Alright, well I've got to install new pads before I go to the dragon next week. Problem is, they wont be here until Tuesday due to the holiday, and I leave at 5:30am Wednesday. Now I've changed brake pads before on other cars, and it's a pretty straightforward process, but I just want to make sure I have all my bases covered:

Am I going to run into any problems with just a decent socket set and an impact wrench in my toolbox?
Do I need shims, spacers, brackets, lube of any sort?
Has anyone else run into any complications doing this?

Any help would be appreciated, as I don't want any delays in leaving for NC next week...better yet, I dont want to find out I didn't install the pads correctly while I'm flying towards an ungaurded cliff at some ludicrous speed. They are Hawk HPS btw, both front and rear sets.

I think this might help you out, since I have not had to do a pad change on the 8 yet.

http://www.hi-impact.org/ryang/modify/modify.html

Look down towards the bottom there are DYI instructions for quite a few things. Great resource.

Have fun in the mountains!!

you will need a tool for the rears to rotate the piston back into the caliper

Fronts are REAL easy, loosen the bolts, but leave the top one in place - lift frontwards to free the pads, you might need to push the piston back in a little (just use two thumbs) slide the new ones in and bolt up.

But stuck is what you'll be without one of these little beauties to "screw" the rear piston back in......

S

No, use a needlenose pliars on the rear screws. You can hold the pliars open about 1" and put the ends in the slots and rotate the screws. They turn pretty easily, so its not bad at all.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=68073&highlight=diy+brake

i have a caliper compressor..so i should be cool there. thanks the help guys!

....caliper compressor WILL NOT work, you need the little tool above. (or, as suggested, you can ruin a perfectly good set of needlenose pliers, too :rolleyes: )

S

Fronts are REAL easy, loosen the bolts, but leave the top one in place - lift frontwards to free the pads, you might need to push the piston back in a little (just use two thumbs) slide the new ones in and bolt up.

But stuck is what you'll be without one of these little beauties to "screw" the rear piston back in......

S

Yep, I bought one of those

....caliper compressor WILL NOT work, you need the little tool above. (or, as suggested, you can ruin a perfectly good set of needlenose pliers, too :rolleyes: )

S

Just stop by autozone and get the tool, I think its like $16(Or its $7) but its less than $ 20 for sure. It makes life so much easier. You will need a 3/8" extender that is greater than 6" to use it.

When I did one caliper with the needlenose I ended up making dents in the soft metal of the caliper. Now my rx8 is sad
:(

yea..i have bad luck with pointy metal things

ill get the tool..i didnt know it was readily available

good info thanks. I have 23000miles, 5 track days and one autocross on mine so i figue i better change them before i go to the track again in 3 wks!
olddragger

i got the snapon one for $14

i cant seem to find the tool on the AZ website...does anyone have part number?

just goto the store in real life, its there.

alright, ill go by there tomorrow. thanks

good info thanks. I have 23000miles, 5 track days and one autocross on mine so i figue i better change them before i go to the track again in 3 wks!
olddragger


How in the hell do you get 5 track days out of your brakes? ?

Are you sure you use them? I'm lucky to get two with racing pads.

Yep, i use them. Just ask the guys! All track days so far where at Road Atlanta and it has some fast straights that you go from approx 125 down to 50-60. One thing is you have to do is let the brakes cool. AT RA there are places that can be done. It is also better to late brake so the time the pads are actually on the rotors is diminished therefore giving them more time to cool. Heat does affect wear.
RA is also a track that you can use 3nd gear a lot so the engine can be used to slow the car some. Really on RA for me there are only 3 turns that the brakes have to be used hard for any big drop in speed. Turn 6, turn 10 (oh my god!) and turn 1. The rest are not that hard on the brakes.
However for the upcoming event of 2 track days at Roebling I have ordered some carbotechs panters for the front and bobcats for the back. Been communicating with DPE (by the way a really great vendor, very helpful with their experience on the track with the 8 and unbelieveable service---- seriously) and I am going with their recommendations. I will swap out the fronts for some bobcats for street use.
olddragger

interesting, my pads have been good for more than 2 track days as well running at Road America.

Oh yea Razz, racing pads wear faster than oem
od

does anyone have part number?

I was curious.

Disc Brake Piston Tool (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00946344000&tab=del#tab)

Sears part #00946344000

^thats it

yea i just went to the tools section at autozone, and it was right there. thanks for postin the picture, I probably never would have found it. its called a Disc Brake Piston Tool

:)

Basic tools a hammer and a c-clamp you will need these. I use the hammer to knock the pads into place and The c-clamp to push the piston back into the caliper. Should take you about 10 mins :)

yea i just went to the tools section at autozone, and it was right there. thanks for postin the picture, I probably never would have found it. its called a Disc Brake Piston Tool

C-clamp does the same job and more and might even be cheaper.

the rear is not the same setup as the front pistons...it has to be rotated back into the caliper.

i'm mad enough about us has 4 pistons, even if they arent in the engine! wankle brakes for life y0!

i sh1ift mad quik y0

the rear is not the same setup as the front pistons...it has to be rotated back into the caliper.

i'm mad enough about us has 4 pistons, even if they arent in the engine! wankle brakes for life y0!

Wait did you say that the rear pistons have to be rotated back into the caliper? they can't just be pushed in?

Wait did you say that the rear pistons have to be rotated back into the caliper? they can't just be pushed in?
Because of the parking brake they must be rotated back into the caliper.

Because of the parking brake they must be rotated back into the caliper.

Thanks I guess we learn somthing everyday. My car in truck just have to be pushed.

bleeding brakes sucks without a friend...all i gotta say


...everything else was cake. except for the part where i learned that the parking break engages the rear pistons, instead of a shoe setup as I was expecting...lol

Get a speed bleeder.

SpeedBleeders kick so much bootay!

yeah, but with that tool for the rears they are waaay easier