i know its not bmw, but figured someone here would have some VW knowledge.

Is there a special way to do the rear brakes on a 2002 passat? cant seem to get the new pads in...as in not enough space. maybe the newer bmw's are similar?

On the MINI the rear pistons have to be rotated as they're compressed or they won't go back in. I just use a big C-clamp and make sure the clamp is lined up properly with the piston and go nice and easy. It's a big pita and takes a lot longer than the fronts, maybe this is your problem?

On the MINI the rear pistons have to be rotated as they're compressed or they won't go back in. I just use a big C-clamp and make sure the clamp is lined up properly with the piston and go nice and easy. It's a big pita and takes a lot longer than the fronts, maybe this is your problem?

make sure to put a brake pad over the piston then a c-clamp over the pad so you won't damage the piston

On the MINI the rear pistons have to be rotated as they're compressed or they won't go back in. I just use a big C-clamp and make sure the clamp is lined up properly with the piston and go nice and easy. It's a big pita and takes a lot longer than the fronts, maybe this is your problem?

hhmmm sounds like this could be it as it totally messed up the disk brake pad spreader. i'll give this a try tomorrow, but how do you rotate and compress them at the same time? is there some special tool needed?

Go to autozone or pep boys etc.. and they sell a brake caliper compressor. It's like $5-10 if that much. I use it when I replace the brakes on my car or my previous cars( Honda, BMW, Nissan). I can't see why this wouldn't work with your VW.

http://i3.ebayimg.com/02/i/07/ac/de/6d_2.JPG

thats the same thing that we have. according to kyle k. they have to be rotated while you are compressing them, so im guessing thats why the caliper compressor got messed up when we used it. gonna figure tomorow how to rotate and compress at the same time

Yep rotate and compress. Nicole's bug did that.

I bought the universal brake tool that allows you to rotate(couterclockwise) and push at the same time when I drove VWs. It works and it's cheap. It looks like a cube with protrusions on every side. Everyone sells them.
If you still need it PM me and we'll figure a way to get it to you. I drive to the airport every day.

yeah had to go to autozone and rent a piston retracion tool, but we got it done. before we rented that tool from autozone we also bought one of those universal brake tool you are taking about, but they still ended being too thick as they were hitting the calipers are you rotated them. but thanks for the offer though.