- 04/09/2015
- 1 Min Read
- By: Alex Fiehl
How to Replace Front Brakes on a Volkswagen CC/Passat (Genuine VW)
After a full winter of hibernation, the shudder in my VW's braking system was not going to go away on its own. After 23,000mi the rotors began to develop a slight pulsation at elevated highway speeds. This is something that I find intolerable for any length of time, so it was time to swap them out.
Many Volkswagen parts tend to wear out their rear pads before the front, and that held true on my 2013 VW CC. The original front pads still looked new at 23,000 miles, so I elected to keep them as-is. They are a great pad that bites well and produces very little dust. When I need to replace them, there is nothing wrong with going Genuine VW.
Parts
Audi Disc Brake Rotor Front (A3 TT TT Quattro A3 Quattro) - Genuine VW Audi 1K0615301AA
A full kit including pads, brake lubricant, rotors, and hand wash is also available:
Audi VW Brake Kit Front (A3 TT Golf Jetta Passat) - Zimmermann/Akebono B6MK5BRKZIMM
Replacement
- Remove the spring clip from the front of the caliper, and disconnect the brake pad wear sensor (if equipped).
- Look at your new rotor. It is nice.
- Remove the dust caps from the rear of the caliper, exposing the caliper slide pins.
Loosen the two slide pins using a 7mm hex socket, and remove the caliper from the bracket. Hang the caliper from the strut spring so it is out of the way.
Remove the caliper bracket using a 21mm socket and breaker bar. These are extremely tight and will require the wheel to be turned for greater access.
Remove the rotor retaining screw with a T30 torx bit, remove the rotor, and clean the hub surface with a bristle brush.
Thoroughly clean the bracket's contact points with brake clean. Re-lubricate the slide points with hi-temp brake grease and re-install on the vehicle.
Install the pads into the bracket taking care to lubricate their slide points as well, then slide the caliper body over the pads. Tighten the slide pins, affix the spring clip to the front of the caliper, and plug in the brake wear sensor. (If equipped)