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DIY MKV Rabbit Rear Brakes - GTI Brake swap.

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abs brakes diy forum forums gti install mkv mkv rabbit pads process rabbit rear removing reset stock swap tomorrow volkswagen vw rabbit wheels winter
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79K views 52 replies 17 participants last post by  le0n  
#1 · (Edited)
Why swap? The GTI utilizes 286mm rear rotors (solid), just 2mm smaller than the rabbit front rotors (288mm vented). Everyone has heard about the quick wear on the Rabbit rear brakes. However, the GTI's do not appear to have this problem. So at the cost of a few extra unsprung pounds you get longer brake pad/rotor life and shorter braking. Just like the front brakes the GTI and Rabbits share the same pads and calipers, the only difference being the rotor and caliper carriers.

Difficulty rating 4/10 If you have the right tools its fairly simple.

A couple of things to note.
You cannot remove the rear calipers with the ebrake on. Use wheel chocks to stop the front wheels from moving and leave the car in 1st gear (manual) or park (automatic).
You'll only need to do about 1/2 of what is shown if you are swapping the stock rotors/pads for a rabbit.

Rotor Comparison (Rabbit rotor weight 9.0lbs GTI rotor weight 10.5lbs)
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Carrier Comparison (GTI's are in black at 1.5lbs, Rabbits in silver at 2lbs)
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Tools required.

Jack
14mm Triple Square
3/8 in drive breaker bar
T30 bit
17mm deep weld socket and appropriate ratchet
caliper piston compressor kit
$99 tool rental at Advanced Auto Parts(fully refundable)
$55 tool rental at Autozone (fully refundable)
$20 (not including tax/shipping) to purchase from Harbor Freight (larger kit is $35)

My final price from Harbor Freight was $30.40

GTI swap additional tools
13mm socket w/ ratchet
15mm box/open end wrench
tin snips

I'm starting this off easy by breaking the torque on the lug nuts, jacking up the rear control arm then removing the wheel/tire.
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Locate the 14mm triple square bolts.
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Curse the skies in anger when the torque finally breaks and you rack your knuckles.

Loosen bottom bolt.
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Remove top and bottom 14mm triple square bolt and wiggle caliper loose. (Note, you cannot remove the caliper with the ebrake on.)
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brace the caliper on something so as not to put any undue stress on the brake lines.
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Discussion starter · #47 ·
I never had a problem. Most people complain about the rear pads wearing out too fast. This is due to how the brakes are biased to prevent nose dive.

I only swapped because I felt I needed the additional braking force. GTI uses the same calipers so it will not affect the ESP.
 
Discussion starter · #43 ·
At most I would have been lifting 1/4 of the cars weight, not 1/2 if I used one of the jack points under the car. Again I have free medical and overall I just really dont care.

My recommendation. Use jackstands.
 
Discussion starter · #41 ·
The calipers are the same on the GTI/GOLF/Rabbit for 2006-2009, I'm not sure about the beetle. That is just the weight of the caliper. They're pretty heavy.

The beetle uses 288x25 front rotors which are the same size as the Rabbit/Golf rotors. The P/N is different for the caliper but it lists it as the whole assembly and I cannot reference the caliper by its self.

I did however buy my calipers/carriers and everything from a Beetle owner who intended to install them on his car.
 
Discussion starter · #37 ·
I don't know for sure if they're aluminum, the Rabbit calipers appear to be, but the GTI calipers are powder coated. But I can get the weights for you. Did you only need the caliper weights?
 
Discussion starter · #22 ·
Bed in varies by rotor/pads. The two most common procedures are 1) moderate driving for 400-500 miles while the pads/rotors develop a nice relationship, go out on a couple of dates, then hopefully at the end of the 500 miles end up with a nice even surface between them. (avoid heavy braking) 2) Moderate slowing method. Varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Accelerate to 30-40mph and gradually apply the brakes to slow to around 10 mph. Repeat this process several times allowing the brakes to cool between each braking session.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Update on the brakes. Make sure you're paying attention. I'm pretty soft when it comes to braking and I slowed down to turn off the highway and got a little surprise when I applied the brakes. They're significantly more aggressive than the stock Rabbit brakes.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
If you jack it up by the control arm all you're doing is compressing the suspension. Same as if you were driving around corners. I'm not lifting the whole car up by the arm, just enough to get the tire off the ground. This will also keep 3 wheels on the ground so you're working from a decently stable platform.

As far as the carrier/caliper question. I just found it easier to pull the caliper off than try to wiggle all of the tools behind the hub rotor and all of that.

Yes I do have GTI front rotors. However, I didn't think to get the weights of the rotors and carriers when I was messing with it.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Reinstall wheel/tire
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Lower jack to torque down the lug bolts fully

Comparison of stock brakes and GTI brakes
Stock
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GTI
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Dont forget to pump the brake pedal to expand the caliper piston. You know it when the pedal gets hard. You also might want to let the car roll down the driveway a bit and then slam on the brakes. If you notice any liquid on the wheels, brakes or concrete you might have broken a brake line.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Once the piston is compressed install the GTI carrier (if applicable) and install the new pads.
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Install the rotor utilizing the T30 bolt again, and the caliper/carrier using the 14mm triple square bolts. (Be aware of the ABS sensor wire/connector. You do not want to have to replace this if you crack it with the breaker bar.)
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Discussion starter · #3 ·
Grab your caliper tool
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Set properly into caliper to reset the piston. Note the piece between my fingers. You can tighten/loosed the tension when using/removing the tool.
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Discussion starter · #2 · (Edited)
Using the T30 bit remove the screw holding the rotor.
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Remove the rotor and note the 3 T30 screws holding the dust sheild. (Not required to remove for Rabbit brake replacement.)
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Destroy the dust shield.
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Unbolt 3 T30 screws and remove shield
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Admire the caliper and carrier. Note 13mm and 15mm sizes
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Loosen carrier/caliper bolts
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