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broncosi
10-23-2007, 02:26 PM
I know most of you may easily know how to do this. But I was looking on here on a step-by-step process to follow and couldn't find one. Soo i decided i would post one for anyone who hasn't replaced their pads themselves before. Kind of an "idiot's guide" if you will.


Its actually really easy and quick, and doing it yourself will save you money from paying a shop to do it. So here goes my second write-up.


Replacing Brake Pads

Est. Project time: 1 hour 15 minutes(for both sides done)

Tools/items You'll Need:

- Set of new brake pads(can find at any local auto store)
- Floor Jack
- Tire Wrench
- Ratchet with 14mm socket or 14mm wrench
- Hammer
- C-Clamp

Project note: I suggest only doing one at a time so if you forget how something is you can look at the other side.

Step 1:

Start by jacking the car up and taking your tire off. Keep all your lug nuts together. Put the tire to the side.

Step 2:

On the back of the calipers you will find 2 bolts, one at the top and one at the bottom. DO NOT touch the one in the middle, that is the one connected to your brake lines.

You want to loosen and remove these 2 bolts, they are relatively short and easy to remove once you get them loose. I put the 14mm wrench on the bolt and used a hammer to tap them loose.

Step 3:

Remove caliper, and rest it somewhere so theres no pressure pulling down on the brake line. The pads should still be sitting on the disc, and all you have to do is pull them off.

Step 4:

Put new pads in place of old ones making sure they are facing the right direction and right side up(exactly like the old ones were)

Step 5:

Use c-clamp to push the piston back in on the caliper. The piston is what puts pressure on the the pads when you brake. This should compress fairly easily.

Step 6:

Place caliper back over pads and line up bolt holes and place bolts back in and screw them in tight. I used the hammer again to tap them back to the same tightness from when i removed them.

Step 7:

Pump the brakes a few times to make the piston come back out and put pressure on pads which will tighten up the entire caliper assembly. I normally use this time to clean my calipers as well before i replace my wheels due to my calipers being painted red.

Step 8:

Replace wheel and tighten lug nuts. Its a good idea to stop by a tire store somewhere and have them tighten your lugs with a click torque ratchet to ensure correct tightness.

And your done!

New brake pads installed for free.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments and id be happy to help you out.

Prelude13
10-23-2007, 08:25 PM
Excellent writeup!

If anyone needs visuals, make sure you download the online manual found in each generation forum, in the resource guides(sticky).

A few things i can add to this great writeup are:

1)Pick up a can of brake cleaner and spray down the rotor and caliper before installing the new pad.
2)Pick up 2 small packets of anti-squeal grease and lubricate the back of each pad before they are installed to the calipers
3)The rear calipers do not need a C-Clamp. They need pliers and you turn them instead of pushing in the piston.


(The middle bolt is the brake line itself, DO NOT remove) You want to remove the top and/or bottom as in step 2.
http://mustardcat.brinkster.net/p3g/Suspension/DIYbrakes/remove/Image1.jpg


Step 5 visual:
http://mustardcat.brinkster.net/p3g/Suspension/DIYbrakes/front/Dcp02391.jpg

Photos taken from prelude3g.com, DIY brake install (http://mustardcat.brinkster.net/p3g/Suspension/DIYbrakes/diybrakes.htm)

broncosi
10-23-2007, 08:32 PM
awesome thank you!

Pooponurhead
10-24-2007, 02:49 PM
BTW, anyone know of any good pads..."good" meaning, better than stock? Would the Carbon Metallic ones be decent...I want stopping power, but not a lot of dust. Tryin to keep my Wims clean.

Si Speed
10-24-2007, 04:09 PM
Rep fur j00!

Prelude13
10-24-2007, 04:53 PM
BTW, anyone know of any good pads..."good" meaning, better than stock? Would the Carbon Metallic ones be decent...I want stopping power, but not a lot of dust. Tryin to keep my Wims clean.

Hawk pads are pretty good...

H22A BB6
02-18-2008, 11:01 PM
are the spoon pads good

mnludedude
02-20-2008, 09:06 PM
Instead of using the c-clamp straight on the caliper, put one of the old brake pads on there and compress it with that. That way you won't damage the piston and it gets compressed nice and flush.

broncosi
05-08-2008, 01:56 PM
and i just had to look at my own write up as i bought crappy pads so ill be replacing mine again today!

importsnrice
05-10-2008, 05:32 PM
Hawk and Cobalt pads are pretty good. Also, make sure to put some brake quiet on your shims sop they wont squeal. And it would also be a good idea to lubricate the guide pins and the slides.