🔧 Rear Brake Pads and Rotors - Replacement

Replace the rear pads and rotors if you have squealing, grinding, vibration, or low pad material. On your Jetta, the rear caliper piston must be rotated back during installation, so this is a little more involved than a front brake job.

Assumption: This guide is for rear disc brakes, not rear drums.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Support the car with jack stands. Never rely on the jack alone.
• Release the parking brake before removing the rear calipers.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Use a piston wind-back tool for the rear caliper piston. It must be turned while being compressed.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Wear safety glasses and gloves.

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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
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 16mm wrench
• Torx T30 screwdriver
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Caliper hanger hook
• Brake caliper piston wind-back tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can
• High-temperature brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and engage the parking brake.
• Loosen the rear wheel bolts before lifting the car.
• After the car is safely in the air, release the parking brake.
• If the rear pads are worn very low, check the brake fluid level before pushing the pistons back.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the rear wheel bolts

• Use a 17mm socket to break loose the rear wheel bolts while the car is still on the ground.
• Do not remove them yet. Just loosen them a turn or two.

Step 2: Raise and support the car

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear of the car at the proper rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the rear support points and lower the car onto them.
• Finish removing the wheel bolts with a 17mm socket and take off the rear wheels.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use a 16mm wrench and 13mm socket to remove the rear caliper guide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a caliper hanger hook or bungee cord.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove the old brake pads and hardware

• Pull the old pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and spring hardware from the bracket.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver if the clips are stuck.

Step 5: Remove the rotor retaining screw and rotor

• Use a Torx T30 screwdriver to remove the rotor retaining screw.
• Pull the rotor off the hub. If it is stuck, tap it gently from behind with a soft mallet.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the hub with brake cleaner and wipe it clean.

Step 6: Retract the rear caliper piston

• Use the brake caliper piston wind-back tool (specialty) to rotate and compress the piston fully into the caliper.
• Make sure the piston face lines up correctly with the pad tab position before installing the new pads.
• Go slowly to avoid damaging the piston seal.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove shipping oil.
• Slide the rotor onto the hub.
• Install the rotor retaining screw using a Torx T30 screwdriver.
• Torque to 4 Nm (35 in-lbs).

Step 8: Install the new pad hardware and pads

• Install the new anti-rattle clips and pad hardware in the caliper bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake grease to pad contact points only.
• Install the new inner and outer pads in the bracket.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper over the new pads and bracket.
• Install the guide bolts using a 13mm socket and 16mm wrench.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall the wheel

• Mount the wheel and hand-thread the wheel bolts.
• Lower the car enough for the tire to touch the ground.
• Use a 17mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the wheel bolts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Repeat on the other side

• Repeat the same steps on the opposite rear corner.
• Replace pads and rotors in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Before driving, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• Expect a short break-in period for the new pads and rotors.
• If you hear rubbing or feel vibration, recheck pad seating and wheel torque.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$750 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$320 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$430 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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