Brakes are relatively easy to work on. Brakes wear, but the rotors on the GTI VR6 are sturdy and may not need replacing. This procedure covers replacing the front brake pads.

Tools and Parts required:

• 17mm socket
• 7mm hex driver bit
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Coat hanger
• New pads

Step	Description	Photo
1.	Remove wheels and jack up front end of car. Make sure to use jack stands for safety! This picture shows the exposed rotor and caliper.
2.	Find the dust caps on the caliper bolts. Remove. Shown are the dust caps and hex driver bit. Some models have a different caliper bolt. Remove the retaining clip that presses against the pads and slips into the caliper (piece of wire in picture 1).
3.	Picture from behind the caliper showing the caliper bolt which goes into the caliper guides. Unbolt. Luckily the dust caps keep this a fairly easy job, but you may need to use some WD-40. Some models have a brake pad wear sensor that needs to be disconnected.
4.	Use a piece of coat hanger to hold the caliper up and out of the way. The idea is to prevent the caliper from hanging by the brake lines. Make sure there is no stress on the brake line.
5.	The pads will simply pull out at this point. You may need to wiggle them if they are seized up. The rear pad has a clip that extends into the piston. Shown is the old pad and caliper clip removed.
6.	Open the cap to the brake fluid reservoir. You will be pushing the caliper piston back in which will force brake fluid back up into the reservoir. You will probably need to remove some brake fluid; a turkey baster works well. Be careful not to get any debris in the brake reservoir! Use a c-clamp or other means to push piston back into caliper.
7.	Install new brake pads. Reverse installation procedure. Place calipers back on. Use new self-locking caliper bolts. Tighten to 26ft/lbs. Install retaining clip. Put wheels back on car. Tighten wheel lugs to 81ft/lbs. Done!