How-to: Change Brake Pads
#262
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I need to change my rears. Last time I had my car up, I couldn't remove the bolts from the rear calipers. They're difficult to take off because you've got your camber rod in the way. Any suggestions?
#265
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Just changed the pads myself. Took 3 hours total since I had one stuck bolt.
Over all this was super easy.
My brake pads looked like they had more the 75% of the padding left when I compared to the Hawk pads I got. It was no wear close to the wear indicator. The reason I changed it was that when I was getting my oil changed the stupid tech said I had less then 5% left on my brakes and wanted me to change it right now. Total cost would be $450! I told him I would come back but never did. Saved myself $300.
Over all this was super easy.
My brake pads looked like they had more the 75% of the padding left when I compared to the Hawk pads I got. It was no wear close to the wear indicator. The reason I changed it was that when I was getting my oil changed the stupid tech said I had less then 5% left on my brakes and wanted me to change it right now. Total cost would be $450! I told him I would come back but never did. Saved myself $300.
Last edited by LVZ053; 06-12-2010 at 12:01 PM.
#266
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Just coming back from the dealership. I asked them about replacing the pads since I'm going to my first track event soon. They said that you shoudn't just replace the pads without working on the rotors. He said they had to be polished and "worked on" or whatever. Is he full of sh** or is he right and you really shouldn't just change the pads without touching anything else.
I was thinking of putting Hawk HP+ for the track event and changing back to OM after. I have the OEM rotors on
Thanks for info
I was thinking of putting Hawk HP+ for the track event and changing back to OM after. I have the OEM rotors on
Thanks for info
#267
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I believe you have to change your rotors only when it is too thin, uneven wear, or if there is any damage to them. From what I have researched it is new rotors every brake pad changes if you don't meet the criteria above but there are plenty of factors that can change this. I left my oem rotors and was going to change them the next time I do my brakes. It was only 2 extra bolts to get them off.
Last edited by LVZ053; 06-12-2010 at 12:01 PM.
#268
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I replaced my front pads like 2 weeks before getting the rear pads.
And the rear pads go out way before the front now. I just had to change them yesterday.
#269
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Hi guys, im going to change my brake pads soon (31k atm) and have a question:
I heard that a thin layer of rotors have to be removed so it won't wear out the new brake pads. How do i go about doing that?
Also, what size c-clamps should i buy?
I heard that a thin layer of rotors have to be removed so it won't wear out the new brake pads. How do i go about doing that?
Also, what size c-clamps should i buy?
Last edited by Shawz1102; 12-14-2010 at 09:48 AM.
#270
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What I did was maybe wasteful, but I just changed all 4 rotors at 35k miles. 2 years later my pads aren't even halfway so I'm glad I changed to new rotors. Machining the rotor may cost almost as much as new rotors, plus the time and effort to bring them to a shop and back. If I was intent on reusing my rotors I'd at least sand them down. If are using the exact same pad compound maybe you could get away with just changing the pads and leaving the rotors as is.
#271
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wow there's a lot to it than a simple brake change...
how long do rotors last? i mean, how do i know when it's time to replace the rotors?
i plan to use the identical OEM brake pads..
how many of you just replaced the pad without turning your rotors? and how's it holding up till this day?
how long do rotors last? i mean, how do i know when it's time to replace the rotors?
i plan to use the identical OEM brake pads..
how many of you just replaced the pad without turning your rotors? and how's it holding up till this day?
#272
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wow there's a lot to it than a simple brake change...
how long do rotors last? i mean, how do i know when it's time to replace the rotors?
i plan to use the identical OEM brake pads..
how many of you just replaced the pad without turning your rotors? and how's it holding up till this day?
how long do rotors last? i mean, how do i know when it's time to replace the rotors?
i plan to use the identical OEM brake pads..
how many of you just replaced the pad without turning your rotors? and how's it holding up till this day?
http://www.amazon.com/Central-Tools-.../dp/B000P6UOJQ
#273
This will: 1) Remove the old pad transfer layer, 2) Removes surface irregularities that are often a prime source of noise complaints, and 3) Leaves a circular-style cross-hatch pattern that helps with breaking in the new pads.
If you don't want to order one of those, use Scotch-Brite and a ton of elbow grease. Do NOT use sandpaper as it is impossible to keep the surface of the rotor flat when removing iron by hand. Neither the Flex-Hone nor Scotch-Brite remove iron.
Chris
Last edited by Chris_B; 12-15-2010 at 09:23 AM.
#274
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i can't tell if my rotors needs replacing just by touching it or visual inspection?
My car has about 31k, never tracked but about 2 times spirited canyon runs... Otherwise, i use my brake very conservatively... Half city half highway miles.
My car has about 31k, never tracked but about 2 times spirited canyon runs... Otherwise, i use my brake very conservatively... Half city half highway miles.
#275
Chris
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Chris
#279
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14) Transfer the small metal plates on the old pads to the new ones. Put a small layer of high temperature grease between the pad the shim, then between the 2 shims on the back pad (the one the caliper contacts. The larger shim goes on the inside, with the smaller shim going over it, as seen in the picture/step above As best as I can determine, these are for pads that don't have the wear tabs built into them. I'd recommend installing them since the Hawk HPS pads don't have the tabs on one of the pads on each side. Turns out these do have a function. They protect the face of the caliper piston and keep the pad backing from scoring the piston face.
Also, when i use brake cleaner, is there anything i can't touch the braker cleaner with? I plan to use brake cleaner on caliper, piston, and rotors. As far as i know, the only thing i can't touch with the brake cleaners is the brake pads right?
Here's a picture of front and rear brakes. Is that metal backing plate on the rear brakes the shims?
Last edited by xthejokerx; 12-19-2010 at 07:27 PM.