brake removal

1der · Post by **1der** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:19 am

planning to paint my calipers and carriers. is there a guide on how to remove them?

mk4 glx 1.6 · Post by **mk4 glx 1.6** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:26 pm

I replaced my discs and pads at the weekend, this is pretty useful as a guide to removing the caliper and carrier:

http://forums.clublupo.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=12689

In addition to the tools listed, I would have some penetrating oil and an impact driver handy as they may be needed. If you are changing either discs or pads, you'll also need an 11mm open ended spanner (for the brake bleed nipple) and a caliper wind back tool.

Hope this helps.

1der · Post by **1der** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:37 pm

thanks mate

Redline · Post by **Redline** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:46 pm

I found a big breaker bar was useful for getting those 18mm bolts undone, as they can be very tight.

New B · Post by **New B** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:19 pm

Redline wrote:I found a big breaker bar was useful for getting those 18mm bolts undone, as they can be very tight.

Tight isn't the word

me and my dad have scrapped knuckles to prove it

Dan_Gti · Post by **Dan_Gti** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:07 pm

It was time to change the front discs and pads so used the guide above and everything went smoothly. Bought standard OEM discs and some EBC Greenstuff pads. Used Halfords brake caliper paint and it seems to have done the trick.
Can't stop looking at my wheels now......although they won't stay this shiny for long!

sorted · Post by **sorted** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:55 pm

Shoulda got the g60 brake setup

Dan_Gti · Post by **Dan_Gti** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:41 pm

[quote="www.neil-f.net"]Shoulda got the g60 brake setup

I would have mate but I couldn't justify the extra amount, not when I've had to buy new rear discs and pads as well plus just had it serviced........

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:36 pm

i'm planning on doing this next weekend, is it a hard task? anything to look out for, I'm a bit unsettled about removing my brakes

Dan_Gti · Post by **Dan_Gti** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:22 am

Tim_GTi wrote:i'm planning on doing this next weekend, is it a hard task? anything to look out for, I'm a bit unsettled about removing my brakes

Its not a hard task at all. Replacing the discs and pads on the Polo is certainly easier than previous cars I have owned.
Just make sure you use a trolley jack and some axel stands for safety, you can get both together from Halfords for about Â£35.
You may find like some other people that the bolts will be pretty stiff when trying to undo them. This is why its good to have the axel stands as you don't want any movement

The only bit that was a little sore was compressing the brake using both my thumbs so it would fit back over the caliper and new brake pads. Watch out for the level of your brake fluid when doing this as it will rise when compressing them!
Just follow the guide in the link above and it will go smoothly.

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:38 am

Dan_Gti wrote:
Tim_GTi wrote:i'm planning on doing this next weekend, is it a hard task? anything to look out for, I'm a bit unsettled about removing my brakes
Its not a hard task at all. Replacing the discs and pads on the Polo is certainly easier than previous cars I have owned.
Just make sure you use a trolley jack and some axel stands for safety, you can get both together from Halfords for about Â£35.
You may find like some other people that the bolts will be pretty stiff when trying to undo them. This is why its good to have the axel stands as you don't want any movement
The only bit that was a little sore was compressing the brake using both my thumbs so it would fit back over the caliper and new brake pads. Watch out for the level of your brake fluid when doing this as it will rise when compressing them!
Just follow the guide in the link above and it will go smoothly.

cheers dude, just gotta get me a trolley jack and axle stands now!

Steve W · Post by **Steve W** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:02 pm

Can somebody tell me where's the best place to locate the trolley jack and axle stands? I painted my rear calipers when my wheels were being refurbed and I had the rear up on axle stands whilst the front sat on two spare wheels. Now I need to do the front calipers and just need to know where's the safest place for jacking up and placing axle stands at the front?

mk4 glx 1.6 · Post by **mk4 glx 1.6** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:38 pm

Steve, I personally jack the car up on the underbody just behind where the indent (arrows) are on the sideskirts.

I use a large piece of solid timber, 2" thick x 6"long x 4" wide, and site the cup of the jack in the middle of this. The timber is used to spread the load, opposed to it all being on the cup of the jack. I place the timber on the underbody in a suitable flat place just behind the sill and then work the jack up against it until I am happy it is central.

I then place the axle stands in a similar place on the underbody (obviously not in the way of the jack operation). Once again I use some 2" thick pieces of wood which I cut to the shape of the axle stand turrents to bear the load.

You should probably place the axle stands on the wishbone or sub frame if you can get to it, but in 7 years of using the above method on the 6n/2 chassis I havent had any issues.

Not the best picture, but it gives you some idea:

Steve W · Post by **Steve W** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 4:03 pm

Excellent, thanks for that. The pic really helps, will give that a go soon.

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 4:29 pm

Just had a thort, is the halfords caliper paint brush or spray? if its brush isn't it jsut easier to mask up unwanted areas and paint the calipers carefully still fully attached? or if not to just remove them from the disc but without pulling out the brake cable (to save having to bleed it n all that?)