Just learned how to replace brakes

[Horus]

So, I wanted to learn how to do my brakes, because I'm rough on them. My uncle, who's been a mechanic for 50 years, who's visiting from California, offered to show me how.

I can't believe it's so easy.

Pop off tire
Compress brake cylinder
remove caliper
remove rotor clip
exchange rotor
swap out pads, put on new pads with grease and clips
put rotor clip and caliper back on
put wheel back on
pump brakes.

I've never done it before, and it tok me literally an hour to do, and 170 bucks in parts. Instead of 350+ to do it from a shop.

 

[Fritzo]

Yep...my father in law showed me some time ago and I was amazed at how easy it is. I'm also sure to go with the upgraded carbon fiber pads to avoid squeeking

 

[amdskip]

It can be easy, depends if a bolt is rusted too much or stuff breaks when you tear it apart. Good job though!

 

[DainBramaged]

One of the biggest things that Midas doesn't want you to know.

 

[Heisenberg]

Yeah, replacing pads on disc setups is pretty easy. Doing shoes on drums or things like calipers and wheel cylinders is harder.

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Yeah, replacing pads on disc setups is pretty easy. Doing shoes on drums or things like calipers and wheel cylinders is harder.

It is, but it's still doable. I've managed to replace my clutch with only a few internet guides and a bit of luck. A friend was there to check everything when I was done, also.

 

[0]

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Yeah, replacing pads on disc setups is pretty easy. Doing shoes on drums or things like calipers and wheel cylinders is harder.

It is, but it's still doable. I've managed to replace my clutch with only a few internet guides and a bit of luck. A friend was there to check everything when I was done, also.

Yeah, I didn't mean it was impossible. I just meant it requires a little more knowledge, and there's a bigger chance of FUBARing something if you're not careful.

 

[yhelothar]

I had mine done at the shop since I needed my rotors resurfaced.

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: Horus
So, I wanted to learn how to do my brakes, because I'm rough on them. My uncle, who's been a mechanic for 50 years, who's visiting from California, offered to show me how.

I can't believe it's so easy.

Pop off tire
Compress brake cylinder
remove caliper
remove rotor clip
exchange rotor
swap out pads, put on new pads with grease and clips
put rotor clip and caliper back on
put wheel back on
pump brakes.

I've never done it before, and it tok me literally an hour to do, and 170 bucks in parts. Instead of 350+ to do it from a shop.

$170 in parts?
Better be some nice aftermarket parts, or factory OEM.

Pads ~$40
Rotors ~$50

 

[Syringer]

ytmnd

 

[tfinch2]

Compress brake cylinder?

 

[DrPizza]

Where'd you go for the parts? Midas??
That's kinda steep for those parts; must be somewhat pricey rotors.

Oh, and virtualgames, you can usually have your rotors turned for $5 or $10 each. +pads = about $70 total. How much did you pay the shop to do the work?

 

[Horus]

Originally posted by: psteng19

Originally posted by: Horus
So, I wanted to learn how to do my brakes, because I'm rough on them. My uncle, who's been a mechanic for 50 years, who's visiting from California, offered to show me how.

I can't believe it's so easy.

Pop off tire
Compress brake cylinder
remove caliper
remove rotor clip
exchange rotor
swap out pads, put on new pads with grease and clips
put rotor clip and caliper back on
put wheel back on
pump brakes.

I've never done it before, and it tok me literally an hour to do, and 170 bucks in parts. Instead of 350+ to do it from a shop.

$170 in parts?
Better be some nice aftermarket parts, or factory OEM.

Pads ~$40
Rotors ~$50

Mind you, my prices are all Canadian. Nice Ceramic pads, brand new rotors. It was kinda fun installing them too.

 

[RichUK]

Very easy indeed.

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Compress brake cylinder?

Yeah that should be at the end. His order is kinda funny.

 

[biggestmuff]

what, no FAQ with pics?

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Compress brake cylinder?

Yeah that should be at the end. His order is kinda funny.

How are you going to get the brake pad off if you don't squeeze the brake cylinder? I always use a big C clamp with a hunk of wood to do this. His order is about right.

 

[everman]

Yep very easy, just not something you want to learn via trial and error

 

[V00DOO]

Yeah brakes is a easy DIY job and once you learn it you can apply the knowledge to almost every car. You may want to also learn how to bleed the brakes too.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: Sukhoi

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Compress brake cylinder?

Yeah that should be at the end. His order is kinda funny.

How are you going to get the brake pad off if you don't squeeze the brake cylinder? I always use a big C clamp with a hunk of wood to do this. His order is about right.

I take the pads off, then compress the caliper cylinder.

 

[GrammatonJP]

Would be great if you bleed the brake fluids and check torque specs also

 

[themusgrat]

I don't know about turning rotors, it is fine for 1 time at most. After that, they heat up quicker than they need too, and become unstable, too thin. But $50 for rotors? I didn't see anything that cheap, but maybe it is just the car.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: themusgrat
I don't know about turning rotors, it is fine for 1 time at most. After that, they heat up quicker than they need too, and become unstable, too thin. But $50 for rotors? I didn't see anything that cheap, but maybe it is just the car.

Rear rotors for my MR2 are $80+ from Toyota..$16 for the 'high-end' NAPA varient. :Q

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: Sukhoi

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Compress brake cylinder?

Yeah that should be at the end. His order is kinda funny.

How are you going to get the brake pad off if you don't squeeze the brake cylinder? I always use a big C clamp with a hunk of wood to do this. His order is about right.

? You have a weird vehicle then. When you car is just sitting there the brakes are in a neutral position. If the cylinder was putting any force on them, they would be contacting the rotor and you wouldn't be able to move the car. On my car I don't believe I have to take anything off other than the wheel to get the pads out. Just undo two clips and they slide out.

I take the pads off, then compress the caliper cylinder.

Exactly. You have to compress the cylinder so you can get the new, thicker pads in there.