GazW
Guest
Hi All,
Here is a quick guide to changing Discs/Pads on a Leon Cupra fitted with FN3 type calipers. These calipers were fitted to my 01 Leon Cupra with 312mm discs.
As always, use this guide at your own risk.
1. Loosen wheel bolts, jack up the car and remove the wheel.
2. Remove the spring clip from the outside edge of the caliper. Use a screw drive to lever the spring out from the caliper at the top and the bottom.
3. If fitted, remove the connector to the brake pad wear sensor.
4. Remove the protective caps on the bolts at the back of the caliper. These bolts hold the caliper to the hanger and will require an allen key to remove them. There is one at the top and the bottom of the caliper
5. Next remove the caliper from the pads. It might be necessary to pull the caliper against the disc (pull it carefully inline with the piston towards you) this will give you the clearance to remove the caliper.
6. The seat guide says to only clean the caliper off with alcohol. Next you will need to push the piston into the caliper; this can be done by hand or by pulling it against the disc (careful you don't pull the car off the jack). Far better is to use a tool specifically for the job like a caliper piston spreader (make sure the fluid doesn't overflow out of the master cylinder, brake fluid is corrosive and will remove paint). Hang the caliper from the suspension with string/wire to hold it out the way and so that it does not stress the flexible brake fluid hose.
7. Next you need to remove the hanger by removing the 2 bolts that hold it to the hub. These can be quite tight, use a socket and make sure it fits snug to the bolt.
8. Once removed clean the hanger and make sure the parts in picture are clean and free from corrosion. The pads will fit against here and it’s important to make sure that they will move freely. This will ensure you don't get odd wear or binding of the pad to the disc.
9. Next remove the disc from the hub. First remove the locating screw from the hub. This is a Philips head screw that can be a bugger to remove. You have a few choices:
Screw Driver - This is difficult if the screw is tight or corroded. You'll probably round the head which leads you to the next option.
Drill - Drill the head off and remove the rest of the screw after the disc with pliers. You'll need to replace the screw.
The best way I found is get yourself an impact driver. This will remove a rusty corroded screw fast and easy. It won't damage the screw so you can reuse it.
Now remove the disc. You might need to whack it with a hammer from the back. Rotate the disc after each hit to make sure you loosen both sides.
10. Clean the hub and back plate. Make that there is no rust or dirt so the new disc will fit snug against the hub. This prevents disc run out issues that cause brake judder. Fit the new disc and the locating screw.
11. Refit the hanger with a small amount (I use just a thin smear) of copper grease to the areas marked below. Make sure the bolts to the hub are tight enough.
12. Fit the brake pads. These slide as in the picture below.
For genuine pads, the follow guidance note was in the seat service manual:
Once installed, the arrow on the brake calliper's back plate -A- must point downwards. Do not overlook this detail!
13. Fit the caliper back over the pads. Replace the bolts that hold it to the hanger and refit the protective caps.
14. Fit the retaining spring to the outside of the caliper. It’s best to fit the bottom end into the caliper and then lever the spring over the hanger. Then repeat for the top.
15. Clip the brake pad warning sensor to the plug on the strut. Refit the wheel, lower the jack and tighten the wheel bolts.
16. Press the brake pedal a few times to bring the new pads up against the disc. Fit the disc/pads to the other side repeating the process.
17. Take the car for a gentle quiet ride, take it easy and make sure everything works. You'll need about 500miles to bed the discs/pads in before using the brakes hard.
Good luck, I hope this guides helps someone out.
Here is a quick guide to changing Discs/Pads on a Leon Cupra fitted with FN3 type calipers. These calipers were fitted to my 01 Leon Cupra with 312mm discs.
As always, use this guide at your own risk.
1. Loosen wheel bolts, jack up the car and remove the wheel.
2. Remove the spring clip from the outside edge of the caliper. Use a screw drive to lever the spring out from the caliper at the top and the bottom.
3. If fitted, remove the connector to the brake pad wear sensor.
4. Remove the protective caps on the bolts at the back of the caliper. These bolts hold the caliper to the hanger and will require an allen key to remove them. There is one at the top and the bottom of the caliper
5. Next remove the caliper from the pads. It might be necessary to pull the caliper against the disc (pull it carefully inline with the piston towards you) this will give you the clearance to remove the caliper.
6. The seat guide says to only clean the caliper off with alcohol. Next you will need to push the piston into the caliper; this can be done by hand or by pulling it against the disc (careful you don't pull the car off the jack). Far better is to use a tool specifically for the job like a caliper piston spreader (make sure the fluid doesn't overflow out of the master cylinder, brake fluid is corrosive and will remove paint). Hang the caliper from the suspension with string/wire to hold it out the way and so that it does not stress the flexible brake fluid hose.
7. Next you need to remove the hanger by removing the 2 bolts that hold it to the hub. These can be quite tight, use a socket and make sure it fits snug to the bolt.
8. Once removed clean the hanger and make sure the parts in picture are clean and free from corrosion. The pads will fit against here and it’s important to make sure that they will move freely. This will ensure you don't get odd wear or binding of the pad to the disc.
9. Next remove the disc from the hub. First remove the locating screw from the hub. This is a Philips head screw that can be a bugger to remove. You have a few choices:
Screw Driver - This is difficult if the screw is tight or corroded. You'll probably round the head which leads you to the next option.
Drill - Drill the head off and remove the rest of the screw after the disc with pliers. You'll need to replace the screw.
The best way I found is get yourself an impact driver. This will remove a rusty corroded screw fast and easy. It won't damage the screw so you can reuse it.
Now remove the disc. You might need to whack it with a hammer from the back. Rotate the disc after each hit to make sure you loosen both sides.
10. Clean the hub and back plate. Make that there is no rust or dirt so the new disc will fit snug against the hub. This prevents disc run out issues that cause brake judder. Fit the new disc and the locating screw.
11. Refit the hanger with a small amount (I use just a thin smear) of copper grease to the areas marked below. Make sure the bolts to the hub are tight enough.
12. Fit the brake pads. These slide as in the picture below.
For genuine pads, the follow guidance note was in the seat service manual:
Once installed, the arrow on the brake calliper's back plate -A- must point downwards. Do not overlook this detail!
13. Fit the caliper back over the pads. Replace the bolts that hold it to the hanger and refit the protective caps.
14. Fit the retaining spring to the outside of the caliper. It’s best to fit the bottom end into the caliper and then lever the spring over the hanger. Then repeat for the top.
15. Clip the brake pad warning sensor to the plug on the strut. Refit the wheel, lower the jack and tighten the wheel bolts.
16. Press the brake pedal a few times to bring the new pads up against the disc. Fit the disc/pads to the other side repeating the process.
17. Take the car for a gentle quiet ride, take it easy and make sure everything works. You'll need about 500miles to bed the discs/pads in before using the brakes hard.
Good luck, I hope this guides helps someone out.
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