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Removing and installing brake pads, front brakes FN 3 — VW

Removing and installing brake pads, front brakes FN 3 on VW: 17 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.

17 steps

🧭 Before you start

Fits: VW Passat B7 saloon (362, 2010–2014), VW Passat B7 Variant (365, 2010–2014)

  • Opens: brake fluid

Don't miss

  • Do not blow out brake system with compressed air; the resulting dust constitutes a health hazard! — Thoroughly clean brake carrier and contact surfaces for brake pads and remove corrosion.
  • After every brake pad change, 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

  1. Remove wheels.
  2. Lever brake pad retaining spring out from brake caliper (arrow) with a screwdriver and remove.
  3. Disconnect connector (1) for brake pad wear indicator.
  4. Remove cover caps (arrows).
  5. Unscrew both guide pins (arrows) and remove from brake caliper.
VW? Steps differ between engine variants — check this job against your exact car before you commit to it. Check my car — free →
  1. Remove brake caliper and secure with wire so that weight of brake caliper does not strain or damage brake hose.
  2. Take brake pad out of brake caliper or from brake carrier.
  3. ⚠ Do not blow out brake system with compressed air; the resulting dust constitutes a health hazard! — Thoroughly clean brake carrier and contact surfaces for brake pads and remove corrosion.
  4. Clean brake caliper.
  5. Press piston back.
  6. Fit outer brake pad to brake carrier.
  7. Insert inner brake pad with retaining spring into brake caliper (piston).
  8. Bolt brake caliper to brake carrier with both guide pins (arrows).
  9. Fit both cover caps.
  10. Insert retaining spring into brake caliper.
  11. Reconnect connector for brake pad wear indicator.
  12. Fit wheels. [Note: After every brake pad change, 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.]

🎬 Video walkthrough

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

How to change front brake pads on VW PASSAT B7 Saloon

How to change front brake pads on VW PASSAT B7 Saloon

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.