Easy to change disc brakes?

[StageLeft]

This needs only be a real short thread! I need to have the front discs replaced on the sentra I think. Not sure if the rotors will need to be exchanged or just the pads. Probably both but I have the haynes and will see what it says, but in terms of difficulty how big a job is this? I have only standard tools but am not opposed to buying some other ones. I'll use the haynes to tell me how to do it but it never says if there is anything that's likely to make you go nuts - some tiny detail that takes 2 hours for a newbie to work around.

Thanks!

 

[spanky]

i've watched my cousin change my pads a few times and it looks simple enough. just be careful with the brake fluid hose. if too much air gets in... it's a pain in the arse to pump out the air.

 

[Electric Amish]

I've done both fronts in as little as 30-45min.

It's really easy. Usually just 2 bolts to remove the caliper.

Then, depending on the caliper either collapse it all the way with a C-clamp or it will have a screw mechanism to move the piston back (like my Probe)

Replace pads.

Replace caliper.

boom.

amish

 

[StageLeft]

Hmm, I'll give it a shot and probably spend about 8 hours doing it, but such is my experience with car repairs. I suck, but I learn

 

[CraigRT]

It's seriously not that hard... I don't think you even need a manual.
pull wheel off... look how it works, take apart to get pads out, put back together the way it came apart..
it's easier on some cars though.

 

[spanky]

amish, don't u have to pump the brakes a few times before u start driving too?

 

[Soybomb]

Spanky if you're getting air into the lines you're doing something wrong

Skoorb take a look at your fluid resivoir before you push the pistons back into the caliper, if its full suck some fluid out of the top with an old turky baster or something or have some rags/newspapers underneath it to catch the overflow.

Its really an easy job. You probably won't need to replace the rotors but you will want to take them to a machine shop/autozone/whatever to be turned.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: spankyOO7
amish, don't u have to pump the brakes a few times before u start driving too?

I've never done that *specifically*, but I always take it out for a test drive after they're done.

amish

 

[notfred]

Seriously, on the Civic it takes about 10 minutes per side to change the pads. Probably takes 15 minutes per side on the Mustang.

Changing the rotors takes an extra 15 minutes per side.

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: Soybomb
Spanky if you're getting air into the lines you're doing something wrong

dayam
everytime i got my pads changed, i have to pump the brakes like 3 or 4 times. and the pedal always hits the floor the first 2 times...

 

[Aves]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Hmm, I'll give it a shot and probably spend about 8 hours doing it, but such is my experience with car repairs. I suck, but I learn

Get MrsSkoorb to help, should get it done in under an hour that way.

 

[yakko]

Well if you are not replacing the rotor then you should at least have it turned. Depending on how the current pads wore they may be warped, which will wear the new pads more quickly, or they may have a groove and the new pads will ride on the lip created on the inside and outside edge of the braking surface thereby reducing your braking effectiveness.

 

[Budmantom]

One side at a time.

 

[Alistar7]

pull BOTH sides off, have your rotors turned so you don't prematurely wear your new pads. Compress each piston with a C-clamp, put the pads in and slide the caliper over the rotor and lock down. As long as you don't open the hydraulics you won't need to bleed them, and you only have to do that to REPLACE a CALIPER. This job can take all of 1 hour if you know what you are doing. You will probably need a hex or star wrench to remove the caliper, manual should be able to tell you exactly. I would recommend re-packing the bearings in new grease as well, worth the 5 bucks for a can of grease. Take a look at your caliper pins as well, if they are very rusted or worn replace those as well, the caliper slides on these to compress, worn ones will greatly reduce the life of all the brake parts, especially your caliper. It will lock up eventually, causing your pads to wear unevenly and damage your rotor.

You can do one side at a time, if you want to go get your rotors turned twice, but the still assembled side could help you as a visual aid, maybe take a pic or two before you start. Seriously though, this is not hard at all.

 

[Tom]

Is it necessary to remove the cap off the reservoir before compressing with the c-clamp ?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Dead Parrot Sketch
Is it necessary to remove the cap off the reservoir before compressing with the c-clamp ?

i would suggest it. That is, unless you want to have the cap pop off due to pressure and spray fluid all over the place. opening it up lets the pressure decrease slowly.

 

[Alistar7]

not unless you want a mess,lol. your caliper is sealed along with the rest of the system, compressing the caliper means it is in the same position as when you are not pressing on the brake pedal. Pushing the brake pedal EXPANDS the caliper pressing the pads against the rotor, releasing the pedal allows it to contract, you are just MANUALLY doing this with the c-clamp. Just leave everything sealed, nothing will leak and you should not lose any pressure when the new pads are on, there should be no need to bleed them.

YOU CANNOT COMPRESS THE CALIPER ANYMORE THAN THE CAR NORMALLY DOES, THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY "EXTRA" PRESSURE....

 

[StageLeft]

Thanks guys. I think I'll try it this weekend. I have heard recently a small grinding when braking at very low speeds rarely - like I've heard it twice when at a few mph which hints towards them being in bad shape. They have a LOT of miles on them.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Thanks guys. I think I'll try it this weekend. I have heard recently a small grinding when braking at very low speeds rarely - like I've heard it twice when at a few mph which hints towards them being in bad shape. They have a LOT of miles on them.

If it's grinding, you'l lhave to get the rotors replaced or at least turned.

 

[alm99]

can you replace or turn rotors your self or is this something a mechanic has to do?

 

YGPM

 

[Alistar7]

yes you can replace them, some cars they are fairly cheap ($15), but they need to be machined if you want to reuse them, most auto stores will turn them for 5 bucks a pop

 

[Chris A]

Originally posted by: Alistar7
pull BOTH sides off, have your rotors turned so you don't prematurely wear your new pads. Compress each piston with a C-clamp, put the pads in and slide the caliper over the rotor and lock down. As long as you don't open the hydraulics you won't need to bleed them, and you only have to do that to REPLACE a CALIPER. This job can take all of 1 hour if you know what you are doing. You will probably need a hex or star wrench to remove the caliper, manual should be able to tell you exactly. I would recommend re-packing the bearings in new grease as well, worth the 5 bucks for a can of grease. Take a look at your caliper pins as well, if they are very rusted or worn replace those as well, the caliper slides on these to compress, worn ones will greatly reduce the life of all the brake parts, especially your caliper. It will lock up eventually, causing your pads to wear unevenly and damage your rotor.

You can do one side at a time, if you want to go get your rotors turned twice, but the still assembled side could help you as a visual aid, maybe take a pic or two before you start. Seriously though, this is not hard at all.

If both calipers are taken off at the same time use care that when you are compressing one side the other is not popping out. Some brake systems can do this.

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: Alistar7
yes you can replace them, some cars they are fairly cheap ($15), but they need to be machined if you want to reuse them, most auto stores will turn them for 5 bucks a pop

so why not just buy new ones and put them on yourself, is it hard to do?

 

[vi edit]

Are these "C Clamps" you guys speak of something your can buy or rent for relatively cheap? I'm guessing they are something you can get from an autoparts store, correct?

I need to replace the pads on my Camry, but I'm scared to try. I've got the hanes manual and have no problems jacking up the car and working on it...just don't know of the specifics that need to be done to change the pads. I'd probably go ahead and replace the rotors while I was at it.