Removing and installing brake pads (1LJ, 1ZD): Audi Q3

🧭 Before you start

Fits: Audi Q3 (8U, 2011–2018); platform code 84

• Opens: brake fluid

Don't miss

• Use only methylated spirits for cleaning the brake caliper housing.
• Risk to health Do not blow out the brake system with compressed air. — Thoroughly clean contact surfaces for brake pads on brake carrier and remove corrosion.
• Clean brake caliper, in particular the bonding surface for the brake pad. It must be free of adhesive and grease residues.

📋 Procedure

1. Remove front wheel Running gear, axles, steering44Wheels, tyres.
2. Lever brake pad retaining spring out of brake caliper (arrow) with a screwdriver and remove.
3. Unplug electrical connector (1) for brake pad wear indicator.
4. Remove protective caps (arrows).
5. Unscrew both guide pins (arrows) and detach brake caliper.

6. ⚠ 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. — Tie brake caliper to body with suitable wire.
7. Take brake pad out of brake caliper or from brake carrier.
8. Check brake discs for wear .
9. Check brake discs for wear .
10. Check brake discs for wear and damage when renewing brake pads .
11. ⚠ 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 unnecessarily, brake fluid can overflow when the piston is pressed back into the brake cylinder.Before pressing the piston 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 piston all the way back into caliper using piston resetting appliance T10145. [Note: Use only methylated spirits for cleaning the brake caliper housing.]
12. ⚠ Risk to health Do not blow out the brake system with compressed air. — Thoroughly clean contact surfaces for brake pads on brake carrier and remove corrosion.
13. Clean brake caliper, in particular the bonding surface for the brake pad. It must be free of adhesive and grease residues.
14. Pull protective foil off backplate of outer brake pad.
15. Fit outer brake pad on brake carrier.
16. Insert inner brake pad with retaining spring into brake caliper (piston). [Note: When positioning the brake caliper, ensure that the brake pad does not stick to the brake caliper housing before it is positioned correctly.Do not damage adhesive surface.Make sure the electrical connector and brake hose are positioned correctly.The brake hose must not be kinked, crushed or twisted or chafe against parts of the vehicle at any point.]
17. Fit front wheel Running gear, axles, steering44Wheels, tyres.
18. Check brake fluid level.

🎬 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

Other AUDI procedures

• Removing and installing toothed belt – Audi · 56 torque figures
• Removing engine – Audi A8 D3 · 41 torque figures
• Removing camshaft timing chain from camshafts – Audi A6/A7 C7 · 38 torque figures
• Installing engine – Audi A8 D4 · 36 torque figures
• Removing and installing camshaft timing chain · 29 torque figures