changing brakes

[rasczak]

I am not the most mechanically inclined guy here, as evidenced by the fact that I am still struggling with engine issues with my passat. there's a thread here somewhere but i won't bother to link it.

any way, I have started to hear the metal to metal grinding sound normally associated with brakes and wanted to know if they are easy to replace. I need to start doing these things myself as i just can't afford to go to a mechanic for these things anymore (expensive).

Car info:
98 acura integra rs (no rice )
146000+ miles

What things should I consider buying (pads, shoes, calipers?) What tools do i generally need? how long does it normally take?

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Joe

 

[Vette73]

If you hear metal to metal then you will need 1 set of brake pads and 2 new rotors. For the pads get the gold series from autozone or advance. Good mid level set. Rotors i usually get them from rockauto.com as they are the cheapest.


For tools you will need a socket set and maybe some wrenchs. Also might need some star bits and/or allen wrenchs.

best bet is to get a haynes manual from a parts store. Should have pics in there to help.

 

[rasczak]

thanks marlin! :thumbsup:

 

[BW86]

If you're changing pads - I'd say go for it. If you need to change shoes, I'd say bring it somewhere. Drums brakes are a bitch.

 

[nwfsnake]

That year Integra is pretty easy. One bolt and the caliper swings up. You may need a C clamp to push the piston back in, and you will want to remove some brake fluid from the master cylinder before starting. I can do mine in less than 30 minutes start to finish.
Rotors may be a little tough to remove, especially the screws that hold them on. Impact driver is a big help.

 

[Vette73]

^

yep forgot you need to compress the caliper. But they have a tool for that in the loan a tool program at Advance/Autozone. So you don;t need to buy it.

 

[alfa147x]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
^

yep forgot you need to compress the caliper. But they have a tool for that in the loan a tool program at Advance/Autozone. So you don;t need to buy it.

what is wrong with using a c-clamp ?

 

[StageLeft]

I compress my caliper with a c-clamp. Some rear brakes you need a very cheap little square socket thing so that they twist in instead of press in.

I've never changed drums, but discs are quite straight forward. You may or may not have a problem with certain bolts, but when you get your socket set, it's also worth buying a breaker bar, or just a very long bar so that you can get torque if necessary.

I recommend you do this, anyway, because it saves a lot of money and is a very useful skill for years to come. It may take a bit at the beginning but it is a task a newbie can bite off.

 

[BlackTigers]

I did my first brake job at 16 right after I started driving my mom's car. It was a bitch at first (drums are hell), and I've done probably ten since then.

I can do them really quick now, it's not that difficult, just make sure you pay attention to exactly how everything came apart.

I'd also make sure you have a friend within a phone call's reach in case you screw up.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: alfa147x

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
^

yep forgot you need to compress the caliper. But they have a tool for that in the loan a tool program at Advance/Autozone. So you don;t need to buy it.

what is wrong with using a c-clamp ?

Nothing but if you don;t own one and/or need to use one a lot then the rent a tool item will work better and not cost anything.

 

[ehhhh]

Should take no more than an hour for both side. No more than 20 mins once you've done a few. The first two tools here work well if you have F+R calipers
http://www.mytoolstore.com/kd/kdbrak07.html . You can probably get them locally for $5 each.

 

[SSSnail]

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2410788&page=1

Teh Google, knows everything.

 

[Black88GTA]

At the bare minimum, you will need (most likely) front pads. The rears may still be OK, since they wear much slower than fronts. Rotors may or may not be necessary - I have a bit of a gouge on the front rotors on my Prelude, and haven't noticed any difference or ill effects from it, but YMMV.

As has been said, disc brakes are really easy (especially if you only need to do the pads), drums are kind of a bitch.

 

[Mxylplyx]

If it has a screw holding the rotor on, you will not be able to get that off with a regular screw driver. If you dont have a powered impact driver already, and dont wish to cough up alot of money for something you might rarely use, get this. I have used it on both a Honda and Acura, and it works like a charm.