replacing brake pads, recomendations Options

[Cormudgen]

hello,

my brake light came on and i'm thinking it is due to low brake pads. my breaks have been fading for aobut a month now so think it may very well be the problem. i have never replaced pads beor but assum it is unbolting olds and putttin on news. how hard of a job is it? what does it take about 15-20 min? also what recomendations do you have? i'm not lookin for performance pads-just ones that will stop me and not squeal? how much should i look to pay and should i just go get the avg ones from advnaced auto parts or look for a particular brand?

thanks

cormudgne

[Supersprynt]

Pretty easy - take off the tire, and then unbolt the caliper (2 bolts), i dont think you need to take the bolts out, just loosen them so that caliper slips off the rotor; and the pads will just come out, they're not bolted they just sit in there. If the screach plates are really worn and rusted, dont worry bout it cuz they're only there to reduce noise.

This post has been edited by Supersprynt: Aug 28, 2003 - 9:11 PM

[DoodieHead]

also, it's always better to machine the rotors if you have some deep grooves in them, there will most likely be some if you have never replaced your brake pads

[Junior]

one bolt out. swing up caliper, compress piston. clean up the clips. Anti-seize in the appropriate areas. pop in pads, change rotors. put back together. if you haven't done it before, watch someone else do it first. its pretty easy after you've seen it, don't try to figure it out yourself, your breaks will just squeal.

[3TST]

The important point here is to ensure that you COMPRESS the pistons BEFORE you remove the old pads.
WHY?
If you don't, then you're going to have fun when you try to put the caliper back especially when trying to fit the new pads over the disc.

Also, once you've installed the new pads, you'll need to pump the brake pedal a few times in order that everything settles into place.