How to Change Brake Pads on a 97 VW Jetta

The brakes on your 1997 Volkswagen Jetta play a crucial role in the driving experience. When the brakes start to wear down, so does your stopping distance, until eventually you run the risk of losing your brakes entirely. It's recommended to turn or replace your rotors with every brake pad change, but that's not always possible to do. If you just need to change your pads, it can be done quickly--about 15 minutes per corner.

Instructions

1

Raise the front of the car with the jack and put it down onto the jack stands. Take off the wheel lugs using the tire iron and remove the front wheels.

2

Unbolt the bottom bolt on the brake caliper using two open-end wrenches. Flip the bottom of the brake caliper up until it's sticking just past vertical. Pull the brake pads out of the caliper housing.

3

Compress the piston in the middle of the brake caliper using the large C-clamp or the caliper clamp. Then insert the replacement pads into the caliper. Swing the top of the caliper down onto the brake rotor. Reinstall the lower brake caliper bolt using two wrenches.

4

Repeat steps 2 to 3 for the other side of the car. Reinstall the wheels with the tire iron and then set the car on the ground using the jack.