Brake Caliper torque specs or replace bolts

[beckmaster]

Can someone please point me in the right direction? I need the caliper bolt torque specs for the front and rear brakes on a stock brake kit. I'm in a 2013 S5 with 19" wheels. Interestingly enough Audi replaces those bolts with every brake job.

[NVMarkus]

The bolt that holds caliper on is in the 40lb range front and rear per spec from aftermarket caliper company, if it’s the one holding bracket to wheel assembly it’s about 72lb torque

[Ape Factory]

Most of the bolts Audi uses are what's called stretch bolts. They actually do stretch when you torque them to spec. Hence they can only be used once. I see a lot of aftermarket companies state that they need to be replaced but if you don't, they usually recommend torque to spec plus an additional 45 degrees and use Loctite blue or similar.

Will look up the torque specs. BRB.

[beckmaster]

Most of the bolts Audi uses are what's called stretch bolts. They actually do stretch when you torque them to spec. Hence they can only be used once. I see a lot of aftermarket companies state that they need to be replaced but if you don't, they usually recommend torque to spec plus an additional 45 degrees and use Loctite blue or similar.

Will look up the torque specs. BRB.

That makes tons of sense. Expense but makes sense. I am awaiting your specs response when you get it. Thanks.

[Ape Factory]

Rear brakes...assuming the OP is referring to the bolts labeled as #4 in the diagram below. Those are self-locking and must be replaced each time. They're torqued to 35 Nm. When loosening or tightening those, counter old at the guide pin.

The caliper bracket bolts, #16 & #17, are torqued to 100nm + 90 degrees rotation of the torque wrench. Those are stretch bolts and it doesn't specifically state to replace them but it does say to clean them which to me, doesn't make much sense.



Front brake caliper-Says to replace the bolts listed below. I'd imagine you can reuse #4 plus 10Nm and use loctite blue in a pinch.
#4 30Nm
#3 196NM

[Ape Factory]

I don't mind looking up specs for folks when I have time but anyone who's going to wrench on one of these cars needs to purchase the PDF's from Audi. They're less than $40 and you own them for life (or til your computer hard drive crashes and you loose everything!). It's really easy.

Go to To get the factory service manuals for your vehicle go here:
https://erwin.audi.com/erwin/showOrderFlatrate.do

You'll want the 24-hour flat rate which is under $40 (euros, so it fluctuates).
You'll sign up for an account (free). Choose the flat rate one day. You'll then be able to search for any and all PDF's related to the RS5, S5 and A5 line (or any Audi for that matter). Some of the PDF's don't specifically say RS5 or S5 and will say A5 repair for whatever but include RS5 and S5 information. So I downloaded pretty much everything I could for the A5/S5 and RS5 and sorted through it later. Just search a number of different ways. Plus you can download lots of other cool docs on other models.

Once you've downloaded, you can open them on your computer at any time. If using Adobe Acrobat, disable Java and you'll get rid of the initial warning PDF that pops up. You just scroll to the bottom of those and hit "Ok" and the FSM opens. But just disable Java in the preferences and you don't need to do that each and every time.

[beckmaster]

I don't mind looking up specs for folks when I have time but anyone who's going to wrench on one of these cars needs to purchase the PDF's from Audi. They're less than $40 and you own them for life (or til your computer hard drive crashes and you loose everything!). It's really easy.

Go to To get the factory service manuals for your vehicle go here:
https://erwin.audi.com/erwin/showOrderFlatrate.do

You'll want the 24-hour flat rate which is under $40 (euros, so it fluctuates).
You'll sign up for an account (free). Choose the flat rate one day. You'll then be able to search for any and all PDF's related to the RS5, S5 and A5 line (or any Audi for that matter). Some of the PDF's don't specifically say RS5 or S5 and will say A5 repair for whatever but include RS5 and S5 information. So I downloaded pretty much everything I could for the A5/S5 and RS5 and sorted through it later. Just search a number of different ways. Plus you can download lots of other cool docs on other models.

Once you've downloaded, you can open them on your computer at any time. If using Adobe Acrobat, disable Java and you'll get rid of the initial warning PDF that pops up. You just scroll to the bottom of those and hit "Ok" and the FSM opens. But just disable Java in the preferences and you don't need to do that each and every time.

I had no idea that existed and for $40 bucks it seams more than worth it. Thanks for the link and advice on torque specs. You rock.

[A4x]

What is the PN for bolt #4 that holds the rear caliper to the carrier? Can't find it anywhere...

[old guy]

What is the PN for bolt #4 that holds the rear caliper to the carrier? Can't find it anywhere...

Clicky click®

[skiingscot]

Rear brakes...assuming the OP is referring to the bolts labeled as #4 in the diagram below. Those are self-locking and must be replaced each time. They're torqued to 35 Nm. When loosening or tightening those, counter old at the guide pin.

The caliper bracket bolts, #16 & #17, are torqued to 100nm + 90 degrees rotation of the torque wrench. Those are stretch bolts and it doesn't specifically state to replace them but it does say to clean them which to me, doesn't make much sense.



Front brake caliper-Says to replace the bolts listed below. I'd imagine you can reuse #4 plus 10Nm and use loctite blue in a pinch.
#4 30Nm
#3 196NM

Does anyone know the part number for bolt 3 (2nd image). I am missing the top bolt on my front near side caliper bracket and struggling to find a replacement. Thanks in advance

[old guy]

Does anyone know the part number for bolt 3 (2nd image). I am missing the top bolt on my front near side caliper bracket and struggling to find a replacement. Thanks in advance

Without knowing more about your model I can't say. But here is a great resource for finding part numbers: Clicky click® You can even search by your VIN.

[skiingscot]

Without knowing more about your model I can't say. But here is a great resource for finding part numbers: Clicky click® You can even search by your VIN.

Thanks old guy, i managed to track down the part number and grabbed the required bolts at the local dealership. Great resource for future reference added to the bookmarks.

[EddieH]

Can someone please point me in the right direction? I need the caliper bolt torque specs for the front and rear brakes on a stock brake kit. I'm in a 2013 S5 with 19" wheels. Interestingly enough Audi replaces those bolts with every brake job.

Generally, Audi marks all torque-to-yield bolts (otherwise known as stretch bolts) with a light green color on the head of the bolt. Even from the factory, you can see this on the bolt heads. Buying new bolts from the dealership will also have the color on the heads if they are stretch bolts. I learned this a while ago when working on some suspension modifications. Oddly enough, if you know that a stretch bolt hasn't exceeded it's yield point, it can be safety reused. This would apply to factory installed stretch bolts that have not be removed. But bolts are generally low cost, so it's probably a better idea to just replace them, especially in critical areas like brakes.

[Robocop1127]

Thanks old guy, i managed to track down the part number and grabbed the required bolts at the local dealership. Great resource for future reference added to the bookmarks.

(Hey skiingscot, any chance that you could post up a picture of those front caliper to side bracket bolts shown in that second image as being # 3 showing the 2 bolts please,thanks again)