HOW-TO: Audi TT front brake upgrade

[dan]

Alright so since it's been so warm in Cleveland this winter, I went ahead and spent a couple hours today doing the TT brake swap on the wifes car. It is a 2002 1.8T NB.

To start, I ordered some Zimmerman brakes and Mintex Red pads from http://www.rockauto.com






I bought the caliper carrier brackets on ebay. Heres a shot of everything needed to complete this swap.




In the following pics, you can see the size difference between the TT and the stock rotors, and also the height difference in the caliper carriers.







After removing the wheel, take off the wire retainer using a flat blade screwdriver.




On the backside of the caliper are 2 black plastic snap caps that cover the caliper bolts. After removing the caps, use a 7mm hex allen wrench to remove the screws.




Once the caliper screws are out, you can remove the caliper from the carrier using a large flat screwdriver. Once it is out, use an 18mm socket to break loose the bolts that hold the caliper carrier to the spindle.





Using a #3 phillips screwdriver, remove the flathead screw that holds the rotor the the hub. Remove the rotor. Here's what you'll see.






REASSEMBLY:
Install the new TT rotor and reinstall the flathead screw that holds the rotor to the hub. Install the TT carrier bracket by using the 18mm bolts to attach it to the spindle. Use a c-clamp or other tool to press the piston back into the caliper. Put the new pads into the caliper, paying attention the the wear sensor wires on the divers side inner pad. Apply brake lube to the new caliper screws, and tighten them with a 6mm hex allen wrench. Put the black snap caps back over the caliper screws. Reinstall the wire retainer clip. Reinstall the wheel. Repeat procedure for passenger side.


IMPORTANT!!!
Make sure to depress the brake pedal 5 or 6 times, or until you feel the pressure build back up in the system, which will be noted by a hard feeling brake pedal, before starting the car and putting it into gear. If this is not done, the first time you try to stop the car, you'll be in for an unpleasant surprise. Take the car out and seat the pads using whatever method you feel is correct. Enjoy!!

[SilverSportNOLA]

Glad you got them done ... just let her know it will be a little slower off the line, but will stop lots better. Next weekend you can bleed the brakes, should be done every 2 years, I went 5, well 3 since I bought it, and the new fluid helped a lot also.

[dan]

Unsprung weight

I wanted to say thanks to SilverSportNOLA, Pelican18TQA4 and r0nd3L for helping me out in my previous thread where I asked what all was involved and needed for this upgrade.

[NYBugman]

Good post.

A friend of mine just put some Alcon's on his R32, so another friend is getting his R32 brakes. Now, this car is a 20thAE GTI, so I'm in line to get his front brakes. Good thing too, because I need to put fresh fluid in the car.

Also, what's nice about the TT/20th brakes is that you can easily upgrade to Boxster/Brembo 4-piston calipers on those rotors