Hey all, newbie here with first question,

I was looking into replacing the Front brake pads on my 2006 Audi A6 quattro 3.2 , and I was just wondering if taking the caliper off could be done with basic tools or if they have special tools needed? I also wanted to ask what you guys use here for quality brake pads and where you guys purchase your parts from? I am pretty sure there is a sensor on the front brake pads but could anybody please confirm that? Please advise if there is anything else out of the ordinary when replacing front brake pads and rotors.

Thank You for all your help in advance.

Fred

 

you will need a special tool to press back the pistons in the caliper to load the new pads and make sure you get the proper pads and rotors that work with the sensors in the car... other than that theres nothing else that i know of that would be out of the ordinary

 

Many people have just used C clamps or large vice grips to hold the pistons back but be sure and have your rotors turned or replaced if they are past turning. You can usually get them turned on the car. Also consider getting upgraded ceramic pads..much less dust and just better material they also must have the sensors.
For parts try:
http://www.blauparts.com/
Look for Akebono Pads

 

I wouldnt do it on my own if I was you. I took my a6 05 to a shop to have my brakes done and at the end of the day they had to tow my car to an audi dealership. I was told from the dealership that you need the a computer program to squeeze the pads back and if you dont have that program dont try it. The shop broke my caliper also trying to squeeze it.

 

They probably screw back in like the rears. I did mine on my B6 A4 a few months ago using a big C clamp and some pliers, but I found a universal tool in Northern IIRC for something like $25-30. However, if the shop has never seen this type of caliper then I can see them breaking the unit. Then again, if the shop has never seen this type of caliper, I would have to question what else they have never seen.

 

The fronts don't require software to retract the pistons. Use a C-clamp. The rears however, require using vag-com due to the electronic parking break. U do not want to manually push and turn these pistons back on the rear calipers as you risk damaging expensive *** calipers.