Front brake replacement GTI

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Flashredpolo
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Posts: 33
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2021 10:16 pm
Drives: 2018 AW GTI
Location: Hampshire

Front brake replacement GTI

Post by Flashredpolo »

Hi, I'm looking to change the front pads and discs myself on my GTI. Are there any specific tools I'd need? Also do the pads have the wear warning indicator cable? Any advice is greatly appreciated and OEM part numbers if anyone has them? Many thanks
RinDman
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Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2022 8:46 am
Drives: Polo AW GTI DSG6
Location: Paris

Re: Front brake replacement GTI

Post by RinDman »

Hi, most of the website have a car selector and provide compatible parts.

As for my ride, I've changed my worn out front brakes with brembo disks (prime) and Bosch pads. Both oem parts, they have only one for this specific Polo/A1 on the 2.0 TSI

In a few kilometers, It'll certainly try Bilstein B4 for my struts (my polo have 5 years and more than 56k km)

As for the tools there is nothing particular I think, just thé tools for skrews and something to push back the brake piston ... It'll be easier if you have the tools for blocking the pistons once they are pushed back
Last edited by RinDman on Thu May 29, 2025 3:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
TrebleTA
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Posts: 182
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:03 am
Drives: 2021-22 GTI+
Location: South East (UK) Haywards Heath.

Re: Front brake replacement GTI

Post by TrebleTA »

So I had a experience using aftermarket front discs, I used Brembo sport discs, within 5 months they had glazed, giving break judder, closer look it was, 1 down to sticking pads in the caliper or I belive 2 more likely the discs were not right.sitting over the centra hub, I ended up replaceing with oem vw discs, (not eco) vw will try to sell them unless you say, this was on a 2016 polo gti. Never had a problem with the back Brembo discs. There was a forum thread on it at the time by me in the 2016 polo section.

In the end having the sport discs on the back and oem on front, with oem pads front an back, not eco! the car did break a lot better due to the back discs as there are so tiny. After that experience at the time the car was 4 years old, aftermarket did not get the front right.

P.s the correct way to push a piston back is clamping the hose then cracking the blead nipple and pushing it back.so your not pushing the fluid back on the system. Then preasure Bleed the system after.
TrebleTA
Bronze Member
Posts: 182
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:03 am
Drives: 2021-22 GTI+
Location: South East (UK) Haywards Heath.

Re: Front brake replacement GTI

Post by TrebleTA »

Also something people forget, you should replace the break fluid in the system every 2-3 years.
RinDman
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Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2022 8:46 am
Drives: Polo AW GTI DSG6
Location: Paris

Re: Front brake replacement GTI

Post by RinDman »

Yep, I also changed my brake fluid with Bosch env4 to remain compliant. Oh I forgot to Say before changing my brake to brembo : I've replaced my old front discs by VW genuine parts and they glazed this winter LOL (no track days whatsoever) ... Thats why I'm going full after market : Big middle finger to VW cheap and unreliable parts
TrebleTA
Bronze Member
Posts: 182
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:03 am
Drives: 2021-22 GTI+
Location: South East (UK) Haywards Heath.

Re: Front brake replacement GTI

Post by TrebleTA »

So your vw discs glazed, was the pads a hard fit in to the bracket?
Also was it the eco version of vw discs do you know?
My discs when they glazed I returned for a full refund, had em on the car 6months.
RinDman
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Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2022 8:46 am
Drives: Polo AW GTI DSG6
Location: Paris

Re: Front brake replacement GTI

Post by RinDman »

No idea about the grade ... What do you guys mean by eco ? My mechanic told me if I wanted to retrieve my New glazed disc : Said nope, the pads was fine though ...

What do you mean by hard fit ? About how I drive my car ? I always use the DSG downshift for a bit of brake from the engine, and I brake normaly

We'll see in a few kilometers if my brembo get glazed or not
TrebleTA
Bronze Member
Posts: 182
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:03 am
Drives: 2021-22 GTI+
Location: South East (UK) Haywards Heath.

Re: Front brake replacement GTI

Post by TrebleTA »

This was the topic about it at the time,
https://uk-polos.net/viewtopic.php?t=77 ... 595488

When you go to your VW dealer for parts, or TPS. On many parts like breaks shocks, they do a budget version eco, i would not use the cheaper, even if there half the cost. My first experience was with shocks, the shock rod on eco was thinner and different hex, but was selling the car.
RinDman
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Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2022 8:46 am
Drives: Polo AW GTI DSG6
Location: Paris

Re: Front brake replacement GTI

Post by RinDman »

In France, you can't pick ... It doesnt exist or we are not aware of this scam ... They can only sell brand new part
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