2000 VW Beetle Brakes

[littledeed]

Hello I am going to put front brakes on my 2000 beetle tomorrow. Is there any special tools I will need for this? I called the parts house and the offer 2 different brake pads one with a sensor and one without. Is there a way to tell which one I need without taking the wheel off? Just didnt want to take it off only to put it back on to drive and pick up pads.

Thanks,
Kenny

[janitz]

We have a similar discussion in the 1.8T forum which would be applicable in regards to brakes.

You likely do have to visually inspect to see if you have the brake wear sensor on your car.

Before you go and buy anything I'd suggest pulling off the wheels and visually inspecting the rotors as well. If your rotors are grooved and worn then new pads will just get worn and grooved and your brake performance won't really be improved for very long.

Here's a DIY guide, which I guess I could have just linked and not wasted time typing anything:

"How To" Replace your Pads and Rotors (Front and Rear)

[VDubYah]

The wear sensor is on the driver side. You should be able look at the back side of the caliber on the drivers side and see the connector and a wire coming out of the pad back.

That said you should check the condition of your rotors before you go to get pads. May save you an extra trip with the rotors are grooved.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by littledeed

Hello I am going to put front brakes on my 2000 beetle tomorrow. Is there any special tools I will need for this? I called the parts house and the offer 2 different brake pads one with a sensor and one without. Is there a way to tell which one I need without taking the wheel off? Just didnt want to take it off only to put it back on to drive and pick up pads.

Thanks,
Kenny

I am 99.99% certain that you do have a wear sensor on the drivers side so get the one with the sensor.

Also I am with the others. Check your rotors. If they don't need replacing than they at least need to be turned. (Meaning resurfaced) O'Reiley's does it for about 10 bucks a rotor.
If they are worn too badly then replacement might be needed.
No special tool needed for the Front Brakes, however the for the rear brakes you do need a special caliper tool to turn the calipers while pushing them in or you will damage them. Also check the rear brakes. On VW's the rear brakes wear quicker than the front brakes.

[Opelmania]

Get the pads with the sensor lead and just cut it off if you don't need it. That's what I did.

Look over that thread, inspect at least front and rear rotors on one side, and be ready for issues. Seems that brake jobs lately haven't been going so well for people. Good luck.

[VDubYah]

I got new caliper bolts with new pad "springs" and the rubber covers for the pins from autozone.All in one package. They we about 6 bucks or something. So I had new pads rotor and hardware.