.G 1331 Torque wrench
Piston resetting tool

Removing

NOTE: If reusing brake pads mark location and install in same position when installing otherwise uneven braking will occur!

Remove wheels.

Fig 2: Securing Brake Disc Using A Wheel Bolt

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Secure brake disc using a wheel bolt.

Fig 3: Pressing Retaining Spring

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Press retaining spring so far in direction of (arrow -A-) until it can be pressed out of the bore of the brake caliper.

Fig 4: Pulling Retaining Spring Out Of The Bore Of The Brake Caliper

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Then, pull bottom of retaining spring in direction of (arrow -A-) and hold this position. Now press top of retaining spring in direction of (arrow -B-). At the same time, the retaining spring must be turned slightly counter-clockwise and be pulled out of the bore of the brake caliper (arrow -D-).

Fig 5: Identifying Brake Pad Wear Indicator Connector, Brake Lining Wear Indicator Retainer Harness & Protective Cap Retainer

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Separate connector -1- from brake pad wear indicator.
Remove harness for brake lining wear indicator from retainer -2- of the upper cap and out of retainer -3- of the protective cap.

Fig 6: Protective Caps

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Remove protective caps -1-.

NOTE: Upper protective cover with cable holder for brake pad wear indicator

Fig 7: Removing/Installing Guide Pins From/To Brake Caliper

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Remove both guide pins from brake caliper.
Take off brake caliper housing and lay to one side so that the weight of the brake caliper does not stress or damage brake hose.
Take brake pads out of brake caliper housing or from brake carrier.

Use methylated spirit only for cleaning brake caliper housing.

Installing

NOTE: Before inserting new brake pads, press piston back into the cylinder with resetting tool. Before pressing the piston back, draw off brake fluid from the reservoir with a bleeder bottle. Otherwise particularly if reservoir has been topped off, fluid will overflow and cause damage.

Fig 8: Pressing Piston Back

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Press piston back.

Fig 9: Brake Pad With Retaining Spring In Brake Caliper Housing

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Insert brake pad with retaining spring in brake caliper housing (piston).
Install outer brake pad to brake carrier.

Fig 10: Removing/Installing Guide Pins From/To Brake Caliper

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Bolt brake caliper housing to brake carrier with both guide pins.
Install both protective caps.

NOTE: Upper protective cover with cable holder for brake pad wear indicator.

Insert brake pad wear indicator connector under dust cap of bleeder valve, in upper protective cap and in bracket on brake caliper.
Join connector for brake wear indicator.

Fig 11: Pressing The Retaining Spring Into The Bore Of The Brake Caliper

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Place top of retaining spring against brake caliper carrier. Then, press the top of retaining spring in direction of (arrow -B-) and simultaneously hold the bottom in opposite direction of (arrow -A-). Now, press the retaining spring into the bore of the brake caliper.

Fig 12: Pressing Retaining Spring Into The Bore Of The Brake Caliper

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Place the bottom of retaining spring against brake caliper carrier. Then, press retaining spring in direction of (arrow -A-) first, and then simultaneously into the bore of the brake caliper.
Install wheels.

NOTE:

After each brake pad change firmly depress brake pedal several times with vehicle stationary, so that the brake pads are properly seated in their normal operating position.
After changing brake pads check brake fluid level.