1998 A4 - replacing front brakes - easy ?

spaarky · 08-11-08, 04:44 AM

1998 S-reg A4 1.9Tdi - front discs and pads need replacing - is this as straightforward as I think it should be (I don't got no manual), or do I need any special tools ? i.e. to undo caliper bolts, wind in the caliper pistons etc ? Many thanks for any pointers

msh · 08-11-08, 06:47 AM

Must be tipical way - 17mm wrench for wheels and jack - allready comes with car

and 13, 15 and 17mm wrenches - one for each size - 13 and 15 mm for caliper, 17mm for caliper housing. Also wire brush, to clean brake carrier in places, where pads are holding - most likely there is enough rust. Also, be ready, that theese two 17mm bolts, which holds brake carrier, may be stuck and can be released only with force - maybe will need some bigger wrench

I was able to unscrew theese bolts on my B3 only with pneumatic pistol

Also, if u do that - get some grease for pad retaining pins - they can stuck, if they do, pads and disc is forced to wear. Pins must move freely. They can be pulled out, but using brain

- doing it too fast and strong that piece of rubber can be smashed. If there is rust, clean it with brush wire. If some pin is allready stuck - and u can't loosen it - better get other brake carrier with pins from junkyard. I don't know about front calipers, rear ones are identical on number of VAG cars - B3, B4, B5, also some vw's etc.
Ahh, almost forgot

- when u have unscrewd caliper, pull it with force towards u - u must stamp caliper's piston inside, otherwise u cant place your new pads - there will not be place for them. Let's say - if u have pads worn out almost to metal - u must stamp piston for some 2 cm - I hope u got the idea

If u have brake fluid at maximum level - don't worry, if it leaks from expansion tank

After u have finished, pump brake pedal until pedal is as usual.

P.S. Two questions - first, how much does cost this thing in uk?

[I'm too lazy to check out it in autodata

] Second - I presume, because of labour costs, thing like brake disc turning isn't known in western world?

[I'm just asking

]

spaarky · 08-11-08, 06:46 PM

msh - many thanks for your help and the info. I've changed a few discs in my time, on vw & audi (mostly old or v old) and all have been straightforward, but have I never played with a 1998 A4 and am hoping no special audi tools required, although I have all usual workshop tools and can probably make up any drifting etc tools. Do you think the front caliper pistons can just be pushed back into the caliper in order to fit the new pads ? I ask since the pistons in the rear calipers on my own audi, need to be screwed back into the caliper, which is a bit painful on 20 year old pistons.

As for turning the discs, it's often cheaper just to replace, and in this case, the discs have worn down over the years so there's not enough metal left & replacement is required. For costs, I've been quoted £47 for 2 new front discs and a full set of front pads, which seems pretty good although I may be able to find cheaper. A few years ago, I changed the front discs on my A80 Quattro - large vented ABS discs - and I was shocked that I got them from a reputable supplier for only £11 each ! That's brand new, and german too !

msh · 08-11-08, 08:45 PM

Pistons of rear calipers need to be screwed because there is handbrake's mechanism, as far as I know, there is also type of rear calipers that can be pushed, but don't have seen them yet

For to push front calipers pistons, I use "tool" - enough big screw, screwd into little plate of metal - to use it, just need place against piston [or pistons] old pad, that little plate is placed in place, which holds other pad, and then just need to screw that bolt out, pushing old pad and piston[s] with it

Ahh, forgot that I changed B5 fwd 1.8 20v rotors and pads - nothing special, just like fwd B3 or B4

Nice price for discs and pads

Avarage price for font discs is some 30 lvl and upwards, avarage price is ~10 lvl for crappy ones and from 15 lvl and upwards for enough good ones [at the moment one pound costs 0,8660 lvl]

I was forgotten about that - I'll check out prices at klaipeda, lituania - in shops there prices are some 20-30% lower than here, one reason for that - It costs so fckn much because shops must get them from our capital [250 kms] and they also need profit. In the same time, disc turning costs some 8 lvl for disc, disc and pad replacing in workshops [the ones where u cost for work, not time spent - that do here only some dealer workshops - if they wouldn't be dealers - their workshop would be empty

] some 10 lvl per axle, if I remember correctly.

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08-11-08, 06:47 AM	#2
msh 4 ring whore! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rucava, Latvija Posts: 3,816	Must be tipical way - 17mm wrench for wheels and jack - allready comes with car and 13, 15 and 17mm wrenches - one for each size - 13 and 15 mm for caliper, 17mm for caliper housing. Also wire brush, to clean brake carrier in places, where pads are holding - most likely there is enough rust. Also, be ready, that theese two 17mm bolts, which holds brake carrier, may be stuck and can be released only with force - maybe will need some bigger wrench I was able to unscrew theese bolts on my B3 only with pneumatic pistol Also, if u do that - get some grease for pad retaining pins - they can stuck, if they do, pads and disc is forced to wear. Pins must move freely. They can be pulled out, but using brain - doing it too fast and strong that piece of rubber can be smashed. If there is rust, clean it with brush wire. If some pin is allready stuck - and u can't loosen it - better get other brake carrier with pins from junkyard. I don't know about front calipers, rear ones are identical on number of VAG cars - B3, B4, B5, also some vw's etc. Ahh, almost forgot - when u have unscrewd caliper, pull it with force towards u - u must stamp caliper's piston inside, otherwise u cant place your new pads - there will not be place for them. Let's say - if u have pads worn out almost to metal - u must stamp piston for some 2 cm - I hope u got the idea If u have brake fluid at maximum level - don't worry, if it leaks from expansion tank After u have finished, pump brake pedal until pedal is as usual. P.S. Two questions - first, how much does cost this thing in uk? [I'm too lazy to check out it in autodata ] Second - I presume, because of labour costs, thing like brake disc turning isn't known in western world? [I'm just asking ]

08-11-08, 06:46 PM	#3
spaarky Grown up member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 124	msh - many thanks for your help and the info. I've changed a few discs in my time, on vw & audi (mostly old or v old) and all have been straightforward, but have I never played with a 1998 A4 and am hoping no special audi tools required, although I have all usual workshop tools and can probably make up any drifting etc tools. Do you think the front caliper pistons can just be pushed back into the caliper in order to fit the new pads ? I ask since the pistons in the rear calipers on my own audi, need to be screwed back into the caliper, which is a bit painful on 20 year old pistons. As for turning the discs, it's often cheaper just to replace, and in this case, the discs have worn down over the years so there's not enough metal left & replacement is required. For costs, I've been quoted £47 for 2 new front discs and a full set of front pads, which seems pretty good although I may be able to find cheaper. A few years ago, I changed the front discs on my A80 Quattro - large vented ABS discs - and I was shocked that I got them from a reputable supplier for only £11 each ! That's brand new, and german too !

08-11-08, 08:45 PM	#4
msh 4 ring whore! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rucava, Latvija Posts: 3,816	Pistons of rear calipers need to be screwed because there is handbrake's mechanism, as far as I know, there is also type of rear calipers that can be pushed, but don't have seen them yet For to push front calipers pistons, I use "tool" - enough big screw, screwd into little plate of metal - to use it, just need place against piston [or pistons] old pad, that little plate is placed in place, which holds other pad, and then just need to screw that bolt out, pushing old pad and piston[s] with it Ahh, forgot that I changed B5 fwd 1.8 20v rotors and pads - nothing special, just like fwd B3 or B4 Nice price for discs and pads Avarage price for font discs is some 30 lvl and upwards, avarage price is ~10 lvl for crappy ones and from 15 lvl and upwards for enough good ones [at the moment one pound costs 0,8660 lvl] I was forgotten about that - I'll check out prices at klaipeda, lituania - in shops there prices are some 20-30% lower than here, one reason for that - It costs so fckn much because shops must get them from our capital [250 kms] and they also need profit. In the same time, disc turning costs some 8 lvl for disc, disc and pad replacing in workshops [the ones where u cost for work, not time spent - that do here only some dealer workshops - if they wouldn't be dealers - their workshop would be empty ] some 10 lvl per axle, if I remember correctly.