How do you replace the rear brake discs on a VW Golf GTI?

Answer 1

The following information relates to mk2 and mk3 Golfs but should be applicable to most VAG cars fitted with rear disc brakes.

# Remove the road wheel. # Remove the brake pads from the caliper. # Remove the caliper mounting bolts. # Move the caliper out of the way, ensuring the caliper doesn't put any strain on the flexible brake hose. # Remove the Allen-key headed bolts securing the brake caliper carrier and then remove the carrier. Application of heat and use of a small Stilson wrench may be necessary to loosen stubborn carrier bolts. Replace the bolts if the Allen heads are worn or corroded.

# Remove the metal cap from the centre of the disc. # Remove the split pin, locking ring, nut and thrust washer from the stub axle. # Remove disc from the stub axle.

At this point you may need to extract the old wheel bearings from the old discs or fit new bearings, although some brake discs are supplied with new wheel bearings already fitted.

Fitting a bearing is simply a case of carefully tapping out the old bearing race with a hammer, followed by tapping the new race into place. Using a socket of approximately the same size (or slightly smaller) when tapping the race can help reduce the chance of damaging the bearing race.

Fitting new discs is simply a reversal of the above procedure.