RE: Changing brake pads

[mikeandcarmen <mikeandcarmen@pdq.net>]

The best way to avoid spilling fluid when the piston is pushed in is to remove 
some fluid from the reservoir first.  The easiest way to do this is to soak it 
up with a VERY clean rag, & do not remove any fluid below the minimum line on 
the reservoir.  This will allow fluid to be pushed up into the reservoir 
without spilling any, but it will not necessitate bleeding the brakes because 
no air will be introduced into the system.  Once the brake job is completed, 
you may find it necessary to add a small amount of brake fluid to bring fluid 
level up the the maximum line on the reservoir.  By the way, I always do this 
as a precautionary measure when doing a brake job because brake fluid WILL eat 
paint.  Therefore, it is ill-advised to spill it under any circumstances.

Regarding the necessity for new brake fluid, performing a brake job does not 
necessitate a brake fluid change.  However, VW does recommend that the brake 
fluid be changed every two years regardless or whether or not brake pads are 
being replaced.  This recommendation should be followed religiously on our 
cars or any other ABS equipped car.  In addition to all of the usual 
negatives, the dirt & moisture typically present in old brake fluid will 
eventually ruin the ABS components.  This is often the demise of ABS systems 
in ill-maintained cars.

I agree with the need for better brake fluid racing or even for enthusiastic 
street driving.  However, watch out for brake fluids that are marketed as 
being strictly for racing applications (i.e. Motoul DOT 5.1).  Racing brake 
fluids seek to achieve superior heat resistant qualities above all else.  In 
the bargain, the manufacturer ends up with a brake fluid that absorbs moisture 
much more easily & quickly than a typical DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid.  This is of 
little consequence to racers because we are constantly changing our brake 
fluid regardless.  However, most people don't want to change out the brake 
fluid in their street cars every 3 months.  Therefore, look for a high 
quality, dual purpose brake fluid.  Kevin mentioned Super Blue which would fit 
the bill perfectly.

With regard to improvising instead of buying the VW service tool for the rear 
brakes, I will say to each his own, & consider your abilities before trying 
it.  For someone as clumsy as myself, a $50.00 service tool is cheap insurance 
against ruining a much more expensive rear caliper.

Michael Keith
'98 Jetta GLX
'85 Golf SCCA ITB/DSP
>===== Original Message From "George Turner, Jr."  =====
>I have changed my brake a couple of times.  you do not need to refill brake 
fluid, although if you are doing any autocrossing are a lot of hard braking, I 
would suggest that you change the stock fluid.  I have never used the 
*special* VW rear brake
>tool.  I have improvised it with a C clamp and s set of channel locks.  
Although if you remove the top off of the reservoir, you can easily push back 
the rear pistons, by doing this, you risk the change of spilling fluid and 
getting air in the
>brake lines.. if you do, then you must bleed the brakes, which I have never 
done on a VW w/ abs...
>geo
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Ng, Kevin (NationsCredit)
>To: jettaglx@igtc.com
>Date: Tuesday, September 08, 1998 11:02 AM
>Subject: RE: Changing brake pads
>
>
>>I'm not speaking from experience here, since I've never performed a pad
>>change (yet), just telling you what I've learned by researching through the
>>Web...
>>One of the steps required when replacing pads is that the caliper piston
>>must be pushed back far enough to allow the new pads to fit in place. For
>>the fronts, all you need is a C-clamp (6" or longer). For the rears however,
>>the piston must be screwed in rather than pushed in (huh-huh, he said,
>>"screwed rather than pushed"). In order to do this, a special tool (a key if
>>you will) is needed. You can buy the VW one which costs around $50, or you
>>can use this little universal brake tool cube thing. A better explanation
>>can be found at
>>http://www.panix.com/~aqn/GTI_VR6/gti_vr6/library/BrakesABS_index.html
>>(user: driver / passwd: hired)
>>
>>Ok, for those of you who have changed the pads before, I need the definitive
>>word on this--do I need new brake fluid? I've heard that pushing back the
>>pistons will force the fluid back up the resevoir and flow out the top,
>>requiring adding some fluid back. Should I just bleed the brakes altogether
>>and get some Super Blue?
>>
>>Kevin Ng
>>97 GLX Windsor Blue
>>
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: cyng [SMTP:cyng@lamere.net]
>>> Sent: Saturday, September 05, 1998 3:45 PM
>>> To: JettaGLX list
>>> Subject: Re: Changing brake pads
>>>
>>> >BTW, if anyone is interested, JC Whitney is selling that cube thingy for
>>> the
>>> >rear brakes for $6.99. Visit http://www.jcwhitneyusa.com and request a
>>> >catalog..
>>>
>>> ... that cube thingy ... um ... eh?
>>>
>>>
>>>       /|=-------------------------=|/
>>>      /|=-    Thomas J. Boyer   --=|/
>>>     /|=-    cyng@lamere.net   --=|/
>>>    /|=-------------------------=|/
>>