Changing the front brake discs and pads on an Audi A3 II

Start by unlocking the 5 wheel bolts (not counterclockwise). Do not unscrew them completely!

Place the jack under the car and raise the front wheel (enough so that it turns). You can add a jack stand to secure the vehicle.

Unscrew the bolts completely (no need to force) and remove the wheel.

We now have access to the stirrup

Remove the wear indicator from its housing (behind the caliper).

Disconnect the wear indicator: use a small screwdriver to lever and pull on the other part.

Remove the plastic covers with a small screwdriver. There are two behind the caliper (one at the top and one at the bottom).

With a 7 mm Allen key, unscrew the two pins that hold the caliper (clockwise). They are hidden under the rubbers.

When the pins are unscrewed, remove them from their housing with a small screwdriver.

You can hang the caliper on the suspension spring to avoid straining the brake hose.

Using a screwdriver, make sure that the metal clips no longer force the caliper.

Rotate to remove the caliper (bottom of the caliper resting on the caliper support). If the disc is very worn, the caliper may be difficult to remove (lever the piston with a screwdriver to have some play, be careful not to touch the plastic seal of the piston).

Remove the pads (lines). One of the two pads is clipped into the piston hollow.

New front pads on the left and used pads on the right.

Remove the 7mm (torx) screw.

Remove the disc. If the disc does not come off easily, add a little penetrating oil and tap with a mallet to dislodge it.

New disc / Used disk

Clean the contact surface of the disc with penetrating oil and a wire brush.

Place the new disc and tighten the disc retaining screw.

Push the caliper piston back using the piston pusher or multi-grip pliers to allow the new pads to be fitted.

Piston fully pushed back.

Place the new pads in their housing.

Reposition the caliper.

Replace the pins and tighten them with a 7mm Allen key. Replace the plastic covers to protect the pins. The caliper is now in place.

Place the wheel in place and tighten the 5 bolts by hand (until the stop).

Lower the car and remove the jack.

Tighten the 5 bolts crosswise to 120Nm.