Brakes

[kingjason]

i do them myself but i always have a little difficulty with having drum brakes on the rear! it's a pain sometimes

Drums are not bad with the right tools. I also take a picture of each side so I can put them back properly.

[scootro]

I hate drum brakes. Any comments I've made in this thread refer to 4 wheel disc.

My uncle is a master mechanic and he can flat-out fly thru with changing drum brake pads (he is fast)! I'm always amazed when I watch him work on a car of course he has been doing it for 40 plus years. Lol

It’s nice to be taught by the best!

[A+]

I just put new rotors on everytime. It is not that expensive and you lose no pedal. Oh and buy at least wagner brand pads or better or you will be sorry. You shouldnt have to bleed anything and do not add brake fluid until after you get it all back together if it needs it. Harbor freight sells caliper compressors for like 5 bucks and it is way better then a C clamp. C Clamps can get things at a bad angle and cause problems but if you use a little peice of wood or something to level it out you should be fine.

5 bux? Link? All I see is a $44 part

[txsr20de]

5 bux? Link? All I see is a $44 part

You'll be fine with the C clamp. If the rotors are high mileage or you have noticed any kind of pulsating in the pedal during braking, you should have them turned. Napa will turn them for like $5-10/per in under an hour.

Go on Youtube and look at some videos of brake replacement if you are totally clueless. You will be amazed at how easy it is once you do it.

[TENGRAM]

Just use a C-clamp along with the old pads to compress the caliper piston. If you really just want to use the magical piston compressor tool, borrow it from Autozone... you'll leave a deposit which they will refund when you return the tool.

You can do this job. It's really simple. My girlfriend has even done it.

[SC457A]

Drum brakes are easy with the right tools. Just do one side at a time so you can use the other side for reference, if you forget which spring goes where.

Disc's are usually very easy. Make sure and lube slide pins if it is equipped

[Tx Redneck]

WHy do yall compress the caliper off the vehicle? I use two sturdy flat head screwdrivers in between the old inner pad and the rotor and pry on it to compress the caliper. It works every time and is much quicker.

[JimD]

Another quick tip and SHOULD be step one. Open the hood and check the master cylinder res for fluid level. If its up to the top remove some before compressing those pistons or your will have a nice mess to clean up.....by some i mean a little, do not take it all out.