Guys, I put new rear discs and pads on the 1.6fsi this week and found the posts on here and elsewhere to be very helpful. Some tips for those that havent done this job:
1) The hex bolts that need to be removed from the carrier on the hub prior to removing the discs where pretty solidly locked up on mine (8 years of being static). Although I have a decent set of tools I was lacking a hex bit to fit my socket set so used an Allen key with a suitable socket on an extension bar and couldnt get the blighters to budge. So a dousing in penetrating oil overnight is the first tip and then then next day after a bit of sweat they came out OK. Second tip is get a hex bit...
2) I've never changed rear discs before (its always been fronts on other cars) and havent had to deal with the handbrake adjustment so decided not to try the usual methods of compressing the caliper piston but decided instead to buy a rewind tool. What a treat it was to use this and see the piston move in the right manner into its cylinder. Thats the third tip, invest in a rewind tool, mine cost about a tenner and for the money its well worth it.
Thats about it, the first side took me about an hour as I learned how things worked and the second about half that time. Parts cost me about £50 I recall and with the rewind tool the job cost much less than I had been quoted plus I have a nice spanner rash to proudly show off to people. BTW it goes without saying that I used axle stands when the wheels were off and my trusty hydraulic jack lifted the A2 as if it wasnt there, unlike when I do the same with my E-Class estate!
Cheers Keith
1) The hex bolts that need to be removed from the carrier on the hub prior to removing the discs where pretty solidly locked up on mine (8 years of being static). Although I have a decent set of tools I was lacking a hex bit to fit my socket set so used an Allen key with a suitable socket on an extension bar and couldnt get the blighters to budge. So a dousing in penetrating oil overnight is the first tip and then then next day after a bit of sweat they came out OK. Second tip is get a hex bit...
2) I've never changed rear discs before (its always been fronts on other cars) and havent had to deal with the handbrake adjustment so decided not to try the usual methods of compressing the caliper piston but decided instead to buy a rewind tool. What a treat it was to use this and see the piston move in the right manner into its cylinder. Thats the third tip, invest in a rewind tool, mine cost about a tenner and for the money its well worth it.
Thats about it, the first side took me about an hour as I learned how things worked and the second about half that time. Parts cost me about £50 I recall and with the rewind tool the job cost much less than I had been quoted plus I have a nice spanner rash to proudly show off to people. BTW it goes without saying that I used axle stands when the wheels were off and my trusty hydraulic jack lifted the A2 as if it wasnt there, unlike when I do the same with my E-Class estate!
Cheers Keith
Last edited: