🔧 Rear Brake Pads & Rotors - Replacement

Your GTI’s rear brakes use a floating caliper and separate rotor. This job replaces the pads and rotors together so braking stays even and quiet. It also gives you a chance to inspect the caliper hardware and parking brake cable while everything is apart.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Use jack stands. Never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Rear calipers must be rotated back while retracting. Do not force the piston straight in.
• Keep grease and brake cleaner off the pad friction surfaces.
• If the parking brake is set, release it before starting.
• After the job, pump the brake pedal before driving.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 17mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 16mm wrench
• Torx T30 screwdriver
• Torx T55 socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Caliper piston rewind tool (specialty)
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or hook
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Micrometer or rotor measuring tool
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Rear pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground.
• Set the parking brake, then release it only when ready to remove the rear wheels.
• Put the transmission in gear.
• Chock the front wheels.
• Loosen the rear wheel bolts slightly before lifting.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the rear

• Use a 17mm socket to loosen the rear wheel bolts 1/2 turn.
• Raise the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Support both sides with jack stands.
• Remove the rear wheels with the 17mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 16mm wrench and 13mm socket to remove the caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang it with a bungee cord or hook. Do not let it dangle by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the pads and hardware

• Pull out the old brake pads by hand.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware from the bracket.
• Clean the bracket with brake cleaner and a wire brush.
• Clean rust where the pads sit.

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• Use a Torx T30 screwdriver to remove the rotor retaining screw.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap it with a soft mallet or use a breaker bar gently at the hub area after cleaning rust.
• Remove the rotor from the hub.

Step 5: Prep the hub and install the new rotor

• Clean the hub face with a wire brush until it is smooth.
• Spray the hub with brake cleaner and wipe it dry.
• Install the new rotor.
• Install the Torx T30 retaining screw and snug it down.

Step 6: Retract the caliper piston

• Use a caliper piston rewind tool (specialty) to push and rotate the piston back into the caliper.
• Turn slowly until the piston is fully seated.
• Go slow to avoid seal damage.

Step 7: Install the new pads and caliper

• Install the new pad hardware clips in the bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the slide pins only.
• Install the new pads in the bracket.
• Position the caliper over the pads.
• Install the slide bolts with the 13mm socket and 16mm wrench.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Repeat on the other side

• Perform the same steps on the opposite rear wheel.
• Replace rear brakes in pairs for even braking.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and lower the car

• Install the wheels.
• Hand-tighten the wheel bolts with the 17mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle.
• Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs) using the torque wrench.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check that both rear wheels spin freely when the parking brake is released.
• Test the parking brake at low speed in a safe area.
• Listen for rubbing or grinding.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops unless needed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $550-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $370-$550 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.