How to Fix 2003 VW Jetta Rear Brakes

The 2003 Volkswagen Jetta uses brake calipers and pads on its rear wheels along with the front ones. In most cases, fixing the rear brakes means changing the brake pads, which you usually need to do at 60,000 miles. The brake disc, however, may also need service, especially if you used worn-out brake pads for tool long. You should always check the disc's condition at the same time that you change the pads.

Instructions

Preparation

1

Loosen the bolts on the rear wheels with your tire iron, then raise the car's rear end with the floor jack and support it on jack stands.

2

Remove both rear wheels with the tire iron.

3

Wash off both brake assemblies using an aerosol brake cleaner and a drip pan underneath to catch the dripping residue.

Brake Pads

4

Unscrew and remove the brake caliper mounting bolts--grip the slide pin with an open-ended wrench while unscrewing the bolt with a flare-nut wrench--and remove the caliper. Hang the caliper by a length of strong wire so it won't hang by the hose.

5

Pull the inner and outer brake pads from the caliper mounting bracket.

6

Remove the retaining springs from the mounting bracket, using needle-nose pliers, and install new ones.

7

Peel off the foil backing on the replacement brake pads if they have them; these pads have an adhesive backing. Apply an anti-squeal compound to the backing plates if they do not have adhesive.

8

Install the replacement pads in the caliper mounting bracket.

9

Rotate the caliper piston clockwise with a rotation tool while pushing in on the piston with the end of the flare-nut wrench to retract the piston.

10

Remove the slide pins from the caliper, clean them and apply high temperature grease before re-installing them.

11

Install the caliper with its mounting bolts, then reconnect both wheels and lower the car after changing the brakes on both sides.

Brake Disc

12

Inspect the condition of the brake disc while the wheels and caliper are removed, looking for cracks or deep grooves. Proceed with the remaining steps if the disc needs replacing.

13

Unscrew the mounting bolts for the caliper mounting bracket with your wrench and remove the bracket from the disc.

14

Remove the retaining screw for the disc, if there is one, using an impact screwdriver, then slip the disc off the wheel studs.

15

Place the replacement brake disc on the hub flange and line up the bolt holes. Install and tighten the retaining screw.

16

Install the caliper mounting bracket and caliper with their mounting bolts.