Replacement of rear brake discs on ŠKODA Rapid: a complete guide with photos and videos

Rear brake discs Škoda Rapid A critical safety element that requires timely replacement when worn or damaged. Unlike the front discs, the rear discs often last longer, but their condition directly affects the effectiveness of braking, especially during emergency maneuvers. In this article, we will discuss when exactly replacement is needed, how to choose quality parts and step by step Do the work with your own hands - taking into account all the nuances of the design Rapid (including models with ESP and electronic hand-holder.

Average life of rear brake discs per Škoda Rapid amounts to 80–120 thousand kmBut this figure may be reduced to 50-60,000. km in aggressive driving or operating style in a city with frequent braking. The main signs of wear - vibration on the brake pedal, creaking or knocking during braking, and critical disk thickness less than 8–9 mm (for most modifications) Rapid minimum permissible thickness is indicated at the end of the disc). Ignoring these symptoms leads not only to a deterioration in brake properties, but also to damage to the caliper and hub.

Signs of wear on rear brake discs: when to change?

The first signal about the need for replacement is visual inspection. On the inner or outer surface of the disc may appear deep grooves, cracks or "burtic" at the edge (thickening due to uneven wear). If the disc is already deformed, when braking at a speed above 60 km / h, you will feel steering wheel beating Or body vibration. This is because a curved disc creates uneven pressure on the pads.

Other warning symptoms:

• 🔊 Creaking or grinding when braking (even after replacing the pads) - often caused by metal contact of the pad with a thinning disc.
• 🚗 Pulling the car to the side when pressing the brake pedal - may indicate uneven wear of the discs or jamming of the caliper.
• 🔥 Brake overheating after a short trip (the disc is hot to the touch) - a sign of friction due to deformation or corrosion.
• 📏 Disc thickness less than 10 mm (for Rapid with rear discs 256×10 mm - standard size.

Particular attention should be paid to cars with electronic parking brake (EPB). In such models, the wear of the discs can be accelerated due to automatic tightening of the pads during parking. If the indicator is on the dashboard BRAKE or EPBThis can be due to both system malfunction and critical wear of brake discs.

⚠️ Attention: On Škoda Rapid with EPB required after replacing disks electronic handbrake adaptation using a diagnostic scanner (for example, VCDS or OBDeleven). Without this procedure, the brake may not work properly or lock.

Which rear brake discs should I choose for the Škoda Rapid?

On Škoda Rapid (including restyled versions) there are two types of rear discs:

• 📌 Standard ventilated (size 256×10 mm5 bolt fastenings – for most modifications with engines 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TSI and 1.6 MPI.
• 📌 Continuous (unventilated) (size 232×9 mm) - on the basic versions with motors 1.2 MPI and 1.4 MPI.

When choosing spare parts, focus on original articles or proven analogues:

Manufacturer	Article	Disk type	Notes
Škoda (original)	6R0 615 601 B	Ventilated, 256×10 mm	For models with ESP and EPB
TRW	DF4836	Ventilated, 256×10 mm	High quality, often installed on assembly line
ATE	24.0120-0119.2	Solid, 232x9mm.	It is suitable for basic versions without ESP
Brembo	09.9699.11	Ventilated, 256×10 mm	Premium segment, improved cooling

When purchasing, pay attention to:

• 🔧 Availability of certificate (for example, ECE R90) - guarantee of compliance with safety standards.
• 🔍 Packing condition Original discs are supplied in branded boxes with a protective coating against corrosion.
• 📦 Completeness The sleeves must be in the sleeves (if they are not reusable).

⚠️ Attention: Do not buy discs with visible traces of rust or chips – even if they are “new”. Cheap analogues of low-quality cast iron can crack at the first intensive braking.

Tools and materials for replacement

For self-replacement of rear brake discs on Škoda Rapid you will need:

Jack and supports (or lift)

Balloon wrench

13, 15 and 17 mm sockets

Ratchet wrench or wrench

A sleeve-shaped screwdriver (to remove the caliper)

Hammer (rubber or copper)

Brake fluid DOT 4

Lubricant for caliper guides (Slipkote or analogues)

Torque wrench (optional, for precise tightening)

Scanner for adaptation EPB (If you have an electronic handbrake)

Additionally prepare:

• 🧴 Brake cleaner (for example, LIQUI MOLY Bremsen-Reiniger) to remove dirt and oil from discs and pads.
• 🔧 Metal brush - to clean the thread of bolts and hubs.
• 📱 Smartphone with camera - to photograph the location of parts before disassembly.

If your car electronic parking brake, before starting work necessarily:

1. Connect the diagnostic scanner.
2. Transfer the system to service mode (Service Mode).
3. Remove the voltage from the drive EPBOtherwise, the caliper won't open.

Without a scanner, disassemble the caliper with EPB It is almost impossible - you risk damaging the motor drive. In services for this service take ~ 500-1000 rubles.

What to do if you don't have a scanner?

If you don’t have access to diagnostic equipment, you can try to “cheat” the system:

1. Turn on the ignition, but do not start the engine.

2. Press and hold the brake pedal.

3. Press the electronic handbrake button 5-6 times in a row (with an interval of ~1 second).

4. If there's a message on the device EPB Service ModeThe caliper will open.

Attention: This method does not work on all versions Rapid And it can reset after the ignition is turned off!

Step-by-step instructions for replacing rear brake discs

Replacement process Škoda Rapid It takes about 2-3 hours (on both sides). The main thing is to follow the sequence and not rush. We start with preparation.

1. Jack up the car and take off the back wheel. Put the stops under the front wheels.
2. Clean the caliper and disc from dirt with a brush and brake cleaner.
3. Unscrew the caliper mount bolts (usually two bolts by 13 or 15 mm on the inside).

We then proceed according to the type of caliphate:

For models WITHOUT an electronic handbrake (EPB):

1. Remove the caliper and hang it on a wire (do not put pressure on the brake hose!).
2. Unscrew the screw of fixing the disc to the hub (it may be necessary to hit with a hammer through a wooden paddle).
3. Remove the old disk. If it is stuck, treat the joint WD-40 And gently tap the edge.
4. Install a new disk, secure it with a screw and collect everything in reverse order.

For models with electronic handbrake (EPB):

1. After removing the wheel, connect the scanner and activate Service Mode.
2. Unscrew the caliper bolts and remove it without disconnecting the brake hose.
3. Turn the guiding fingers of the pad (a hexagon 7 mm is required).
4. Remove the pads and squeeze the caliper piston. manually (Do not use sliding passages - the risk of damage to the thread!)
5. Dismant the old disk and install a new one, having previously cleaned the hub.
6. After assembly, run adaptation EPB through a scanner.

When installing a new disk:

• 🔩 Tighten the calipers bolts with effort 30–35 Nm (for Rapid with EPB — 40 N·m).
• 🧴 Apply grease-layer The back of the pads and the back of the calipers (but not the working surface!).
• 🔧 Check the free running of the brake pedal after assembly.

⚠️ Attention: If after the replacement of the discs, the brake pedal became "soft" or increased the stroke, bleed the brake system. This is a sign of air getting into the circuit.

Common replacement mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners make mistakes that lead to creaking, vibrations or premature wear of new drives. Here are the most common:

• 🛠️ Uncleaned hub - if you do not remove rust from the landing plane, the new disk will be installed with a distortion, which will cause a beat.
• 🔧 Overtightened caliper bolts - leads to deformation of guides and jamming of pads.
• 🧴 Excessive lubrication on working surfaces - brake fluid corrodes rubber seals, and grease on the pads reduces the effectiveness of braking.
• 🔩 Ignoring adaptation EPB The electronic handbrake can spontaneously trigger or not hold the car.

Another typical problem is corrosion of caliper guides. If the fingers are not cleaned and not lubricated when replacing the discs, they will sour, and the pads will be pecked. This leads to uneven wear and overheating of the brakes. Use it. special high temperature grease (for example, Slipkote 220-R DBCbut not the usual Litol or Solid oil They cannot withstand heat above 180°C.

If, after replacing the disks, squeaking noise when braking, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔊 Low quality pads or discs (especially cheap analogues).
• 🔊 Lack of anti-squeak plates on the pads.
• 🔊 Dirt gets between the pad and the caliper.

To eliminate the squeak:

1. Remove the pads and apply anti-squeak paste on the back side (for example, ATE Plastilube).
2. Check the integrity of the springs and plates in the caliper.
3. If the squeaking does not go away, replace the pads with original or proven analogues (Textar, Ferodo).

Service replacement cost vs. do-it-yourself repair

Cost of replacing rear brake discs Škoda Rapid in service depends on the type of caliper and region:

Type of work	Cost (RUB)	Notes
Replacing disks (without EPB)	1 500–2 500	Excluding spare parts, only work
Replacing disks (with EPB)	2 500–4 000	Includes electronic handbrake adaptation
Replacing discs + pads	3 000–5 000	It is recommended to replace it as a set
Bleeding the brakes	1 000–1 500	Required if air enters

Self-replacement will only cost the cost of spare parts:

• 💰 Discs (pair) — from 3,000 (analogues) to 8,000 rubles. (original Škoda/ATE).
• 💰 Pads (set) — from 1,500 to 4,000 rubles.
• 💰 Lubricant and cleaner — ~500 rub.

Total: saving 2,000–5,000 rubles. compared to the service. However, if you do not have experience with the brake system or a diagnostic scanner for EPB, it is better to entrust the replacement to professionals - mistakes here are fraught with emergency situations.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing rear brake discs

Is it possible to change only one rear disc if the second one is still in good condition?

No, the disks are always changed a couple. Even if one disc is more worn, different thickness or condition of the surface will lead to uneven braking and the car pulling to the side. The exception is mechanical damage (crack, chip) on only one disk, but even in this case it is recommended to replace both.

Do I need to bleed the brakes after replacing rear discs?

Bleeding is only required if you have disconnected the brake hoses or if air has entered the system (for example, when replacing a caliper). If you only removed the caliper without disconnecting the hoses, and did not press the brake pedal with the disc removed, bleeding is not necessary. However, after replacing be sure to check the brake fluid level and top up if necessary.

How often should you check the thickness of your rear brake discs?

Recommended interval - every 20,000 km or once a year (before maintenance). For visual inspection, just remove the wheel and measure the thickness of the disk with a caliper. The critical thickness is indicated at the end of the disk (usually 8–9 mm for Rapid). Also pay attention to edge collar - if it exceeds 1 mm, the disc must be replaced.

What should I do if the brake pedal becomes soft after replacing the discs?

This is a sign air entering the brake system. It is necessary to bleed the brakes, starting with the wheel furthest from the master cylinder (at Rapid order: right rear → left rear → right front → left front). If the problem persists, check the tightness of the hoses and connections - there may be a brake fluid leak.

Is it possible to drive with a cracked rear brake disc?

Absolutely not. A crack in the disc is risk of its destruction under heavy braking. Even if the disc does not shatter into pieces, the crack impairs heat dissipation, which leads to overheating of the brake fluid and brake failure. If cracks (even microcracks) are detected, the disk must be immediate replacement.