Removing and installing brake pads - steel version brakes (1LM / 1LX) — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Fits: Audi A6/A7 C7 (4G, 2011–2018); platform code 4X

• Opens: brake fluid
• Renewed: brake pads, pad wear sender

Don't miss

• Disregard item (1).
• Disregard item (2).
• Always renew brake pads on both sides of the axle.Install all parts supplied in the repair kit when fitting new brake pads.
• Renew pad wear sender if damaged.

📋 Procedure

1. Remove front wheel Running gear, axles, steering44Wheels, tyres.
2. Unplug electrical connector (2) for pad wear sender.
3. Release electrical connector (1) for pad wear sender from bracket (arrow A) and at the same time turn 90° (arrow B).
4. Move clear electrical wire (3) for pad wear sender: to do so, open dust cap (2) and unclip wire at brake caliper (arrow). [Note: Disregard item (1).] [Note: Take care not to damage paint on brake caliper when knocking out pad retaining pins.] [Note: To make it easier to remove the brake pads from the brake caliper, use suitable pliers (1) to press back the brake pads (3) slightly. To avoid damaging the paint on the caliper, insert a piece of rubber (2) between the caliper and the pliers.]
5. ⚠ Risk of injury.The brake pad retaining spring (5) is under tension. Hold down the pad retaining spring by hand while knocking out the retaining pin. — Use a suitable punch to knock bottom pad retaining pin (1) inwards out of brake caliper.

6. Use a suitable punch to knock top pad retaining pin (3) inwards out of brake caliper and detach pad retaining spring (5).
7. Remove bolt (4).
8. Pull centre retaining pin (2) out of brake caliper.
9. Take brake pads (1 and 3) out of brake caliper. [Note: Disregard item (2).]
10. ⚠ Risk of damage to brake caliper pistonsDo not apply brake when brake caliper is removed. — Check brake discs for wear and damage when renewing brake pads. [Note: Always renew brake pads on both sides of the axle.Install all parts supplied in the repair kit when fitting new brake pads.] [Note: Use only methylated spirits for cleaning the brake caliper housing.Check protective caps on brake caliper pistons for damage; if necessary, install all parts supplied in repair kit .]
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 pistons are pressed back into the brake cylinders.Before pressing the pistons back, check the brake fluid level. Brake fluid must be extracted if the fluid level is up to the "“MAX”" mark.Use brake filling and bleeding equipmentVAS 5234 to extract brake fluid from brake fluid reservoir. — Press brake caliper pistons all the way back into caliper using piston resetting appliance T10145.
12. Clean brake caliper.
13. Clean pad contact surfaces (1 and 2) in brake caliper and apply a small amount of lithium grease.
14. Clip in pad wear sender (2).
15. If reinstalling used brake pads, check that pad wear sender is undamaged and correctly seated. [Note: Renew pad wear sender if damaged.]
16. If used pads are being re-fitted, take care to install the marked pads in their original positions.
17. Fit brake pads (1 and 3) in brake caliper.
18. Note correct position of pad retaining spring:
19. Fit centre retaining pin (2) and secure with new bolt (4).
20. Fit top pad retaining pin (3) in brake caliper together with pad retaining spring (5).
21. Knock pad retaining pin into brake caliper as far as stop.
22. Press down bottom part of pad retaining spring and knock bottom pad retaining pin (1) into brake caliper as far as stop.
23. Secure electrical wire (3) for pad wear sender: to do so insert wire into brake caliper (arrow) and secure with dust cap (2) as shown in illustration. [Note: Disregard item (1).]
24. Locate electrical connector in installation position and turn in direction of (arrow) until tab (1) engages in hole (2) in bracket.
25. Plug in electrical connector (3).
26. Fit front wheel Running gear, axles, steering44Wheels, tyres.
27. ⚠ Risk of accident!Firmly depress the brake pedal several times with the vehicle stationary, so that the brake pads are properly seated in their normal operating position.Make sure that the brakes work properly before the vehicle is driven on the road. — Check brake fluid level and top up if necessary.

🎬 Related video tutorial

Independent AUTODOC tutorial for the same job, filmed on a different model (A6 (C6)) — the technique carries over, the fasteners and figures on this page are the ones for your car.

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

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