How to Change Rear Brake Pads on a VW Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta is a small family car that has been in continuous production since 1979. This vehicle uses disc brakes on the rear wheels, which require brake pads. The replacement procedure for the brake pads on the rear wheels is the same for all versions of the Volkswagen Jetta made since 2000.
- Jack
- Jack stand
- Lug wrench
- Box-end wrench
- Socket wrench
- Shop rag
- Raise the Volkswagen Jetta on jacks and support it on jack stands. Disconnect the lug nuts from the rear wheels with a lug wrench and remove the wheels from the vehicle.
- Drain some of the brake fluid from the master cylinder so that it doesn't overflow when you replace the brake pads. Disconnect the cable for the parking break from the brake caliper.
- Hold the guide pin for the brake caliper with a box-end wrench. Remove the upper mounting bolt from the caliper with a socket wrench. Push the caliper down and remove the brake pads from their carrier on the caliper.
- Push the piston on the brake caliper into its housing by turning the piston clockwise with a socket wrench. Clean the anchor plate with a shop rag.
- Now the new brake pads onto the carrier of the brake caliper. Install the self-locking bolts to the pads and tighten them to 26 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.
- Connect the parking brake cable to the brake caliper and refill the master brake cylinder with brake fluid as required. Install the rear wheels and lower the vehicle.
- Pump the brake pedal to pressurize the braking system, which typically requires 40 pumps. Ensure the parking brake functions correctly, and adjust the tension on the cable if needed.