sack lunch

clarifications: When starting, the first thing to do is pull the circlips out (the little bobby-pin looking things) holding both metal retainer pins in. I was kinda puzzled when starting out at first at what to do. Then the pins slide out (toward the inside of the caliper; if they don't come out easily, just tap the outer part of the pin with something that won't scuff the caliper). Everything then falls apart real easily.

If you're changing rotors too, I highly recommend a 1/2" drive 10 mm socket (thanks, BLT4SPD!) as those bolts are on pretty tight. I only had a 3/8" drive on hand and, using a breaker bar in combination, felt like i was going to pop the head off the socket wrench. Fortunately, I had a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter and all went smoothly from there.

Other than that, PaulW's Audipages should be your bible. Literally, the most difficult parts were jacking up the car, putting the wheels back on (man, those things are heavy!), and cleaning up afterward. Actual pad and rotor replacement took ~7 min max per side. And, as always, having the correct tools makes life infinitely easier. Thanks everyone for all the tips from earlier! Again, this is for an '02 S8. Rear brakes to be done next week when I feel less lazy.

sack lunch

calipers. The very first time I did a brake job several years ago this did not occur to me and I believe I spent more time swearing than actually working. D'oh!

ricoblanco

When doing my rotors, I first tried using a swivel head socket wrench as per the audipages write-up. My caliper bolts were so tight I broke the wrench (!). I turned the wheels and used my torque wrench and got them off that way. Definitely more accessible that way.

PaulW

For sure, takes longer to put wheels on/off than changing pads on Brembo's