DIY Brake Rotor and Pad change

[likewater]

Guys,

I just got a set of Adam's http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186185 brake rotors front and rear and want to put them on with a fresh set of Hawk HPS pads.
I have searched everywhere for a DIY thread for a B6 rotor and pad replacement and can't find anything -some for an A4 but nothing specific to the S4. Has anyone done this job, and if so can you please point me in the right direction. Do I need any special tools or tool sizes, can I do this job without bleeding the brakes, etc?

TIA

[RAudi Driver]

it's a pretty straight forward job. just take of the wheel and you'll see what you need to do. You don't need to bleed the brakes on a rotor and pad change. you will need a brake piston tool to get the piston back into the caliper.

[ngng]

also make sure you release your parking brake :)

[likewater]

Cool, sounds like it'll be pretty easy and thanks for the info. I'll let you know how it comes out when I get a chance to do the job.

[DoThisMyWay]

Here's a link for a front pad replacement on the B6/7 S4 on AW:
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel137.shtml

After you have the caliper off, it's pretty obvious what bolts need to be removed to get the carrier off and then the rotor. It's not that difficult of job but those carrier bolts are on there pretty tight.

[likewater]

Here's a link for a front pad replacement on the B6/7 S4 on AW:
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel137.shtml

After you have the caliper off, it's pretty obvious what bolts need to be removed to get the carrier off and then the rotor. It's not that difficult of job but those carrier bolts are on there pretty tight.

Perfect just what I was looking for. Looks pretty damn easy. Thanks very much dothismyway!!!

[Badmamerjamma]

Does anyone know if this applies for the back brakes or not??? I need to do my back brakes and I was just checking before I get neck deep in the job.

[JimmyBones]

The rear brakes need a special tool to rotate the brake caliper piston as it is pressed back into place. Otherwise you need a 13mm wrench and a slim 15mm wrench or locking pliers to get the caliper free. With the right tools it is easier to do the rear brakes on these cars then the fronts.

[B6JoeS4]

You can rent the special tool from o'reileys or (sp)

[Patrickholliway]

Good info. I have to replace brakes and pads soon too, after I figure out this misfire. I haven't really looked in to it yet on the s4 so this was helpful. I usually use a large c-clamp for seating the caliper pistons. For dual piston I just use the old brake pad and c-clamp over it to push the pistons evenly. Might want to have a Set of carrier screws on hand before you start too, especially if these require some weird size that you may not find locally. As stated, they don't come out easily and can mess up when taking them out.

[djs]

It's really not too difficult, if you have the right tools. I did all 4 corners about 6 months ago and followed the link above. Some of the bolts are a PITA to get to because they're on the back side. I think it's a 7mm Allen wrench on the backside to loosen the calipers. The clip can also be a pain, I used a big screen drive and covered the caliper with a towel so it didn't fly up and hit me in the face or hit the car. You will need the brake caliper tool to press the cylinder back into the caliper. You'll want to take the top of the brake fluid reservoir when you do this, but put some towels around the opening so it doesn't leak all over. The rotors can be difficult to get out. If you take the caliper bracket off, it's super easy, just one torx screw. You can squeeze them out with the bracket still on, but it's not fun. The only other thing you may run into is stuck rotors. If that's the case hit them with some penetrating oil, let them sit then hit them with a big ass hammer, they should pop right off.

[dparm]

I can do the entire job in about 90 minutes now (for the front), including swapping rotors.. Once you've done it, it's really easy the second time around.

[buffalony]

You can also twist in the piston on the rear calipers with a pair of needle nose plyers, i did my brakes this weekend all in all it wasnt a bad job but you def need a breaker bar for some of the bolts