🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Replacement

Your rear brake pads wear out over time and need to be replaced as a set on both sides. On your Jetta, the rear calipers must be compressed carefully before the new pads will fit, and the parking brake must be fully released first.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Never rely on a jack alone; support the car with jack stands.
• Release the parking brake before removing the rear calipers.
• Brake dust can be harmful; use safety glasses and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 17mm lug wrench or socket
• 7mm Allen socket
• 13mm socket
• 13mm wrench
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• C-clamp
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake firmly before lifting.
• Loosen the rear wheel bolts before raising the car.
• After lifting the rear, release the parking brake before removing the caliper.
• Keep the ignition off while working.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen and raise the rear of the car

• Use a 17mm lug wrench or socket to crack loose the rear wheel bolts while the car is still on the ground.
• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper rear jacking point.
• Set the car down securely on jack stands (rated for vehicle weight).
• Remove both rear wheels.

Step 2: Access the brake caliper

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed here; just work on one rear corner at a time.
• Inspect the caliper, rotor, and pad hardware for uneven wear or heavy rust.
• If the rotor has a big lip or deep scoring, it may need replacement too.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use a 7mm Allen socket to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket carefully.
• Support the caliper with a bungee cord or caliper hanger; do not let it hang by the brake hose.
• Hang the caliper immediately.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and clean the bracket with a wire brush and brake cleaner.
• Make sure the pad lands are free of rust and debris so the new pads slide smoothly.

Step 5: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp to slowly press the rear caliper piston back into the bore.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir under the hood so it does not overflow.
• If the piston resists, stop and make sure the parking brake is fully released.
• Compress slowly to avoid seal damage.

Step 6: Install the new pads and hardware

• Install the new pad clips from the brake pad hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper grease to the metal contact points only.
• Install the new inner and outer brake pads into the bracket.
• Make sure any wear indicators are installed in the same position as the old pads.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper back over the new pads.
• Use the 7mm Allen socket to reinstall the guide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).
• Make sure the caliper moves freely and the brake hose is not twisted.

Step 8: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-start the bolts.
• Lower the car with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the wheel bolts.
• Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the pads on the opposite rear wheel using the same steps.
• Always replace brake pads in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Before moving the car, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test the parking brake at low speed in a safe area.
• Listen for rubbing or dragging noises on the first drive.
• Break in the new pads with gentle stops for the first 200 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$310 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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