Brake Pad Replacement

[cameo]

I couldn't find a designated spot for this tread...So, I figure here'll be okay for now.

My rear left pad needs replacing and was wondering if I could do it myself without forking out cash to get it done elsewhere. Is there a specific tool that I need? Anyone care to take me through the process?

Thanks,

[Mrk_Mickey]

You're doing this on your mk3 right? It's real simple

Jack the car up and take the wheel off (If you're replacing the rear pad, leave the handbrake OFF)
You'll need a 15mm open-ended spanner and either a 13mm socket or spanner (I think those sizes are right....give or take 1mm lol). You have to undo the caliper bolts, which are two bolts that hold the caliper onto the carrier. There's a rubber boot on the screwed-in end of them so they're easy to locate. This is one being undone:


Once you've undone those two bolts, jimmy at the caliper and pry it off the pads/disc. The caliper can hang loose, and your brake pads will be ready to just take right off the disc Put the new ones in, push the caliper back onto the pads and tighten it as hard as you can tighten it, then put the wheel back on and you're done

[gldgti]

furthermore, you always replace the brake pads of an entire axel at a time, so you'll do both rear wheels.

make sure that you check the brake fluid level after pushing the piston back into the caliper after installing the new pads.... or rather, put a rag around your fluid resovoir to catch any spillage.

and dont forget to chock your font wheels

[aprr32]

brakes

Good luck pushing the piston back in on a rear caliper, it screws back in and if you open the bleeder it makes it a bit easier.

[Golf Loon]

^^^

Yup you need a special tool not easily available in Oz. The piston has to turn and be pushed in at the same time.

[cameo]

Thanks alot guys (Mr Mickey!)! Have to have a fiddle tomorrow!

[craig_the_german]

pad replacement

How hard is it to push the pistons back in the rear calipers? If the tool is rare in Oz, how does everyone do it?
I have a MK4 but by the pics I would say my calipers are similar if not the same.

[Mrk_Mickey]

^^^

Yup you need a special tool not easily available in Oz. The piston has to turn and be pushed in at the same time.

I've never had a problem taking the brakes off and putting them on at the rear, when does this problem come in? Is it when you put the handbrake on or something? lol.

[Peter Jones]

You need this sort of tool.



Routinely available on e-bay or specialist mechanics tools suppliers.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/WIND-BACK-REAR-DISC-BRAKE-CALIPER-SET-AMPRO-TOOLS-NEW_W0QQitemZ360129787006QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Car _Parts_Accessories?hash=item360129787006&_trksid=p 3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1 318

I made up a tool out of an old brake pad and some threaded rod and other stuff I had lying about.

Pete

[Oneofthegreats]

I've never had a problem taking the brakes off and putting them on at the rear, when does this problem come in? Is it when you put the handbrake on or something? lol.

They mean when you try to push the piston back to fit new pad's.

Not just take the caliper off & put it back on.

As loon said, it has to be pushed & turned clockwise at the same time. not too easy at all without the tool's.

You can buy the tool from VW (not cheap) or from oversea's to make it easier.

Or as Pete has just posted. Locally!

That's a bloody good price too!

VW's own tool is way more than twice that amount & it's only to suit one car!

[Mrk_Mickey]

Ohhhh right I get it. Lame!

[craig_the_german]

pad replacement

Hi all,
Is it at all possible to push the pistons back without the tool?

Mine will be due for a pad (and rotor) change in the next few months and I don't want to have to buy a special tool to do the job if it can be done without it.
I usually get really good service out of brake pads (my Holden Jackaroo has done 198,000km on the original pads and rotors and still has 50% of the pads left)and this pad change will be the last one before I sell the Golf so if I can do it without the special tool I would like to.

[Peter Jones]

I've done it without the special brake tool.

Unfortunatley for you the tool I used was the even more specialised tool used to remove the oilfiller from an air cooled VW engine. (and the calipers were off the car at the time)

Improvise! Look around your garage and see what you've got that engage the piston, apply pressure to it and rotate it all at the same time.

Just off the top of my head for an example.

you might have an old towball a G clamp and an angle grinder handy.

Take the nut off the towball and attack the nut with the grinder to make teeth on it to engage the piston. Use the G clamp to clamp the nut to the piston and use a big spanner to rotate the nut.(This method is untested because I just dreamt it up based on my hypothetical musings in what you might have in your garage - use it at your own peril.)

Get some Bush Mechanic / McGyver action going on!

Of course you could just buy the tool too.

Pete

[h100vw]

I wound them in with a pair of pliers before buying the real tool. Some slightly pointy ones.

The right tool is great though.

Gavin

[Golf Loon]

2 blokes, one with a g clamp and one with a screw driver and a hammer.

Its possible, but ghetto and you risk cutting the rubber caliper boot, or putting a screwdriver through your hand.