DIY: Newbie Brake Job (Pads and Rotors)
 

Hi all,

I did my first ever brake job this weekend, and thought I'd write up a DIY with pictures for it. This one is more step-by-step than the others, for the total beginner (that probably shouldn't be tackling this in the first place ha ha!)

Please share your feedback on what I've done.

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=...N2M2ZTc0&hl=en

Thanks

Informative noob is informative.

Might want to add brake fluid changing and bleeding also.

edit: There is a video on break in procedure for new pads and such if you search. Might want to put that link in or instructions.

Brake fluid changing and bleeding is still in the "too intimidating to consider" category for me ha ha! I had mine changed by the dealership two weeks ago as part of my 96,000km service.

So how bad is it that I don't have those rotor screws on one side anymore? The other side I have one in. That's all I was able to salvage.

The front rotor screws are mostly there for ease of factory assembly so I wouldn't be concerned. But you could always pick up another flat head machine screw at a hardware store. The rear rotors don't have any retention screws and are similarly help on 'only' by the lug nuts.

If you can change brake pads & rotors you can certainly bleed the brakes. Install Russell Speedbleeders and it's an even simpler one-person task.

The problem is that even drilling right through, the old screw's sides and treads are still seized into the hub holes on my passenger side. The only way to screw the rotor back on would probably be to replace the hub on that side. On the driver side I have one screw in and was able to salvage the other screw hole's tread, so I can get a second screw back on there.

You don't need those two screws, as Huey said; They're just there to hold everything in place while you assemble things. The lug nuts hold everything together after that.

Awesome, that's what I thought. Thanks guys!

Great write-up. I am going to replace my brakes soon. I have never replaced brakes on an 8 (just got mine) but have done it on another car.

What pads did you get, where did you get them. What are some of the best ones?

Bleeding Brakes is super easy a caveman can do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZpe5TBMjCQ

I guess even though this is over six years old, people are still looking at it, since it has almost 8000 views. That would make it worth commenting on.

Great write up and photos, but I noticed the op didn't open up the caliper to replace the pads, which is the easy way of doing it. Leave the bracket bolted in place. Remove the higher of the two 14mm bolts that hold the caliper to the bracket, and loosen the lower one. You can then pivot the caliper upside down, fully exposing the pads. After removing the pads you can remove the bracket if you want to take off the rotor.

(I wanted to post a photo, but I can't for some reason. Instead, here's a link to a photo of an Audi caliper in the process of being opened: http://gallery.quattroworld.com/d/21...iper_empty.jpg ) I hope it lasts.

Also, to get those front rotor phillips screws out, you can put a long pipe between two lugs and the other end on the ground, that'll keep the rotor from turning.

Of course the most convenient way is to have someone apply the brake. I had the elderly widow lady next door push on the pedal. She seemed to enjoy herself, and she gave me a cookie.

BTW, to clarify, what I'm referring to as the bracket is the thin, lower portion of the caliper assembly, sort of a U-shaped "cradle" kind of thing. What the OP refers to as brackets are actually called clips. Here's a link to a drawing of a bracket: http://workshop-manuals.com/vauxhall...stra-j-948.jpg The bracket is #3, the clips are #2.

That's drawing is of a Vauxhall, but they're all more or less the same, plus, this should come in really handy for all you Vauxhall enthusiasts out there.