I was going to start changing the rear discs and pads tomorrow but read in the Haynes Manual about using new guide pin bolts.

Is this strictly necessary? Are there any other bolts that should be replaced?

cheers

mmm, I have to say that I never change the bolts! But when I did the GFs felicia last year, the new pads cme with guide bolts in the box. I had a problem with a sticky slider (which I discovered a few weeks ago - not fixed it yet), but I popped to my local bolt shop (eurofasteners) where I purchased 4 allen-key headed bolts for a massive 80p (total)

Are the bolts in question coated with thread lock (or use Nylock nuts)? If so then I would replace them.

Came up a while back and Ross stated that the main reason for replacment is that the Bolts come with threadlock already on. Hence you can reuse the bolts as long as you put some new threadlock on.

They are only tourqed to a very low value so bolt strength is fine.

Nice one guys - I checked the price of them and they were a very expensive 37p plus VAT so just bought 4.

I have never worked on a car before - looking forward to getting stuck in.

Nice one guys - I checked the price of them and they were a very expensive 37p plus VAT so just bought 4.

I have never worked on a car before - looking forward to getting stuck in.

Till becoming a member of briskoda, i had never tackled anything of such on a motor. But it gave me the confidence, beacause of the info found.

I have since replaced discs and pads all round on my Octy vRS and i am very please with my efforts.

The pads I bought to replace the rears came with new bolts..... with them having threadlock on I used the new ones instead of putting thr old ones back in.

This was very helpful, Same as the octy:

Brake pad and rotor replacement - Passat World Forums