Your Volkswagen Jetta is in desperate need of new rotors if your car shakes and shudders when you hit the brakes. Rotors don't need to be replaced often, but if they become warped or get too worn down, then it's time to swap them out for new. The process is the same across all model years and you can do the work yourself in your own garage.
Get some new rotors for your VW Jetta at your local auto parts store or order them online. Rotors are standard parts and finding new ones is a simple as placing an order. Replace all four at once, or at least the front or rear end pair at the same time to maintain even braking performance.
Jack up your VW Jetta using a jack and jack stands and be sure to block the wheels to keep your car from rolling while you work. Remove the lug nuts, tire and wheel assembly with a socket wrench.
Undo the caliper mounting bolts with a wrench or air ratchet and then slide the caliper off of the rotor. Use heavy mechanic's wire to hold the caliper and attached brake line out of the way while you work. Be careful not to allow the brake line to get disconnected from the caliper while you work.
Remove the rotor holding screws and then pull the old rotor off of the hub. Clean the area with a damp cloth and then position the new rotor onto the hub.
Tighten the rotor holding screws with a torque wrench or an air ratchet with an appropriate adapter to 35 inch lbs. (4 Nm). Mount the caliper and brake line back into place and then replace the caliper mounting bolts. Be sure to torque the caliper bolts with a torque wrench to factory specifications.
Put the wheel assembly and tire back together and then repeat this process for each additional rotor. Then lower your Volkswagen Jetta, tighten and torque the lug nuts and then road test your car to make sure that the rotors are working properly.
