Hey this novice needs help, I'm thinking about replacing the brakes on my
2000 Audi A4 1.8T. I've never worked on my car before but am really getting
tired of the high prices at the dealership and I think I can do this job.
I'm technically inclined but just lack the experience with auto's. Any
comments, words of advice.

Tim in Portland

Tim in Portland wrote:
GO for it. It's not hard. Just get yourself an allen bit set and a pad
seperator.

"Tim in Portland" <timothy_p_ryan (AT) verizon (DOT) net> wrote

Brakes are not hard to deal with but are somewhat important to you & your
health & well-being so you need to get it right first time.

Step 1: Buy a Manual - preferably Bentley

Step 2: Google for threads on the job in hand

Step 3 Have a look at www.audiworld.com & see if there is a write up on what
you want to do.

Depending on what you plan to do:

a) Brake fluid eats paintwork - be careful with it.

b) Grease/Oil/WD40 & brake pads & disks do not mix - a can of brake cleaner
is your friend & make sure you do not get any oil/grease on the disks or
pads. If you are replacing disks (rotors) they come coated in oil so you
need to degrease them thoroughly.

c) If you are planning to change the pads you'll need to retract/wind back
the calipers - you may need a special tool to do this. When you wind back
the calipers you will force fluid back out & up through the system - this
can i) damage your ABS and ii) overflow the fluid reservoir. Solution is to
release fluid from the bleed nipple on the caliper (via a hose into a jar!)
as you wind the thing back.

d) You will most likely need some copper grease to lubricate caliper guide
pins & also a torque wrench to tighten stuff up to the write levels. You
will also probably need a set of Hex bits with a 7mm bit being your most
likely freind!

e) If your brake fluid is 2 years old or more you should change it.

HTH

I

Iain Miller wrote:
It's nice that you took the time to type this, just one minor point. You
should mention that your step C only applies to the rears.

Thanks everyone, I'm going to order the pads and rotors today. I'll let you
know how it goes.

"Tim in Portland" <timothy_p_ryan (AT) verizon (DOT) net> wrote

"Tim in Portland" <timothy_p_ryan (AT) verizon (DOT) net> wrote

I assume you're in the US. When I did my rears a couple of years ago, the
tool for retracting the rear caliper pistons was available to borrow for
free from Autozone. You didn't even have to buy your parts from them. Trying
to do the rears without the tool would be a PIA IMHO.

Aagh...do NOT use "copper grease" on guide pins!!

It will swell the seals/dust boots.

Use stuff labeled 'High Temp Silicone Grease" , or "Disc Brake Grease",
or something labeled specifcly for the purpose. Like this:
http://www.permatex.com/auto/autouc....tem_no= 20355

"Brakes are not hard to deal with but are somewhat important to you &
your
health & well-being so you need to get it right first time." was a nice
thought, but as usual the devil is in the details



"Iain Miller" <donot (AT) spam (DOT) me> wrote

Unless you're still covered by warranty, you should be going to an independent, especially for routine stuff like brakes. There are
many qualified, even factory trained mechanics out there. Not that you have to be a factory trained to do brakes.

cp