9N front brake pads and discs change help?

[matt59]

Hi guys. Hoping to do my front brake pads and discs next weekend on my 2002 1.9 tdi sport.

I've done many pad and disc chnages before. My question is do i need a specific tool to push the front brake calipers back in? Do they wind in or do they push back in?

The reason i am changing them is because they are noisey, which i put down to cheap pads, and the front brake discs are very slightly warped. Can anyone sufggest some good budget discs and pads.

Finally, do i need to copper grease the back of the pad?

Thanks,

Matt

[ihpj]

Hi mate, I don't want to sound judgemental, however fitting cheap brakes is the reason you are changing your brakes now - noisey, poor quality, warped discs - now to fit another set of cheapies will leave you in the same position you're in now. So I guess what you mean is where can you get good price brakes. For me I'd look @ Euros or GSF and get stuff from Jurid or ATE. Sometimes you'd be surprised how competitive your VW dealer can be.

For me, I fit OE for peace of mind (plus the car is under warranty!) - but negotiate hard for a discount. I did the pads/discs on my Mothers 9N and IIRC I just pushed the piston back (no winding); although I'm sure winding is the preferred safe method.

Good luck!

[smithysmoo]

Think winding is only needed on rear brakes that have the handbrake linked up to them. Well that was the case on my T4 not sure on polos. Never had to wind in front brakes on any car I've done.

[munsterpolo]

Did the front pads on my polo 9n. just push it back no special tools required. It would be no harm to put a small bit of copper grease on I didn't put any on mine so there was a small noice off them no longer the case now. Never did the disc but i say they are the same to take off as other cars. Might have to watch out for the abs sensor.

[RUM4MO]

I just bought ATE discs from ECP and Pagid pads from GSF as VW fit Pagid to the front of Polo 9N and Textar to the rear of Polo 9N. Just remember to get ones with a wear sensor if your car has that system on it. On using a rewind tool on the front callipers, they don't need it but if you have a rewind tool and reverse the fitting it can be used to force the the piston back in a controlled way - saves you using large screwdrivers and bits of wood - or a large pair of waterpump pliers! If you are lucky and manage to buy the correct pads, then if they need anti-squeal pads they should be already fitted, but it would be smart to put a bit of copper grease on all the usual contact points - ie where they touch the calliper carriers.

[matt59]

Hi. Does anyone know if a Polo 1.9 tdi sport '02 has front brake pad wear sensors?

Thanks,

Matt

[RUM4MO]

Hi. Does anyone know if a Polo 1.9 tdi sport '02 has front brake pad wear sensors?
Thanks, Matt

Right, four ways to work this out without looking under the car, 1) has your car got PR code 9U1 (brake pad wear indicator) might show up on the build statement stuck inside the service book and spare wheel well 2) does your car have a brake wear warning indicator on dash (see handbook to identify it) 3) go to your local VW dealer's parts dept, hand over your car's VIN details and ask nicely for a printout of your car's "Car Data" - then shuffle of and check the near the end of the list - they are in numerical and character order 4) if you really trust your local VW dealer's parts dept, hand over your car's VIN details and ask for a set of brake pads - if they know their stuff and use their parts catalogue correctly, it will filter out the wrong parts and automatically bring up the correct ones. Of course you might prefer to remove a wheel or two and see if there is any evidance of sensor wiring - its part of the ABS main cabling (I think), but if a previous owner/garage has chosen to live without this feature then it might be taped up out of the way (like my dealer did to my Passat after they broke the wiring!!!). Remember if front and rear wear indicators are fitted it is only on one pad on the front and one pad on the rear - and I can't remember which side - sorry!!).