Anyone done a handy 'How To' guide for changing disks and pads. It can't be rocket science and I could do with saving a few quid rather than paying a dealer.

I can roughly remember how, after changing pads on my Citroen ZX about 15 years ago but a refresher would be useful.

Cheers in advance

To be honest, unless you are 100% sure of what you are doing with brakes, leave them alone and get any reputable garage to do it for you. "I can roughly remember how" is not a good epitaph.

Its only a case of undoing a few nuts and doing them back up again......ye of little faith!!!!

Seriously though if the YTS lad in the garage can do it I dare say its not an unbelievable claim that I could do it myself.

When was the fluid last changed?

About 8 months ago so it will be fine

You need a special tool to wind the pistons in the rear calipers back when replacing the pads AFAIK. They screw in so the handbrake can operate the rear disks mechanically. There's a thread on the rewind tool on here somewhere... Don't think it concluded 100% on what's the best tool for it though.

I dont know how the hell someone managed it, but they managed to get the pad sat in at a diagonal so it was running off of the disc.

It stopped perfectly fine and didnt pull to one side, but it was only when i started experiencing crunching noises (The pad starting to touch the radius at the bottom of the disc that i realised something was wrong)

So unless your pretty competant with tools, i would get someone with the knowledge to fit them.

It's an easy job until you get a seized bolt or something goes wrong. Have a go and if it goes tits up, take it to a garage.

Steve

It's an easy job until you get a seized bolt or something goes wrong. Have a go and if it goes tits up, take it to a garage.

Steve

If it goes 'tits up' have it towed to a garage. Your life and everyone elses depends on them.

It's pretty hard to put everything together so wrongly it's dangerous. The most likely problem is not being able to get a bolt out. Doign anything with the master cylinder or bleeding can be dodgy if you are clueless.

Steve

This is reasonably basic maintenance and you have to be pretty incompetent to **** it up. Yeah seized bolts etc are a possible hazard but if you have the correct tools - a decent socket set - not one from the sunday market this is a nice little job for a Sunday morning. Speaking of tools - pistons ca be wound back with a block of wood and a g-clamp. Done it myself numerous times with no issues.

Will I be doing it next time........no. I'm too bloody busy these days and to be frank, I have better things to do with my time than getting numb fingers and Chalfonts from sitting on a cold garange floor. I'll pay the YTS kid to do it and park my **** in front of a Grand Prix with a beer!

Rather typical of this forum. Why do we again get 10 replies with no-one answering the original question?It's not that difficult but you need a bit of experience and the correct(albeit basic) tools.

The brakes are similar to many other VAG cars.If there is not already a detailed step by step guide on here for the mk1 Octavia, I suggest it would be easy to find one on a Audi or VW or SEAT forum.

It is EASY! Get your spanners out and save a few quid, I'd never done a cambelt until last week but I had a bash and came up trups! Its only nuts and bolts at the end of the day!

Heres an upgrade thread for the front brakes of a fabia, it'll give you a good idea of whats involved:

http://briskoda.net/general-technical-guides/312mm-brakes-pictorial/47673/

And for the rear you will need a wind back tool, the piston needs to be rotated as it is pressed in but other than that its very similar to the front brakes. Fairly easy if you are comfortable weilding a spanner or three.

I intend to do this job today and I will use this guides (for golf mk5):

DIY: Changing brake pads & rotors | Volkswagen Rabbit/GTI/Jetta/GLI MkV DIY & FAQ

Rear brake pads & discs, VW Golf-Jetta Mk5, Seat Leon Mk2, Altea etc. PIC HEAVY! - uk-mkivs

Hope it will help!

Muchos gracias gentlemen

They are good guides.

Copperslip makes a good anti-squeel grease on the backs of the pads.

Steve

Muchos gracias gentlemen

If your near Liverpool

and you want the front brakes doing

Knock around to mine

I will help you

It is really straight forward

I intend to do this job today and I will use this guides (for golf mk5):

DIY: Changing brake pads & rotors | Volkswagen Rabbit/GTI/Jetta/GLI MkV DIY & FAQ

Rear brake pads & discs, VW Golf-Jetta Mk5, Seat Leon Mk2, Altea etc. PIC HEAVY! - uk-mkivs

Hope it will help!

Hmm, helpfull yes BUT

Why does it not mention pushing back the piston before taking off the pads

I always find it difficult to get the pads off without pushing the piston back

Where would be the best place to get a tool for pushing back the rear piston

and what are they called

Edited 25 September, 200916 yr by Halwit
addition to question

Ta-da!

Laser 1314 Brake Caliper Piston Rewind Tool Kit on eBay (end time 21-Sep-09 07:25:38 BST)

Steve

Ta-da!

Laser 1314 Brake Caliper Piston Rewind Tool Kit on eBay (end time 21-Sep-09 07:25:38 BST)

Steve

Haha,

I have seen them Steve thanks

But I dont think their are any bargains to be had on ebay

you may as well go the shops these days

Just the easiest place to get a picture. I got mine from Halfords!

Just the easiest place to get a picture. I got mine from Halfords!

Sorry yes,

Would this do the job

Laser Brake Caliper Rewind Tool from Halfords Price £20.99

Yes, but why pay £3 more?

Yes, but why pay £3 more?

Hha,

There is a lot of confusing going on here

Like Steve I did not mean the actual price

what I meant would this too do the job for the Octy

rather than having to buy a certain make for the job