How to Change the Rear Brakes on an Audi

1. Park your Audi on a flat, level surface. Place it in gear or ensure it is in "park" if it's an automatic. Loosen the lug nuts that hold the rear wheels on. Raise the rear of the vehicle with a floor jack and lower it securely onto jack stands on either side. Depending on the model of Audi you are working on, the location of the jacking points will vary. Consult your workshop manual for detailed directions. Remove the wheels and set them aside.
2. Spray the brake components and nearby components with brake cleaner and wipe them down with a clean rag so there is no dirt and oil on the brake components. It is important to ensure that the brakes and nearby areas are kept clean during any type of brake work.
3. Remove the two large bolts that hold the brake caliper to the brake caliper bracket. Slide the brake caliper off of the rotor. The pads may stay with the rotor or on the caliper. Either way, remove them and set them aside. Disconnect any brake wear sensor wires from the brake pads. Support the brake caliper with a piece of wire or a on a platform of some sort so that there is no weight on the soft brake line.
4. Remove the bolts that hold the caliper bracket on. Set the bolts and bracket aside. Pull the rotor straight off of the hub. As opposed to some makes, such as BMWs, Audis do not use a set screw to hold the brake rotor in place. It may be necessary to spray some penetrating fluid between the rotor and the hub and then tap the rotor from behind with a rubber mallet to free the rotor.
5. Clean the hub mounting surface and the new rotor. Slide the new rotor onto the hub. Retract the brake caliper piston with the special Audi brake caliper tool (see Resources) to allow enough clearance for the new pads to slide over the new rotor. This is a tool that fits onto the holes in the caliper and turns it while pressing it into the caliper. Before compressing the piston, open the lid for the brake fluid reservoir and remove some of the fluid with a syringe so that it doesn’t spill out of the reservoir.
6. Reinstall the caliper bracket and tighten the bolts. Slide the caliper and new pads over the rotor. Install the bolts that hold the caliper on and tighten them. Repeat the above steps for the other side of the car. Replace the wheels and lower the Audi to the ground. Check the level of the brake fluid and top up if necessary. Pump the brakes until the brake pedal feels firm.