| Bringing your VW car to a mechanic will give you less | | | | Listed are the steps on how to. |
| hustle in labor. Replacing your deteriorated brake part | | | | For the floating caliper, remove the two caliper guide |
| may be very labor intensive. But for car owners who | | | | pins or bolts. Look at the locations and positions of |
| want to save money for an auto repair, doing it | | | | any bushings or guides so that they can be reinstalled |
| yourself is the answer, regardless of the labor and | | | | properly. Rock the caliper back and forth to push the |
| time it will incur you. | | | | piston back enough to slide the caliper off. The |
| A guide, like this, for replacing your VW ceramic | | | | floating caliper is now ready to be removed. By using |
| brake pads and removing calipers will help. | | | | a large C-clamp, push on the inboard pad to move |
| First, you will need materials such as wrenches, jack, | | | | the piston back into the caliper. Do it slow and |
| jack stands, wire brush, screwdriver or pry bar, pliers | | | | steady. If you did not remove half the brake fluid, |
| or vise grips, hammer, large C-clamp, | | | | make an appointment to have your vehicle repainted. |
| high-temperature lubricant, latex gloves, and of | | | | Another type is the sliding caliper. |
| course, new brake pads. | | | | A support key or retaining clip holds the caliper to the |
| Gather together all those mentioned tools and | | | | caliper bridge. Remove the retaining bolt or screw |
| supplies before you begin. Allow plenty of time to do | | | | holding the key. Then, drive the key out with an |
| the job so you don not have to hurry and cram. | | | | appropriate tool. Note the position of any springs or |
| Safety is important whenever you are working | | | | clips before you remove them. The retainers will |
| around machinery. So, beware of hot objects, sharp | | | | simply lift off. Observe and note the position of the |
| instruments and hazardous materials. Though | | | | retainers before you remove them. After this, the |
| economizing in terms of money is your goal, do not | | | | sliding caliper is now ready to be removed. Through |
| substitute tools unless you are sure you will not | | | | the use of a large C-clamp, push on the inboard pad |
| compromise either your safety or the performance | | | | to move the piston back into the caliper. Do it slow |
| of your vehicle. Say for instance, never work on a | | | | and steady. If you did not remove half the brake |
| vehicle that is only supported by a jack. Use jack | | | | fluid, make an appointment to have your vehicle |
| stands to support the vehicle while you are working. | | | | repainted. |
| Work on a solid and level surface. Never jack a car | | | | The sliding caliper can also be removed by separating |
| up on dirt or grass. Do one wheel at a time so you | | | | the pads from the caliper. The inner pad must be |
| can use the other wheel as a reference in case you | | | | clipped to the piston. The outer pad may be pinned, |
| get confused. Check for any fluid leaks or cracked | | | | clipped or pressed tightly on the caliper. Some pads |
| brake lines. If there is any, replace them as | | | | may remain on the adapter or anchor when the |
| necessary. | | | | caliper is already removed. |
| Brake linings contain asbestos. Avoid creating or | | | | Clean the caliper mounting surfaces with a wire brush |
| breathing dust when changing the linings or cleaning | | | | and remove all the rust and dirt. The sliding surfaces |
| the parts. Use water to wash down the brakes | | | | must be as clean as possible for proper brake |
| before starting and wear gloves to avoid prolonged | | | | operation. You need to wet down the area with |
| contact with your skin. Any contact of these | | | | water to prevent dust from sticking. Allow parts to |
| materials to your skin may have bad effects. | | | | dry. |
| To finally start, remove about half the brake fluid | | | | Fixed Caliper, on the other hand, can be removed by |
| from the master cylinder and put it into a sealed | | | | removing the caliper mounting bolts only if the pads |
| container. Dispose it off properly. Do not reuse old | | | | will not come out the back of the caliper. Push back |
| brake fluid. Always use fresh brake fluid from a | | | | the piston before removing the old pads. Again, if half |
| sealed container. Brake fluid messes up with paint so | | | | the brake fluid was not removed, make an |
| do not get it on your vehicles finish. If you do, wash | | | | appointment to have your vehicle repainted. |
| it off with plenty of water. After all, brake fluid is | | | | Check the rotor or disc for scores, rusting or pitting. |
| water soluble. | | | | It is recommended that the rotors be resurfaced to |
| Using a lug wrench, crack the wheel lugs. You need | | | | remove any imperfections and true up the braking |
| to loose one or two turns. Do not remove them | | | | surface to prevent brake pulsations. Then, remove |
| completely. Jack one side of the vehicle up and | | | | the pads from the calipers and remove any pins or |
| support it with a jack stand. Do the same for the | | | | retainers. Push pads back and pull them out. |
| opposite side. Remove the lugs and then take the | | | | You are done replacing your VW ceramic brake pads |
| wheels off. | | | | and removing calipers. Labor intensive, but money |
| You might ask yourself how to remove the calipers. | | | | saving. |