Removing and installing brake pads (1LA/1LJ/1ZB/1ZT): Audi Q5

🧭 Before you start

Fits: Audi Q5 (8R, 2008–2017); platform code 83

• Opens: brake fluid
• Renewed: brake pads

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• Mark brake pads when removing them if they are to be reinstalled. Reinstall in their original position to prevent uneven braking.
• The spring is under tension; hold your hand over the spring to avoid risk of injury.When removing the spring, take care not to scratch or chip the paint on the brake caliper.
• The pad wear indicator is only fitted on the inner pad in the front left brake caliper.
• Do NOT slacken bolts (6 and 9) — Pull both guide pins slightly out of brake caliper to facilitate removal of caliper.
• Before fitting brake pads, clean pad retaining pins (arrows) and grease lightly Electronic parts catalogue. Rubber parts must be kept free of grease: clean off any grease if necessary.

📋 Procedure

1. Remove relevant wheel 44Wheels and tyres. [Note: Mark brake pads when removing them if they are to be reinstalled. Reinstall in their original position to prevent uneven braking.]
2. Move brake hose clear from bracket (4).
3. Release electrical wire towards the left (arrow A) from bracket (2) and detach.
4. Press down centre of retaining spring (8). [Note: The spring is under tension; hold your hand over the spring to avoid risk of injury.When removing the spring, take care not to scratch or chip the paint on the brake caliper.]
5. Carefully detach retaining spring.

6. Unplug electrical connector for brake pad wear indicator (front left). [Note: The pad wear indicator is only fitted on the inner pad in the front left brake caliper.]
7. Unscrew both bolts (4) for guide pins and remove from brake caliper.
8. ⚠ Do NOT slacken bolts (6 and 9) — Pull both guide pins slightly out of brake caliper to facilitate removal of caliper.
9. Detach brake caliper.
10. ⚠ Do not leave the brake caliper with brake carrier hanging from the brake hose. Take care that brake hose is not damaged by weight of brake components.The brake hose must be renewed if it is damaged.Do not apply brake when brake caliper is removed. — Take brake pads out of brake caliper housing or from brake carrier.
11. Check brake disc Front brakes. [Note: Always renew brake pads on both sides of axle.Always use brake pads from the same manufacturer with the same quality for the two wheels on the same axle.Install all parts supplied in repair kit Electronic parts catalogue.Use only methylated spirits or commercially available brake cleaner to clean the brake caliper housing.]
12. Clean brake caliper.
13. ⚠ Escaping brake fluid can cause the vehicle to become dirty and may damage the paintwork.If the brake pads are worn and brake fluid has been topped up, brake fluid can overflow when the piston is pressed back into the brake cylinder.Before pressing the pistons back, check the brake fluid level. If the brake fluid is up to the "“MAX”" mark, fluid must be extracted.Use brake filling and bleeding equipmentVAS 5234 to extract brake fluid from brake fluid reservoir. — Press brake pistons all the way back into caliper using piston resetting appliance T10145. [Note: Before fitting brake pads, clean pad retaining pins (arrows) and grease lightly Electronic parts catalogue. Rubber parts must be kept free of grease: clean off any grease if necessary.]
14. If fitted, pull protective foil off pad backplates.
15. Fit inner brake pad with retaining spring in brake caliper. Retaining spring (arrow) must be seated in brake piston.
16. Fit outer brake pad (2) in brake caliper.
17. Press brake pad into caliper and insert locating device into aperture in brake caliper.
18. ⚠ Both brake pads must be seated under the retaining pins in the caliper. The brake caliper has two retaining pins on each side, which must not be slackened. — Carefully fit brake caliper (with brake pads) over brake disc.
19. Secure brake caliper to brake carrier with both guide pins (4).
20. Fit retaining spring (8) on outer brake pad.
21. Press down centre of retaining spring (8) and fit centre tab of spring in hole (arrow) in brake caliper. [Note: The spring is under tension; hold your hand over the spring to avoid risk of injury.When fitting the spring, take care not to scratch or chip the paint on the brake caliper.]
22. Attach electrical connector for pad wear indicator in bracket (front left).
23. Fit electrical wire (2) in bracket and turn to the right (arrow B) to secure.
24. Fit brake hose in bracket (4).
25. Plug in electrical connector for brake pad wear indicator (front left).
26. Fit wheels 44Wheels and tyres.
27. Check brake fluid level and top up if necessary.

🎬 Related video tutorial

Independent AUTODOC tutorial for the same job, filmed on a different model (Q7 4L) — the technique carries over, the fasteners and figures on this page are the ones for your car.

How to change a front brake pads AUDI Q7 4L TUTORIAL

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