need socket/hex? size for front brakes

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Nov 17, 2011 | 07:29 PM

m1964

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AudiWorld Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2009

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need socket/hex? size for front brakes

I am going to have the front brakes replaced-the inner pad is at minoimum, but no light yet.
I already ordered new sensor (just in case the old oned does not come out w/o breaking), new EBC ceramic pads, and just ordered new Zimmermann rotors today.

I am debating if I should go to my ind. mech, who will charge me about $150, or to do it myself -last few days I did not have much work, so I may try to save a few $$, since I have done brakes on other cars (Volvo, LR, Buick).

If I do decide to change the brakes myself, I'd like to have sizes/tools needed, so I do not need to run to sears in the middle of the job.

I need to know caliper bolts socket (felt like the "star") size,
and the size of the bolts holding the caliper brackets.

Thank a lot

Nov 18, 2011 | 02:27 AM

1atlas

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Joined: Apr 2009

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Not sure on bolt size but would br great if you could do it yourself and shoot a few pictures in the process. Many of us in same boat and looking for a brake DIY thread.
Good luck with the brakes.

Nov 18, 2011 | 03:04 AM

rdA4WtQ5

AudiWorld Senior Member

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 1,664

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From: Western Mass

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1964

If you have a full torx and metric socket set with a variety of extensions you will be fine. PB Blaster is your friend to loosen stuck bolts. The connector for the sensor is fragile and is easy to fracture as the car gets older. You probably already know that for the rear brakes you will need VCDS to open the the caliper to install the new pads and/or rotors.

Nov 18, 2011 | 04:37 AM

HaveBullDogWillTravel

AudiWorld Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 1,091

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From: Chesapeake, VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1964

I'd like to have sizes/tools needed, so I do not need to run to sears in the middle of the job.

This is an EASY brake job.
You'll need decent box end/combination wrenches for the caliper bolts and caliper bracket. Socket set will also help
IIRC, the caliper bracket bolts are 18mm.
Caliper to bracket bolts are either 12 or 13mm.
You'll need a T20-25-30(can't remember which)Torx wrench for the rotor retaining bolt.
Pull the sensor straight out before disassembling anything else. Be careful not to lose the small retaining spring/clip.
When re-assembling...
Forget about trying to torque the caliper bracket bolts as you will be hard pressed to get a torque wrench in there. Just tighten them up as much as you can without the wrench slipping off and destroying your knuckles.
Wipe down the face of the hub where the wheel contacts it with copper-coat paste/antiseize compound.
Use disc brake quiet in the squeeze bottle wherever the brake pads contact any metal part of the caliper.
Wipe down the face of the hub where the wheel contacts it with copper-coat paste/anti-seize compound.

Last edited by HaveBullDogWillTravel; Nov 18, 2011 at 05:33 AM.

Nov 18, 2011 | 06:35 PM

m1964

Thread Starter

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Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 742

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Thanks for your help- the job is not that difficult exc. it is getting colder, and I have not recieved the rotors yet-I just realized I am off next Thursday, and I'm not cooking the turkey, so if I have the rotors and it is not cold, I will do it myself; if it is cold here then it is a trip to my indie next weekend.

May 31, 2019 | 09:38 PM

Willgatlin25

08' Audi Q7 4.2 FSI Owner

Joined: Apr 2019

Posts: 111

Likes: 2

From: Enumclaw, WA

I’m stopped in the middle of my brake job right now on my 08 Q7.... I don’t have a socket or a wrench large enough to get the stupid caliper bolts off so I can swap out my rotors. I tried my 3/4” socket and it doesn’t fit. 18mm is just a hair short of what a 3/4” would be and it doesn’t fit either. What size are these damn bolts?