EBC Brakes
As we mentioned, the stock brakes needed attention and an EBC pad and rotor change has worked for us in the past. The swap is very straightforward and you'll find an outline here and online.
After fitting, the standard-sized brakes do feel a little more positive, particularly from high speed. However, it doesn't appear to be quite as radical as we'd hoped (we're not having much luck at present, such is the modifying process...) so we'll probably investigate new lines and fluid to see if that gives us a stiffer pedal.
| MANUFACTURER | PART | PRICE |
| Techtonics Tuning | cat-back exhaust | $680 |
| Euro Sport Accessories | cold-air intake | $179.95 |
| EBC | rotors and pads | $527.90 |
 1. Front After removing...  1. Front
After removing the spring clip from the front of the caliper, unclip the pad wear sensor |  2. Remove the two 7mm allen...  2. Remove the two 7mm allen bolts from the back of the caliper. When the caliper comes away, the pads can be removed. Rest the caliper to top of the hub so the brake lines don't become stretched. Undo the two 21mm bolts from the back of the caliper carrier and remove this piece. Then undo the torx 30 screw holding the rotor to the hub. You may then need to hit the rotor with a mallet to free it |  3. Screw the new 11.3" rotors...  3. Screw the new 11.3" rotors onto the hub with the original screw. The rotors are labeled L and R to ensure the grooves run in the correct direction. Then refit the caliper carrier |
 4. Either carefully using...  4. Either carefully using pliers or this special tool, push the piston back into the carrier so the new pads will fit. Then push the metal clip on one of the new front pads into the piston |  5. Place the second pad into...  5. Place the second pad into the caliper carrier as before and refit the caliper |  8. Refit the caliper carrier...  8. Refit the caliper carrier and slot the pads into position. You can then refit the caliper once you've wound back the piston to clear the new pads. You need a separate tool that turns and pushes the piston, which is very difficult to do with pliers. Bolt on the caliper and torque the front and rear to factory specs (see Mk5 service manual, Bentley Publishers, et 4/09) |
 6. The finished front brake...  6. The finished front brake assembly looks great and we're hoping it will offer better stopping power |  7. Rear The rear brakes...  7. Rear
The rear brakes follow exactly the same procedure as the front. However, you'll need 13 and 15mm open-ended wrenches to remove the caliper. Once the caliper is off, place it to one side and remove the pads from the carrier (you don't need to undo the e-brake cable). Now remove the caliper carrier using a 14mm 12-point star socket. Finally, unscrew the rotor and replace it with the 10.2" EBC disc |  9. The completed EBC rear...  9. The completed EBC rear brake assembly ready for its break-in period |
Check out this projects extended version when you click here.