The 1969 VW Bug has some distinct features to its caliper, unlike any that readily come to mind. The caliper has two halves secured together by four bolts. The bolts enter from the front or outside. The pads are square and have two holes in their metal backing plates. They are held in place by two smooth pins that enter from the inside out. They run through the inside section of the caliper, through the two brake pads and then through the outside piece of the caliper. The pins are held in by a spring that spans the caliper and is inserted into holes in the pins where they protrude through the outside part of the caliper.
Tools Used: Floor jack, Jack stands, Lug wrench, Common screwdriver, Needle nose pliers, Set of Allen wrenches
Change the Front Brakes
Raise the front of the car and support it on jack stands. Remove the tire and wheel assembly, using the lug wrench.
Insert the screwdriver between the inner brake pad and the rotor. Pry the pad inward to compress the piston back into the caliper bore. Remove the spring keeper that is inserted in the holes in the pad-retaining pins, using pliers.
Pull the pins out from the inside of the caliper, using the pliers. Do not loosen the flat spring between the pads because it keeps the pads from squealing. Before you pull the pad retaining pins out, notice that the pins go over the top of the ends of the spring, keeping the spring in place and pushing down on the brake pads. Without this spring, they would rattle and squeal. Install it the same manner. Lift the brake pads out of the caliper.
Install the new brake pads on both sides of the rotor. Insert the retaining pins, keeping the pins above the center spring and push them through until they emerge from the outer part of the caliper.
Install the retainer spring through the holes in the brake pad pins to hold it in place.
Tips & Warnings
Always pump the brakes before you put the vehicle in gear.
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