Brake pads

[HBFS]

I've never really worked on a car before, but now I need some new front brake pads.

So my question is, should I:

Get them replaced by an autocentre/ dealer (If so cheap recomendations required.)
OR
Buy and fit them myself, probably at 1/4 of the price?

The car is due a service in 2.5k miles (Pad's won't wait till then though.) so will have a check soon anyway.
I've got a Mk2 Skoda Fabia vRS

Advice much appreciated.

[iva cosworth]

If you have never done any car work before,get a pro to fit brakes and then read

up and learn for next time.

I was a mechanic for 16 years and saw many disastrous diy efforts.

[BliarOut]

B) Slip a competent mate with a decent tool kit a tenner to help/do it for you

Cheap sockets and hex keys lead to rounded off bolts and a far more time consuming job than is necessary...

[E30M3SE]

Have a look at this and see if you think you have the capabilities to do the job competently,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPcyJb-b47c

if not pay someone to do it.

It's not a difficult job if you know what you're doing.

[HBFS]

This is my gut feeling.

My Skoda dealer will do it for £99 all in and I have a £50 voucher.
But a collegue of mine mentions that he had his front disks and pads replace for £65 all in at moto(r)save?

But I will read up for next time!

[P I Staker]

Changing pads is piss easy. If you have any practical skill at all I imagine the only hassle for you would be not having a caliper wind back tool.

[BliarOut]

P I Staker said:

Changing pads is piss easy. If you have any practical skill at all I imagine the only hassle for you would be not having a caliper wind back tool.

For the fronts?

[P I Staker]

BliarOut said:

or the fronts?

Skim read it and assumed he was doing the full set, my mistake.


It should be no bother then.

[iva cosworth]

P I Staker said:

Changing pads is piss easy to cock up

Editted for reality for a novice.

Ever seen copper grease on the friction surfaces ?.....Yep

Hammering pads into place ?..........Yep

Leaking caliper seals due to pushing piston in wrongly ?........Yep

[P I Staker]

iva cosworth said:

Editted for reality for a novice.

Ever seen copper grease on the friction surfaces ?.....Yep

Hammering pads into place ?..........Yep

Leaking caliper seals due to pushing piston in wrongly ?........Yep

I dunno, I'm a bit of an idiot and manage it but maybe I'm over estimating people.

[BliarOut]

iva cosworth said:

P I Staker said:

Changing pads is piss easy to cock up

Editted for reality for a novice.

Ever seen copper grease on the friction surfaces ?.....Yep

Hammering pads into place ?..........Yep

Leaking caliper seals due to pushing piston in wrongly ?........Yep

Rounded off everything due to poor quality tools.

[mcford]

Be careful if removing the pad carriers on the Fabia as the bolts can pull the threads. If they do, you'll be looking at a helicoil or new hub.

[AJB]

HBFS said:

My Skoda dealer will do it for £99 all in and I have a £50 voucher.
But a collegue of mine mentions that he had his front disks and pads replace for £65 all in at moto(r)save?

Bear in mind that the Skoda dealer will use genuine parts, which the other place won't. Non-genuine parts can be just as good, but they can also be rubbish. I had pads fitted by an MOT place once, and they squealed so badly that it was embarrassing to brake! Took it back, and they muttered about needing new disks. Bought decent pads, changed them again myself, no more squealing.

Do you have a mate who is competent with spanners? The best way to learn is to do it with someone. I've changed pads on a friend's car before, with him helping. And I learnt in the first place by helping my Dad.

[davepoth]

Either a mate who's competent with spanners, or go to a decent independent garage, and ask if you can watch so you can learn how to do it. I've never been to one who's had a problem with it when I've asked.