VW Brake Rotor Replacement Tutorial

You will typically replace the rotors on your Volkswagen when you change the brake pads. You should never put new rotors on the VW with old brake pads. Brake pads wear to match the surface of the brake rotors. If you change the rotors and keep the old pads, you might find that they do not work as well. Regardless, the process of replacing the rotors is not difficult, and each wheel will take about 30 minutes for someone who's never done this before.

Instructions

1

Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Raise the VW with an automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the car near the jacking point and raise it to the frame.

2

Unscrew the lug nuts on the wheel with a lug wrench then remove the wheel. Remove the brake caliper with a ratchet and socket. Secure the caliper to the strut. Do not let the caliper hang loose or you will damage the brake line.

3

Remove the retaining screws from the rotor with a screwdriver. Pull the rotor off the wheel assembly. If it does not come off easily, hit it several times with a rubber mallet until it breaks free.

4

Install the new rotor onto the wheel assembly and secure it with the retaining screws, tightening them with the screwdriver. Put the caliper onto the mounting bracket and tighten the retaining bolts with the socket and ratchet.

5

Remount the wheel onto the car and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the Volkswagen and lower the vehicle to the ground. Repeat the process on the other wheel.