Repairing 16" rear brakes — VW
Repairing 16" rear brakes on VW: factory workshop procedure. Full factory text, tools and checks.
Workshop procedure for VW — the factory write-up, straight from real workshop data.
📋 Procedure
ℹ️ Torque figures below come verbatim from workshop data — always cross-check against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening.
Repairing 16" rear brakes
Note
After replacing brake pads, depress brake pedal firmly several times with vehicle stationary, so that the brake pads are properly seated in their normal operating position.
After work for which the brake system had to be opened, bleed the brake system with
brake charge and bleed system
VAS 5234
or extraction unit
V.A.G 1869/4
.
Before removing a brake caliper or disconnecting a brake hose, fit
brake pedal actuator
V.A.G 1869/2
(release pressure in system).
Allen bolt, 10 Nm
Hexagon bolt, 110 Nm
ABS speed sensor
Before inserting sensor, clean fitting hole inner surface and coat with lubricating paste G 000 650
Connector
When changing pads, remove from bracket
Item
.
Suspension link
Self-locking hexagon bolt, 35 Nm
Renew.
When loosening and tightening, counter hold on guide pin.
Bracket
Guide pin
Protective cap
Brake pads
With wear indicator.
When wear reaches a predetermined limit (approx 4 mm) the warning lamp in dash panel insert comes on.
Thickness 13.5 mm not including backplate.
Wear limit: 2 mm not including backplate.
Checking thickness:
Maintenance
Booklet
10.1
Work sequences; Front and rear brake pads/linings: Checking thickness
.
Always renew both sides.
Removing and installing
Chapter
.
Anti-rattle spring
Always renew when changing pads.
Retaining spring
Clip into brake caliper.
Secures brake pad wear indicator wiring.
Brake caliper
Do not disconnect brake hose when changing brake pads.
Removing:
Remove brake pads
Chapter
.
Insert
brake pedal actuator
V.A.G 1869/2
(and relieve pressure).
Unscrew brake hose from brake caliper
Installing:
Installing brake pads
Chapter
.
Screw on brake hose with brake caliper
Remove
brake pedal actuator
V.A.G 1869/2
.
Bleed brake system
Chapter
.
Adjust handbrake cable first after repairing or replacement.
Adjust handbrake
Chapter
.
Repairing
Chapter
.
Spring clip
Handbrake cable
Adjust handbrake
Chapter
.
Brake carrier with guide pin and protective cap
Supplied as replacement part, assembled with sufficient grease on guide pins.
If protective caps or guide pins are damaged, install repair kit. Use grease sachet supplied to lubricate guide pins
Allen head bolt, 10 Nm
Brake disc
Thickness 13.5 mm.
Wear limit 11.5 mm.
When worn, always renew both sides.
Hexagon bolt, 10 Nm
Cover plate
Drill out pop rivet
Item
to remove
Pop rivet
Qty. 4
Connecting strut
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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
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.