Removing and installing brake pads, brake caliper FN 3: VW Jetta VI

Step-by-step removing and installing brake pads, brake caliper FN 3 for the VW Jetta VI: 19 steps. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.

Workshop procedure for VW — the exact step sequence and torque figures, straight from real workshop data.

19 steps

🧭 Before you start

Fits: VW Jetta VI (16, 2010–2018)

Opens: brake fluid

Don't miss

Do not blow out brake system with compressed air; the resulting dust constitutes a health hazard! — Thoroughly clean contact surface for brake pads on brake carrier and remove any corrosion.
Clean brake caliper, in particular the bonding surface for the brake pad. It must be free of adhesive and grease residues.
Every time after changing pads, depress brake pedal firmly several times with vehicle stationary so that brake pads are properly seated in their normal operating position.Check brake fluid level after changing brake pads.

📋 Procedure

Loosen wheel bolts.
Raise vehicle.
Remove wheel.
Lever brake pad retaining spring out from brake caliper (arrow) with a screwdriver and remove.
Release connector (1) for brake pad wear indicator and pull off.

VW? Steps differ between engine variants — check this job against your exact car before you commit to it. Check my car — free →

Remove cover caps (arrows).
Unscrew both guide pins (arrows) and remove from brake caliper.
Remove brake caliper and secure with wire so that weight of brake caliper does not strain or damage brake hose.
Take brake pad out of brake caliper or from brake carrier.
⚠ Do not blow out brake system with compressed air; the resulting dust constitutes a health hazard! — Thoroughly clean contact surface for brake pads on brake carrier and remove any corrosion.
Clean brake caliper, in particular the bonding surface for the brake pad. It must be free of adhesive and grease residues.
Insert piston resetting tool T10145(1) into brake caliper (2) and push back brake piston.
Pull protective foil off outer brake pad backplate.
Fit outer brake pad to brake carrier.
Insert inner brake pad with retaining spring into brake caliper (piston).
Bolt brake caliper to brake carrier with both guide pins.
Fit both cover caps.
Insert retaining spring into brake caliper.
Install wheel and tighten. [Note: Every time after changing pads, depress brake pedal firmly several times with vehicle stationary so that brake pads are properly seated in their normal operating position. Check brake fluid level after changing brake pads.]

🎬 Related video tutorial

Independent AUTODOC tutorial for the same job, filmed on a different model (GOLF 7) — the technique carries over, the fasteners and figures on this page are the ones for your car.

How to change front brake pads on VW GOLF 7

Other VW 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

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Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.