DIY - Front Brakes - or any disk brakes

xPartyx · 09-28-2009, 07:40 AM

Hey everyone, I noticed in a few threads about brake pads/rotors that some of you were asking about/wanted a DIY on how to change your own brakes, so, here it is.
Enjoy

DISCLAIMER/WARNING:
This is written to be and is intended as informational tips.
This is not a 100% accurate or guaranteed foolproof guide.
This is how I do my own brakes.
Work on your own vehicle at your own risk.
If after reading through these tips, you do not feel comfortable doing the work yourself, please seek the help of a professional mechanic.
I can not be held accountable for your safety or vehicle.
I take no responsibility for the result of anyone following these tips.

With that out of the way. . . lets get to it.

Tools and Parts Needed:
17mm Wrench/socket - whichever you prefer
Brake/Parts cleaner
Old rags.
Flat head screwdriver.
new brake pads.
Clamp - C-clamp, L-clamp or other small/medium size clamping device.
(This will be used to push the brake piston back and it makes this job 100X easier if you have this tool)
Disk Brake Quiet - is optional but highly recommended.

Optional supplies are:
gloves.
grease - I didn't have to use it this time and forgot to cover where it may be needed - but it is no big deal.

Step 1:
Eat Burrito

Step 2:
Safely jack up car/remove wheel(s)
(I am assuming you can do this.
If you can not do this please stop reading now)

Step 3:
when working on the right/passenger side of the car, it is easier if you turn the steering wheel to the right. (turn to the left if you are working on the left)

Step 4:
look inside the brake pad window and make sure you actually need brakes

As this photo shows. . we need brakes!

Step 5:
Only two 17mm bolts need to be taken out to replace the brake pads (and rotors)
These next few images highlight those two bolts in green.
The highlighted red bolts do not need to be touched.
The red X is the brake fluid valve, this is for bleeding the brakes and you DO NOT need to touch that when only changing the brake pads.

Step 5 cont:
Using a 17mm socket or wrench, loosen the two bolts.
These bolts should be on there pretty tight and might take a bit of force to break them loose.

Steps 6 and 7:
Before completely removing the two bolts, hold the caliper with one hand to not let it fall and possibly crack/rip/break the soft brake lines.

Remove the two bolts and place the caliper on something (i used an extra jack but a stool or up-side-down bucket would work)
Do not let it just hang by the rubber brake lines!

Step 8:
Take off the rotors, (they just come right off the hub.)
measure them, have them turned, or replace them if need be. Check manufacture's specs for proper measurements.
(mine are fine so I just put them on the ground for now)

Step 9:
Use a screwdriver (or your fingers) to pop out the old brake pads.

Step 10:
Compare them to the new pads for fun, and to make sure you got the correct replacement parts.
(the little metal tab on the top left starts rubbing on the rotor and creates that squeeeeeling sound when your brakes get dangerously low.

Step 11:
Take the shims off the old pads and clean them.
Be sure to remember what side of the brake pads they came off.
(for some reason this set has 2 shims each, I'm not sure if that is normal or not but I put them back on the same way they came off.)

Step 12:
Find a scrap of newspaper, an old towel, or cardboard for this part, Disk Brake Quiet can get messy.
Put the shims from the old brake pads onto the new brake pads, with a light layer of Disk Brake Quiet between each piece.
Let them sit to dry.
(Disk Brake quiet is optional but it will keep these thin shims from rattling and squeaking.)

Step 13:
Use Brake/parts cleaner to clean the break dust off the caliper and rotor.

Step 14:
Use the clamp to push brake caliper piston back into the housing.
But Why?
Pushing on the brake pedal pushes brake fluid through the lines, pushing this piston against the back of the brake pad, pushing the pad against the rotor, stopping your vehicle.
As your brake pads wear down, this piston moves farther out to compensate for the brake pad wear. Without pushing the piston back into the housing, the new brake pads will be "too big" and the gap between them will not fit over the rotor.

Step 15:
Snap the new brake pads back into the caliper
(Make sure they are on the correct side, an easy way to be sure of this is to notice that on the shims, one of them will usually have a big O mark. . that one goes against the piston.)

Step 16:
Put your new,turned,old rotor back on the hub.
To keep it from moving while you put the caliper back on, snug it up with some lug nuts.

Step 17:
Guide the caliper and pads over the rotor, put the two 17mm bolts back in, and tighten it up.

Take the lug nuts off the caliper, Put your wheel back on, and you're done!
Repeat everything for the other side.

Old Vs New

simple right?. . .

sdsnybny · 09-28-2009, 08:58 AM

Great DIY the pics make it very clear!!!!!!

813_toaster · 09-28-2009, 09:05 AM

very nice and detailed write up ! this will help tons for those that maybe werent sure how to do and save them sum $$$

zax1stgxb · 09-28-2009, 10:21 AM

very detailed! nice write up.

dubeexb06 · 09-28-2009, 11:14 AM

THANK YOU. great picts. Now I see that I had the wrong bolts off on mine. I'm saving this one.

PCH · 09-28-2009, 11:46 AM

Great DIY write-up! Will help many for sure

PakanaHerruus · 09-28-2009, 01:20 PM

Nice write up. I put powerslots on my car, Out of every car I've ever done a brake job on. This car is by far the easiest.

Todd2die4 · 09-28-2009, 01:39 PM

Nice write up. Idk if it helps but I always unscrew the brake fluid cap off in the engine bay when resetting my pistons

xBtony · 09-28-2009, 02:32 PM

Wow..super great write up! Pics are awesome! Rep points fer u!

LDUB · 09-28-2009, 02:54 PM

where is that burrito from? i dont want to get this wrong

zax1stgxb · 09-28-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDUB

where is that burrito from? i dont want to get this wrong

lol! if you get chicken in your burrito you will get the brake job done 15% faster! jus a lil tip that i found helpful.

xPartyx · 09-28-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDUB

where is that burrito from? i dont want to get this wrong

haha, finally someone comments on the burrito!
It's from Alertos here in Fountain Valley and they are SOOOO goood!

but any burrito will do, however, I can not confirm that chicken will make the job faster

haha

AutoBoxx · 09-28-2009, 04:43 PM

Very Very Nice DIY!!!! Awesome Job Party, Next Time I'm out in Your Area Burritos are on Me.

SAKURA · 09-28-2009, 04:47 PM

detailed write up and pics!
good job!

btw guys, this a great time to paint yer caliper while changing out yer pads!

rep points coming yer way xPartyx!

LowOctane · 09-28-2009, 05:16 PM

thank you sir! that was a good write-up.

elusive_xb · 09-28-2009, 05:18 PM

^^^^I LOVE THIS DIY!!!!

i need brakes soon but ive had cold feet doing it.... no i think i can master it....

xPartyx · 09-28-2009, 06:04 PM

You are all very welcome.
I've learned a lot about my own car on here so I figured I would help everyone out.

Negatives about this DIY:
1. You will get dirty.
2. If you get everything taken apart and find out you have the wrong replacements. . .
(thats why I use dealer parts for stuff like this, can't always trust the computers at auto parts stores)

Positives for this DIY:
1. This is one of the easiest things you can do to your vehicle.
2. It is about 90% the same for anything with disk brakes.
3. It saves you a ton of money.
4. You feel good about yourself after working on your own vehicle.
5. You can always go back and redo step 1, at any time.

and SAKURA (give me rep points !?!!$%^#&UT@!!) is right.
Great time to paint those calipers.