Help - fitting new discs and pads tomorrow!!!

[tacoma]

What was i thinking of!!!

I have ordered the discs and pads as recommended by so many fo you, the braided hoses also arrived today.

How difficult a job is it to fit new dics and pads?
Is it covered in 'the bible'?
Do I need any special tools?
How much time should i allow?

what about swopping the hoses, should this be left to a garage?
Same questions as above!!

thanks

mike

[zippee]

Mike,
I'm glad you posted this - beat me to a similar post by a matter of minutes. I'm also fitting mine tomorrow, by myself as well as my mate who was due to help has had to pull out.
The bible covers it but not in great detail so I think its going to be a bit trial and error.
The front pistons I believe can just be pushed back into place, but the rears require a special tool to screw them back in. This is available from Halfords etc as its a standard Ford tool.

Best of luck anyway, we'll have to compare notes once done.
Tony

[tacoma]

Thanks Tony,

I have emailed you, through your profile, with my phone numbers should you need them tomorrow.

I am only doing the front discs and pads though. Haven't decided if I am up to the task of replacing the hoses as this would require draining the system and refilling.

What do you (and others) think, can it be done 'at home'?

mike

[puffsorted]

Its really easy to do. The only special tool you may need (or at least it makes it easier) is the piston return tool (its shown in the bible) You should be able to pick one up for a motor store for around £20 (Halfrauds do them) - it makes the job so much easier as there is a lot less chance of damaging the piston seals.

Once jacked up it takes about 15 mins a corner. The first may take a little longer as you figure it out.

You will need something to rest the calipers on while you change the discs (these will probably need a small tap with a soft nosed hammer to get off) - i used an upturned bucket as it was the perfect height.

Once you have done it you will not believe how easy it is.

>> Edited by puffsorted on Friday 20th May 11:20

[spend]

The concept of a 'brake upgrade' without renewing the brake fluid is a little strange.

Just Do It.......

Squirt all the joints with WD40 the night before. Get a couple of litres of DOT 5.1.

If you dont have them, a brake wind back tool is needed for the rear calipers & I think most people use an Easibleed kit for bleeding the brakes (& clutch).

Dave

[zippee]

Hi Mike,
Thanks for that. I'll reply with my numbers when I get home tonight.
I'm starting off with the fronts tomorrow and if I feel brave enough will attempt the rears - I'm buying the tool in the morning.
I'm not brave enough to attempt the hoses so if I ever did decide to change these it would be the garage for me.
Mr rear calipers are binding a little and thats what makes me nervous in that the sliders need taking out and re-greasing so I may leave those until I can get a little more help.
Tony

[GreenV8S]

Brake cleaner to clean the areas where the pads rest, and clean and regrease the sliders as a matter of course if you're taking the calipers off the upright (you only need to do this if you're changing the discs).

[shpub]

zippee said:

Mike, The bible covers it but not in great detail so I think its going to be a bit trial and error.

Haven't you got the second edition yet? That has about 25 pages on the topic including the how to fit the wrong pads and not realise it....

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[zippee]

shpub said:

zippee said: Mike, The bible covers it but not in great detail so I think its going to be a bit trial and error. Haven't you got the second edition yet? That has about 25 pages on the topic including the how to fit the wrong pads and not realise it.... Steve www.tvrbooks.co.uk

Steve,
I have got your 2nd edition but I'm used to the step by step idiot guide provided by Haynes so yours isn't quite the detail I'm used to.
I will however, be studying the relevant pages in detail before attempting it tomorrow. I am unfortunately a bit of a numpty in the technical department but should be able to get by with your guide.
Cheers
Tony

[tacoma]

Wow,

this is just what i was hoping for a good solid base of replies to would both inform and encourage. Thanks.

Yes Steve, I have the second edition and always keep it in the car and read thoroughly before atempting anything.

Right, i'm off to Halfords on the way home to get a roll back took or what ever its called, 2 litres of Dot5.1, the brake kit thingy and pray to the god of good weather in preparation to laying in my driveway for a while tomorrow.

Just to check, bleeding the brakes is definitely easy yeah?!?

mike

[parrot of doom]

<apprentice mode>

Isn't it just a case of opening all the pipes at the calipers, and continually pumping the brake pedal?

</apprentice mode>

[chimleic]

I'll be doing the same in the near future (with Black Diamond disks as per Zippee's recommendation).

From what I've read so far, my shopping list needs to be:

1. 4 x Black Diamond 'Predator' Pads (approx £60).
2. 2x Black Diamond Drilled/Grooved Vented 272mm Rear Pads (approx £100).
3. 2x Black Diamond Drilled/Grooved Vented 260mm Front Pads (approx £120).
4. Dot 5.1 Brake Fluid (how much do I need?)(cost?)
5. Piston Retraction Thingy (approx £20)
6. Brake Re-winder Thingy (cost?)(supplier?)

Anything I'm missing from that list?

Looking forward to hearing how you guys get on. Please keep us informed.

Cheers,
Andy

[GreenV8S]

5 and 6 are the same thing.

[tacoma]

GreenV8S said:

5 and 6 are the same thing.

Do you mean the same thingy?

I love being a mechanical pigmy!!

[zippee]

GreenV8S said:

Brake cleaner to clean the areas where the pads rest, and clean and regrease the sliders as a matter of course if you're taking the calipers off the upright (you only need to do this if you're changing the discs).

Any tips on how to remove the sliders for cleaning?
I've never had to do this so is it a simple job?
A step by step idiot guide would be much appreciated.

[chris43]

zippee said:

GreenV8S said: Brake cleaner to clean the areas where the pads rest, and clean and regrease the sliders as a matter of course if you're taking the calipers off the upright (you only need to do this if you're changing the discs). Any tips on how to remove the sliders for cleaning? I've never had to do this so is it a simple job? A step by step idiot guide would be much appreciated.

Once you've done and it all works how about posting the definative 'idiots guide' for carrying this out??
Any way good luck!

[GreenV8S]

zippee said:

Any tips on how to remove the sliders for cleaning?

The sliders are the bits covered by rubber gators. If you pull the two parts they will just slide apart, the only thing holding them together is dried grease in the slider and those rubber gators. It's obvious once you have the bits in front of you.

[raceboy]

zippee said:

I'm used to the step by step idiot guide provided by Haynes so yours isn't quite the detail I'm used to.

Well how about popping down the library and getting out the Haynes manual for a Ford Sierra you might find there are a few similarities

[chimleic]

I also fancy painting the calipers. What is involved with cleaning and painting them (apologies if this is a stupid question!)?

I'm guessing that the calipers can be cleaned whilst still on the car and that you can buy "Brake Cleaner" solution at Halfrauds?

Also, is there specialist Caliper paint? I'm guessing it needs to be very heat resistant. Again, is a common item, to be found at the likes of Halfrauds?

Any hints and tips from the experts much appreciated!

[raceboy]

Paint...
Depends how fancy you want it.....
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Or just give them a good wire brushing, a degrease, and paint with your choosen colour from the smoothrite range