Car Performance Specs

How to Change Brake Pads on an Audi

1. Break the lug nuts loose on the Audi by turning them 1/4 turn on all of the wheels.
2. Raise the Audi onto jack stands. To do this, engage the emergency brake and jack up the front of the vehicle with the floor jack and make sure that you are jacking up on the front jack point located near the radiator (it is an extension of the frame of the Audi). Place the jack stands underneath the front pinch welds on the side of the Audi, and lower the vehicle onto the jack stands. Repeat this process for the rear of the vehicle, using the rear jack point located near the trunk as well as the rear pinch welds.
3. Continue removing the lug nuts and remove the wheel.
4. Unbolt the caliper mounting bolts and pull the caliper off the brake rotor.
5. Secure the brake rotor to the coil springs above the brake assembly with zip ties.
6. Remove the brake pads. You may need to tap them out of place with a rubber mallet.
7. Place the face of one of the brake pads over the caliper piston. Then, place the c-clamp over the caliper assembly and force the brake pad against the caliper piston. This will in turn push the caliper piston back into the caliper, making room for the new (thicker) brake pads.
8. Insert the new brake pads into the caliper and reassemble the caliper and brake assembly. Installation of pads is the reverse of removal.
9. Mount the wheels back over the hub assembly and tighten the lug nuts. Then, lower the Audi and torque the lug nuts to 100 foot-lbs using the torque wrench.