Now a much sought-after classic, the 1970 Volkswagen Beetle proved to be popular right from the start because of its revamped motor: the 1600 four-cylinder air-cooled engine, which offered drivers the added muscle of 57 horsepower. With the added boost also came new safety features, such as larger turn signals, more visible taillights with side reflectors and improved third and fourth transmission gears. If you own one of these classic vehicles, keeping it in good shape is likely very important to you---and that isn't easy to do if you can't stop your Volkswagen safely. Fortunately, replacing the brake shoes, or pads, is relatively easy and inexpensive---if you do the work yourself.
Tools Used: Tire iron or lug nut wrench, Floor jack, Flat head screwdriver, 7mm socket wrench, Rope or bungee cord, Brake cleaner, Cloth, New brake pads, Brake grease
Change Brake Shoes
Park your Volkswagen on a level, paved surface. Loosen the lug nuts with a tire iron or lug nut wrench. Select the wheel you'll be working on first and loosen its lug nuts with a tire iron or lug nut wrench.
Place a floor jack under the vehicle to the side of the wheel that's closest to the center of your Volkswagen. Line up the cradle---the part of the jack that comes in contact with the vehicle---with the frame.
Raise your Volkswagen with the floor jack until there's about an inch of clearance between the tire and the ground. Remove the lug nuts with a tire iron or lug nut wrench.
Grasp the tire with both hands and pull it toward you to remove it from the vehicle. This will expose the caliper assembly, which you'll find clamped around the upper portion of the rotor. An anti-rattle spring clip will be visible on the surface of the caliper.
Pry off the spring clip with a flat head screwdriver. Remove the two caliper bolts with a 7mm socket wrench. Pull the caliper off the rotor and remove the brake pads, which are located inside the caliper. In many cases, the brake pads will simply fall out when the caliper is removed.
Suspend the caliper from the shock absorber or inner wheel well with a rope or bungee cord to prevent damage to the brake line, which will remain attached to the caliper. Thoroughly clean the caliper and rotor with spray brake cleaner and a cloth.
Apply a small amount of brake grease to the backs of the new brake pads, being careful not to lubricate the sides that come in contact with the rotor. Remove the caliper from the rope or bungee cord and insert the new brake pads. Make sure you hold them in place until the caliper has been returned to its position on the rotor.
Insert the caliper bolts and tighten with a 7mm socket wrench. Reattach the anti-rattle spring clip and the wheel. Secure the wheel by screwing on the lug nuts. Lower your Volkswagen to the ground, remove the jack and tighten the lug nuts with a tire iron or lug nut wrench. Repeat the process for each of the other three wheels.
Tips & Warnings
There are countless types of brake pads available, so make sure you've purchased the right kind before disassembling the caliper. Changing brake pads can be a messy affair. To avoid getting "mechanic's hands," you might want to wear a pair of plastic or latex gloves.
Failure to apply brake grease to the backs of the pads will result in a loud squealing noise every time you bring your Volkswagen to a stop. Although you've probably heard this before, it bears repeating: Don't over-tighten the lug nuts. Doing so could cause the bolts to break or suffer damage, resulting in unsafe driving conditions.
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