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Removing and installing brake pads, rear brake C 38: VW Golf Cabriolet

Step-by-step removing and installing brake pads, rear brake C 38 for the VW Golf Cabriolet: 12 steps.

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

12 steps

🧭 Before you start

Fits: VW Golf Cabriolet (517, 2011–2016)

  • Opens: brake fluid

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  • Unscrew both securing bolts from brake caliper; to do this, counterhold on guide pin.
  • Use only methylated spirits for cleaning the brake caliper housing.
  • Screw in piston by turning knurled wheel of piston compressing tool T 10165 clockwise, do not damage protective cap when doing this.
  • 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. Unscrew both securing bolts from brake caliper; to do this, counterhold on guide pin.
  3. Remove brake caliper and secure with wire so that weight of brake caliper does not strain or damage brake hose.
  4. Remove brake pads.
  5. Thoroughly clean brake carrier and contact surfaces for brake pads and remove corrosion.
VW? Steps differ between engine variants — check this job against your exact car before you commit to it. Check my car — free →
  1. Clean brake caliper, particularly the bonding surfaces for the brake pads. These must be free of adhesive and grease residues. [Note: Use only methylated spirits for cleaning the brake caliper housing.]
  2. Screw in piston by turning knurled wheel of piston compressing tool T 10165 clockwise, do not damage protective cap when doing this.
  3. Use plate T10165/1 for assistance when screwing in.
  4. Pull protective foil off backing plates for brake pads.
  5. Insert brake pads into brake carrier.
  6. Secure brake caliper with new self-locking bolts.
  7. 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.]

🎬 Related video tutorial

Independent AUTODOC tutorial for the same job, filmed on a different model (SHARAN 1) — the technique carries over, the fasteners and figures on this page are the ones for your car.

How to change rear brake pads on VW SHARAN 1

How to change rear brake pads on VW SHARAN 1

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.