A6Driv3r

I have no idea how to remove the guide pin from the caliper housing so that I can remove the caliper and replace the front rotors.

There is no documentation in the Bentley program or book on even removing the caliper from the housing. What a joke.

The closest I have seen online is people saying to use a 7mm hex bolt (or wrench) to remove them, but when I put such an allen wrench into the guide pin slot, it spins freely, and a 8mm is too large. It appears to be a hollow cylinder with no way to grasp it.

Thanks for your help.

Redneck Truck

Is it a triple square? Maybe an M8 or M10?

A6Driv3r

The calipers are the HP-2 variety.

tomato4.2

I'm assuming these are the HP-2 calipers. The heads for those bolts are on the inside, where you can only get at them after removing the rotor. There are 18mm bolt heads on the backside that hold the caliper and bracket on. Take the bottom one out and loosen the top one so you can swing the caliper up far enough to remove the rotors. That top one is a total pain because it's positioned so it's hard to get leverage and they are in there very tightly.

2001 A6 4.2

A6Driv3r

I dont think so. The cylinders appear to be smooth on the inside. I cant discern any groves.

Redneck Truck

Hopefully they weren't smoothed by a prior mechanic :-)

A6Driv3r

I see two types of bolts, 2 triple square, and I think just one regular bolt on the back of the calipers. The top TS bolt doesnt even seem accessible as there is a part blocking it that I dont recognize.

Is it terrible to replace just the brake pads? How often should you replace the rotors, or get the rotors turned/smoothed?

Redneck Truck

Unless your rotors are lipped or warped or super thin, I would just pad slap it.

A6Driv3r

I just noticed your in Plano. I'm in McKinney. Do you use anybody local besides the Audi dealerships for your Audi? And on that note, do you know of any place in Dallas that is good for Audi parts besides the dealerships? They will rip you off six ways to Sunday.

Redneck Truck

Believe me, I know. I do most of my own work. Anything I can't handle, a personal friend does. Pm me your phone number and I'll text you.