disk brakes, when? (mm) Options

[claudio]

Let's say I bring my '99celica in to check if the brake pads are fine, and they tell you the width or how much of the brake is left, when is it time to get them changed? mm?

[claudio]

OK guys, someone out there must know when its time to change those brakes? I've read all yours posts, and there are definitely a lot more 6g members out there more mechanically inclined than myself.

I'd appreciate some information on disk brakes (how they work and when to replace them).

Thanks.

[bonzaisushi]

all i know about are disk brakes is that there spring loaded and changin the pads are a little more difficult thatn others. u ever hear that clanking sound from when u back up then go into drive? thats the sprin loadedness did they tell u how much is left?

[claudio]

Well I definitely am planning to get some 17" rims & Eibach Sportlines for my '99 GT sometime early spring. I was going to bring my car in and have a mechanic throw those springs, and rims on and align everything. I also planned to have them check my brakes to see how much is left. They'll probably will give me a number that tells me how much is left . . .if I'm low, than while they are under there, they can replace the brakes pads too.
I am just wondering what the number they're gonna tell me means (# = good, medium, low, or definitely need new brakes?). If I get a fair idea of what the number means, then at the time I can say, yeah go ahead and replace those pads. (I just don't want them to tell me I need new ones and pay for it, even though I do not need new ones.) How much do you think labor should cost for all this?

[bonzaisushi]

i know alignment is like 76 dollars here in kansas, i dont think brakes should be too much under 50? thats my guestimate

[Guest_Matthew_*]

There is a line on the pad that shows the minimum wear amount of the pad that is left. When you get to that line, it's time to change them.

[hostile43]

are you talking about you pads or disks. if you talking about your pads, then if they are as thick as a nickle then they have to go. your disk is about about 60mm thick the min.

[94blackst]

QUOTE

i dont think brakes should be too much under 50? thats my guestimate

actually the going price for front brakes starts at $89 and goes up from there.

hostile43 is right. the thickness of the nickel is as far as they should go, any more than that and you will start grinding.

[Nero]

You know when to change them when you start to hear a screeching sound when you brake. It means your pad is about down to 15% or something like that so you gotta change them within the next few months.

[claudio]

thanks everybody for the info.

[DavezXTC]

The front disc brakes are easy to change on the celica, i did mine earlier today and it only took about 10 minutes after the wheels were off. The caliper comes off with 2 bolts ( i think 11 mm but not positive, i had a 11mm/12mm wrench ) After thats done, pull the old pads off, they are held in by metal clips and slide out with just a little pulling. Replace them with the new pads. Compress the piston with a U clamp or some sort, whatever will fit around the back side of the caliper and the inside of the piston. Compress it until its flush with the rest of the caliper. Put the caliper back in its place and bolt it back down. Pump the brake pedal a few times before you drive it because the caliper pistons have to come back out to hold pressure against the pads. 15.99 at autozone. If you arent sure you are capable of doing it though dont try it yourself, sometimes its best to take it to a reputable shop just to know that you're brakes are replaced correctly.
-Dave

*edit* there are also 2 spring retainers that go across the inside of the caliper from each brake pad, I think they are there just to keep the pads off of the rotor when you arent braking, i never put mine back on since i changed my brakes last year *shrug*

This post has been edited by DavezXTC: Mar 7, 2003 - 7:48 PM