[justj1161]

Hey Passat folks. I'm doing a "simple" front brake pad change on my 2001.5 1.8T. The sensor wire on the passenger side was fubar so a pad change seemed like an easy Sunday afternoon project. The driver's side changed out with no problems at all, but the passenger side is another story. I can't get the bottom caliper guide pin to line up and thread into the mounting bracket. I've been at this for entirely too long..:banghead:..It will thread without the caliper so no stripping issue. It will line up and thread through the caliper without pads so presumably no hole alignment issue. When I add the pads I can only get the top pin to thread into the bracket.

Any helpful hints from the collective wisdom of ye olde Passatworld? I have to get this done tonight cuz I need to report for work tomorrow 300 miles from here.

Thanks

 

[skurtov]

Try guiding it in with a small screw driver to line it up. It should all slide together nicely. If it won't move, gently tap the top of the caliper with a hammer to get it to set in.

 

[Tomvw]

Sounds like you don't have the pad seating correctly.

 

[justj1161]

Got it done. Thanks for the suggestions. As far as I can tell it took several things:
1. Step away from the frustration
2. Consult the forum
3. Enjoy a cold beer (perhaps the key to victory here)
4. Approach the task from a new angle
5. Double check pad seating
6. Smack that rascal with a ball peen

Seriously, thanks

J

 

[sirwired]

I've lost track of the number of jobs made possible through the use of my Trusty Rubber Mallet and Trusty 3-lb Drilling Hammer. (Thank You Harbor Freight!)

 

[ylwagon]

I'm guessing that the piston should have been retracted a little more. If your disk has worn until a ridge exists at the rim, the new pads can hang up on the ridge and tweek the caliper out of alignment.

 

[2002GLXV6]

Got it done. Thanks for the suggestions. As far as I can tell it took several things:
1. Step away from the frustration
2. Consult the forum
3. Enjoy a cold beer (perhaps the key to victory here)
4. Approach the task from a new angle
5. Double check pad seating
6. Smack that rascal with a ball peen

Seriously, thanks

J

#1 on your list always helps in my experience. It's amazing how stepping away from the problem for a while can allow you to solve the problem.

 

[bonzoso]

#1 on your list always helps in my experience. It's amazing how stepping away from the problem for a while can allow you to solve the problem.

Amen to that!