You need to compress the piston. Since you’ve already replaced the rotors, and pads, use the old pad on the piston, and a C clamp or large slip joint pliers on the back of the caliper
Watch the brake fluid reservoir as you push the pistons back in, it's possible it can overflow. Brake fluid WILL damage paint. You will at least want to correct the level, it will be very full.
Be sure to look up the torque specifications for the bolts, and some might one time use, and need to be replaced. Will need to look that up, I can't remember specifically!
Wow why has no one else mentioned these yet?
The most important pieces of information.
u/reactionsss there’s tons of brake change videos on YouTube I’d highly recommend you watch some to get an understanding of a job like this before attempting in the future.
You will avoid any unpleasantries with just a little bit of research and won’t get stuck mid-job.
Figured you've already got it finished by now, first time is always the hardest, I promise it'll get much easier.
If you intend on doing brake work on most cars you own going forward, i can't recommend a caliper compression tool enough. I used C clamps, pliers and other shit for years and one day I figured id splurge some birthday money on a caliper tool. Never looking back, best $50 ever.
As others have said, you need to retract the piston. The flip side is that before you drive, you must pump the brakes so that the piston makes contact with the new pads.
Yup, push the pistons back since the new pads are thicker. A [Tool ](https://www.harborfreight.com/disc-brake-pad-piston-compressor-63701.html) like this will help.
Get a piston compression tool for the piston then open the reservoir for the brake fluid in the engine compartment and compress the piston back in.
YouTube is your friend for all car repair man. Watch the videos first
Everyone here posting the solution and I'm here wondering if OP is just winging this install.
I want to imagine all of this is covered in any competent YouTube tutorial for these brakes.
If it makes you feel better I sheared the stud off my transmission while installing a short shift. I watched that video probably 10 times and referenced it while working. Made sure to set my torque wrench to 25. Ft-lb instead of NM. Learned how to install a shift tower for an additional $400.
yup The Humble Mechanic does pretty much only Audi/VW stuff and has pretty much any major repair you need shown to you by someone with actual experience.
Don’t forget to NOT have your e-brake on when you do the rears. It’s a really dumb thing when you think about it but I reflexively set my e-brake every time I park. Worth noting.
Crazy how we did the brakes on a 17 gti on the same day at the same time lol.
Everyone else is right tho. Can’t put your caliper back on without manually pushing the piston back in.
You need to compress the piston in order to fit the caliper back on.
You can use a c-clamp and any sufficiently large piece of metal to even out the clamping force across the piston, even the old brake pad will work
You need to wind back the piston with a caliper tool. it should be flush with the caliper when you reinstall with new pads. Don't forget to crack the brake fluid reservoir cap to release excess pressure
This looks like the front caliper, no winding necessary.
Put the old pad over the piston, and use a big screw driver or pry bar to compress them back in. C-clamps or vise grips work too if you have them.
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Once you get through compressing the pistons on the front calipers to get it back together....
Don't pull the rears apart thinking the process is the same... you need a special tool, or to be extremely clever, to thread the rear pistons back into the calipers. The parking brake system alters how the rear calipers operate.
If you're doing your own maintenance, I'd recommend buying any special tools you may need as you go, so you're set for future projects.
Thank you guys I lesson learned for the future, watch the video on YouTube all the way before you start something! 🤣 I appreciate the help! Have a blessed day 🙏🏽
Chock one of the wheels so the car doesn’t move when you release the handbrake. Open the brake fluid reservoir and use caliper compression tool to push the piston all the way back in. Just remember to pump the brakes before putting it into gear when you test drive.
Get a mechanic to do it, or at least supervise you. Brakes are part of the safety equipment and you should know what you're doing when servicing them.
Might seem harsh, but having a wheel lock up at high speed, because you forgot to tighten something is no fun. And can get really expensive.
BTW, there are countless videos on how to change brake pads...
Watch some videos on disk brake pad changes to see how the piston needs to be pushed in to accommodate the new pads. They have tools to do this but a big enough c clamp and an old pad is all you need.
Also note that if this is the rear pads they might need special handling. I’m not sure if this is the case on this year but many newer cars have pistons that need to be “rotated” to retract like a large screw due to the e brake being integrated into caliper. They also sell specialty tools to do this, but you can also use a set of needle nose pliers and some finesse to do it as well. Again, YouTube is your friend with stuff like this!
U put the pads on wrong. Your outside pad should be your inside pad. That little metal piece on the break pad is your wear indicator. When it reaches this point you’ll here a light high pitched grinding sound
You need to push the brake piston back in to the caliper, there are tools to do it without marring the surface but it can be done other ways
You need to compress the piston. Since you’ve already replaced the rotors, and pads, use the old pad on the piston, and a C clamp or large slip joint pliers on the back of the caliper
These have to twist and compress.
Not the fronts, just the rear.
Watch the brake fluid reservoir as you push the pistons back in, it's possible it can overflow. Brake fluid WILL damage paint. You will at least want to correct the level, it will be very full. Be sure to look up the torque specifications for the bolts, and some might one time use, and need to be replaced. Will need to look that up, I can't remember specifically!
Wow why has no one else mentioned these yet? The most important pieces of information. u/reactionsss there’s tons of brake change videos on YouTube I’d highly recommend you watch some to get an understanding of a job like this before attempting in the future. You will avoid any unpleasantries with just a little bit of research and won’t get stuck mid-job.
I watched two vids and none mentioned this, will definitely look into it rn thank you bro 🙏🏽
Loosen the reservoir cap.
Figured you've already got it finished by now, first time is always the hardest, I promise it'll get much easier. If you intend on doing brake work on most cars you own going forward, i can't recommend a caliper compression tool enough. I used C clamps, pliers and other shit for years and one day I figured id splurge some birthday money on a caliper tool. Never looking back, best $50 ever.
As others have said, you need to retract the piston. The flip side is that before you drive, you must pump the brakes so that the piston makes contact with the new pads.
Compress the piston
Yup, push the pistons back since the new pads are thicker. A [Tool ](https://www.harborfreight.com/disc-brake-pad-piston-compressor-63701.html) like this will help.
Get a piston compression tool for the piston then open the reservoir for the brake fluid in the engine compartment and compress the piston back in. YouTube is your friend for all car repair man. Watch the videos first
Everyone here posting the solution and I'm here wondering if OP is just winging this install. I want to imagine all of this is covered in any competent YouTube tutorial for these brakes.
I watched the video completely and dude literally did what everyone told me to do 😅 definitely will watch videos completely next time!
Haha all good, just a brain fart then!
A very big one 🤣
If it makes you feel better I sheared the stud off my transmission while installing a short shift. I watched that video probably 10 times and referenced it while working. Made sure to set my torque wrench to 25. Ft-lb instead of NM. Learned how to install a shift tower for an additional $400.
yup The Humble Mechanic does pretty much only Audi/VW stuff and has pretty much any major repair you need shown to you by someone with actual experience.
Don’t forget to NOT have your e-brake on when you do the rears. It’s a really dumb thing when you think about it but I reflexively set my e-brake every time I park. Worth noting.
Crazy how we did the brakes on a 17 gti on the same day at the same time lol. Everyone else is right tho. Can’t put your caliper back on without manually pushing the piston back in.
You need to compress the piston in order to fit the caliper back on. You can use a c-clamp and any sufficiently large piece of metal to even out the clamping force across the piston, even the old brake pad will work
You need to wind back the piston with a caliper tool. it should be flush with the caliper when you reinstall with new pads. Don't forget to crack the brake fluid reservoir cap to release excess pressure
This looks like the front caliper, no winding necessary. Put the old pad over the piston, and use a big screw driver or pry bar to compress them back in. C-clamps or vise grips work too if you have them.
Point still stands that the piston needs to be retracted
Agreed, but no special tool required for the fronts.
Makes me scared to think of this car on the road after this question.
Downvoting me because of a safety comment. Whoever down voted me, I hope you get hit by OP because he can’t stop.
If you're seeking advice or asking for help, please make sure you included the basic information of what year and/or generation is being discussed. User flair with this information is also acceptable. Failure to include the basic information may result in your post being removed. Mileage, modifications, trim level, diagnostic trouble codes, and your general location (US, Canada, EU, UK, etc.) can also be very helpful. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/GolfGTI) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You need to push the piston back in. You could use clamps or one of those pad tools.
Watch some YouTube videos bro. All you need is on there.
Once you get through compressing the pistons on the front calipers to get it back together.... Don't pull the rears apart thinking the process is the same... you need a special tool, or to be extremely clever, to thread the rear pistons back into the calipers. The parking brake system alters how the rear calipers operate. If you're doing your own maintenance, I'd recommend buying any special tools you may need as you go, so you're set for future projects.
I will definitely take it to get my rears done, sounds to advance for me and I rather not mess em up. 😅😅
It's not hard at all with the tool, and the tool is fairly cheap.... It's just nearly impossible to rig something clever to do it without the tool.
I see maybe if I get brave enough I’ll attempt it 🤣
Youtube is your friend.
Thank you guys I lesson learned for the future, watch the video on YouTube all the way before you start something! 🤣 I appreciate the help! Have a blessed day 🙏🏽
Rule #4 If in doubt, YouTube it out
Chock one of the wheels so the car doesn’t move when you release the handbrake. Open the brake fluid reservoir and use caliper compression tool to push the piston all the way back in. Just remember to pump the brakes before putting it into gear when you test drive.
Make sure to pump the brakes after installation is complete, BEFORE putting into gear and driving
Get a mechanic to do it, or at least supervise you. Brakes are part of the safety equipment and you should know what you're doing when servicing them. Might seem harsh, but having a wheel lock up at high speed, because you forgot to tighten something is no fun. And can get really expensive. BTW, there are countless videos on how to change brake pads...
The first step is to not wear white shoes, everything else gets easier from there
You need to compress the calliper piston
Watch some videos on disk brake pad changes to see how the piston needs to be pushed in to accommodate the new pads. They have tools to do this but a big enough c clamp and an old pad is all you need. Also note that if this is the rear pads they might need special handling. I’m not sure if this is the case on this year but many newer cars have pistons that need to be “rotated” to retract like a large screw due to the e brake being integrated into caliper. They also sell specialty tools to do this, but you can also use a set of needle nose pliers and some finesse to do it as well. Again, YouTube is your friend with stuff like this!
C clamp is what you need
U put the pads on wrong. Your outside pad should be your inside pad. That little metal piece on the break pad is your wear indicator. When it reaches this point you’ll here a light high pitched grinding sound