mikerouze

Hi Guys - Getting ready to place my "springtime maintenance" order from FCP... So I'm driving to work the other day and my brake pad warning light comes on, great timing! However when I last changed out the brake pads I noticed my caliper boots (F&R) had small tears. Now this may be due to my own carelessness, or someone who worked on the vehicle previously, but in any case I would like to get everything back in proper working order.

Long story short - I'm pretty confident with my wrenching abilities, am comfortable working in VCDS for the EPB, but I haven't disassembled a caliper before. Have any of you replaced the caliper boots and seals before on an A6 or similar model? I've done a lot of searching and read a lot of forum posts but can't find a true DIY or anyone who has mentioned they personally replaced them. Does anyone have any advice or tips they would be able to offer? Overall it seems like a straightforward process, the hardest parts being removing the EPB motors from the rear calipers in order to get the pistons out, and trying not to spill brake fluid everywhere. Any advice would be appreciated! Just want to make sure there's nothing special I need to watch out for.
Full spring maintenance list:
- OE Audi pads 4F0698151D & 4F0698451D (I prefer the strong initial bite over similar low-dust pads, don't get me started on ceramics)
- OE Zimmerman rotors 4F0615301E & 4F0615601E (Current rotors are absolutely toast, we're talking grooves so deep they would make music if placed on a record player)
- OE Caliper Rebuild Kits 4B0698471A & 1J0698671 (Cheaper than buying all new calipers)
- OE Audi DOT4 Brake Fluid B000750M3 (Same price as Pentosin, so why not go OEM)
- OE Engine Air Filter (Haven't replaced in... 58K miles, whoops!)
- OE Wiper Blades (Also WAY overdue, current wipers might as well be made of wood)
- Oil service kit, LiquiMoly Leichtlauf 5W-40 & OEM Mann filter (Oil changes are done topside thanks to my super useful Mityvac 7201)

Thanks again!

SvdSinner

Haven't done those specific calipers, but some general advise:
1) Don't skimp on bleeding the lines after you are done. Don't forget to use a brake fluid moisture tester to test the fluid that you bleed out. Just because the reservoir tests out OK doesn't mean the fluid in the lines near the caliper is the same quality. Brake fluid moisture destroys calipers
2) Clean the places the old boot and seals came out of. Check for debris with a hook/pick. Slapping a new boot or seal on top of grit or debris doesn't help much.

mikerouze

Thanks for the tips Svd! I did some broader searching and stumbled across this :: a4mods.com :: - The Premiere Audi A4 Modification Guide and Pictures Library which goes over the whole process start to finish on an S4 caliper.. Definitely sure I can handle this.