Removing and installing brake pads (PR 1LT): Audi A6 C6

🧭 Before you start

Fits: Audi A6 C6 (4F, 2004–2011)

• Opens: brake fluid

Don't miss

• Mark brake pads when removing them if they are to be reinstalled. Reinstall in their original position to prevent uneven braking.The brake disc is secured with a cross-head screw.
• The inner pad (with spring) has an arrow. The arrow must point in direction of brake disc rotation when moving forwards. May create noises if incorrectly installed.

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.

📋 Procedure

1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Remove wheels. [Note: Mark brake pads when removing them if they are to be reinstalled. Reinstall in their original position to prevent uneven braking.The brake disc is secured with a cross-head screw.]
3. Remove caps (arrows).
4. On vehicles equipped with a brake pad wear indicator, unplug connector (1).
5. Slightly lift up locating lug on lower part of connector (2) and turn 90°.

6. Pull lower half of connector out of bracket.
7. Lever brake pad retaining spring out of brake caliper housing with a screwdriver and remove.
8. Unscrew and remove both guide pins from brake caliper.
9. Take off brake caliper housing and lay to one side so that the weight of the brake caliper does not stress or damage the brake hose.
10. Take brake pads out of brake caliper housing or from brake carrier.
11. Check brake disc Brakes, technical data.
12. Press piston back. [Note: Before inserting new brake pads, press piston back into cylinder with resetting appliance. Before pressing the piston back, draw off brake fluid from the reservoir with a bleeder bottle. Otherwise, fluid can overflow and cause damage, particularly if the reservoir has been topped up.]
13. ⚠ Brake fluid is poisonous and must NOT be drawn off by sucking through a hose. — Insert brake pad with retaining spring in brake caliper housing (piston). [Note: The inner pad (with spring) has an arrow. The arrow must point in direction of brake disc rotation when moving forwards. May create noises if incorrectly installed.]
14. Pull off protective foil on backplate of outer brake pad.
15. Fit outer brake pad onto brake carrier.
16. Secure brake caliper housing to brake carrier with both guide pins (tighten to 25 Nm). — 25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
17. Fit both caps.
18. Insert retaining spring into brake caliper housing. [Note: The retaining spring must be pressed under the brake carrier after inserting into both holes. If incorrectly installed, the wear of the outer pad cannot be adjusted, and the pedal travel will be increased as a result.After installing the brake pads, depress the pedal firmly several times with the vehicle stationary, so that the pads are properly seated in their normal operating position.]
19. Check brake fluid level and top up if necessary.

🎬 Video walkthrough

Independent video tutorial by AUTODOC (YouTube) — a helpful visual companion to the steps above.

How to change front brake pads / front brake pad set on AUDI A6 (C6)

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