TorqFix

Removing and installing brake cable (rear): Audi A1

Step-by-step removing and installing brake cable (rear) for the Audi A1: 34 steps. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.

Renewing the rear handbrake cable on the Audi A1 (8X, 2010–2018). The cable ends are reached from inside the car, so the centre armrest, cup holder or ashtray and the cover over the compensator come out first. With the parking brake released, the adjuster nut is slackened until both cables can be unhooked from the compensator. Underneath, the rear underbody trim is lowered, the cable detached from its retainers, unhooked from the caliper lever and pulled through the guide tube. Two things decide the result. Cables are always renewed on both sides together, otherwise braking will be uneven, and they must not be kinked or over-stretched while routing. Before final adjustment the lever is pulled and released fully five times so everything settles.

34 steps

🧭 Before you start

Strip the centre console parts, slacken the compensator and unhook both cables. Free the cable from body retainers and caliper lever and pull it through the guide tube. Fit new cables on both sides, clip all retainers until the tabs engage, take up the slack, cycle the lever and adjust the parking brake.

Fits: Audi A1 (8X, 2010–2018)

  • Renewed: brake cables

Don't miss

  • Always renew both rear cables together to avoid uneven braking.
  • Do not kink, bend or over-stretch the cable while routing it.
  • Push the cable into the caliper retainer until both tabs engage.
  • Apply and release the lever fully five times before adjusting.
  • Adjust the parking brake properly after taking up the slack.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

📋 Procedure

  1. Remove centre armrest General body repairs, interior68Centre armrest (front); Removing and installing centre armrest (front).
  2. Remove cup holder or ashtray General body repairs, interior68Centre console; Exploded view - centre console.
  3. Remove cover above compensator General body repairs, interior68Centre console; Exploded view - centre console.
  4. Release parking brake.
  5. Slacken off adjuster nut (arrow) until brake cables (2 and 3) can be disengaged from compensator (1).
AUDI? Steps differ between engine variants — check this job against your exact car before you commit to it. Check my car — free →
  1. Detach rear section of underbody trim on relevant side and press down slightly General body repairs, exterior66Underbody trim; Exploded view - underbody trim.
  2. ⚠ Risk of damage to brake cableDo not over-stretch, kink or bend brake cable. — Detach brake cable (1) from retainer (2). [Note: Disregard item (3).]
  3. Detach brake cable (1)(arrows). [Note: Disregard item (2).]
  4. Press down brake lever at brake caliper (arrow) and unhook brake cable.
  5. Compress retaining tabs (bottom arrows) and pull brake cable out of retainer on brake caliper.
  6. Press lever on brake caliper (2) in direction of (arrow).
  7. Disengage brake cable (1) from lever on brake caliper (2).
  8. Compress retaining tabs (3).
  9. Disengage brake cable (1) from retainer (4) on brake caliper.
  10. Unclip brake cable (1) from retaining tab (arrow A) on bracket (2).
  11. Pull brake cable out of guide (arrow B) on bracket (2) in direction of (arrow).
  12. Pull brake cable (1) out of guide tube (3). [Note: Disregard item (2).]
  13. ⚠ Risk of uneven brakingAlways renew brake cables on both sides. — Carefully slide brake cable through guide tube into vehicle interior.
  14. Push brake cable through retainer on brake caliper until both retaining tabs (arrows) engage.
  15. Push brake lever in direction of (arrow) and attach brake cable onto brake lever.
  16. Clip brake cable (2) into retainers (arrows).
  17. Insert brake cable (1) into guide (arrow B) and clip onto retainer (arrow A).
  18. Run brake cable (1) through retainer (4) on brake caliper until retaining tabs (3) engage.
  19. Press lever on brake caliper (2) in direction of (arrow).
  20. Engage brake cable (1) in lever on brake caliper (2).
  21. Attach brake cable (1) at retainer (2). [Note: Disregard item (3).]
  22. Install underbody trim General body repairs, exterior66Underbody trim; Exploded view - underbody trim.
  23. Engage brake cables (2, 3) in compensator (1).
  24. Take up slack in brake cables by turning adjusting nut (arrow).
  25. Before adjusting parking brake, apply and release parking brake lever fully five times so that all parts of parking brake are moved into position.
  26. Adjust parking brake .
  27. Install centre armrest General body repairs, interior68Centre armrest (front); Removing and installing centre armrest (front).
  28. Install cup holder or ashtray General body repairs, interior68Centre console; Exploded view - centre console.
  29. Install cover above compensator General body repairs, interior68Centre console; Exploded view - centre console.

Other AUDI procedures

Who makes these pages, and how

TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.

The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.

Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.

Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com

The story behind TorqFix →

Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.