NormalSpeed From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (9 years 4 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 986 times:
Hey folks,
Recently, my left front brake has developed a little squeak. Naturally, I was thinking that the pads needed to be replaced. So, I took the car in to get it checked out.
Long story short: I spent three hours today sitting around in the tire/brakes/front end store waiting for them to tell me that they wanted $500 to fix stuff (pads and rotors) that wasn't broken. I have recently gotten into doing my own oil changes, and so now I'm wondering what it would take to fix my own brakes. Does it take a lot of skill? Is the cost of the equipment prohibitive? How about drum brakes? (I've got discs in the front and drums in the back)
LY744 From Canada, joined Feb 2001, 5536 posts, RR: 11 Reply 1, posted (9 years 4 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 956 times:
If replacing the pads (on disc brakes anyways) is all you need to do, then it shouldn't be a problem to do them on your own (a set costs about $25 Canadian). Assuming you have step-by-step instructions (like the ones that can be found in one of those nifty DIY car maintenance guides, they've got them for most cars out there), and a set of wrenches and some other basic tools, this can be accomplished within an hour or two. Nice to have an extra set of hands handing you the tools and what not.
Tom in NO From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 7194 posts, RR: 40 Reply 2, posted (9 years 4 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 950 times:
I recently laid out about $255 for a brake job (squeaky brakes on my Caravan) New pads, turn/machine the rotors, and clean and lube the calipers. I would imagine that putting new pads on wouldn't be too difficult, but the rotor and caliper work might be a bit more of a chore.
Tom at MSY
"The criminal ineptitude makes you furious"-Bruce Springsteen, after seeing firsthand the damage from Hurricane Katrina
FLYtoEGCC From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 947 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (9 years 4 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 939 times:
First of all, check whether anything needs to be done at all. I drive my dad's Ford Fiesta and noticed the front-right had developed a squeak. My dad said he'd noticed as well, and when he rang up the mechanic who sees to our cars, the guy told him that it was normal. My guess is that if we'd have taken it to a garage or repair centre, they'd have replaced the whole works and charged a small fortune for it. Can't remember what the reason was for the squealing, but ask someone you trust, and consult various manuals to check it out first.
And if you end up doing it by yourself, make sure you do it right!!
NormalSpeed From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (9 years 4 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 930 times:
Galaxy,
If you were up in Boston, I'd take you up on that.
Anyway, I didn't end up letting that garage do the work. I figured that $500 to fix stuff that isn't broken would be a bit irresponsible. So, the brakes are good for now, but they aren't going to last forever. I'm just wondering about next time.
Saintsman From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2002, 2065 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (9 years 4 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 929 times:
Squeaking brakes? try oiling them
Actually try cleaning them. Probably covered in dust.
I've always been amazed that you get places that just do brakes in the States. A garage like that wouldn't last five minutes if it just did that over here. Most places here do everything. The only specialist places do tyres and exhausts but even the big chains are doing everything. Mind you they are no different when they tell you everything needs fixing!
Illini_152 From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 1000 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (9 years 4 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 919 times:
Normal-
Hardest part I've found (with disk brakes anyway) is getting the darned caliper attachment bolts off. If you have couple of jackstands, and a service manual (Haynes does NOT count! Check e-bay, a lot turn up there) and a good breaker bar, should be cake.
LY744 From Canada, joined Feb 2001, 5536 posts, RR: 11 Reply 8, posted (9 years 4 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 917 times:
My understanding is that brake squeak usually comes from a piece of metal embedded in the brake pad that gets exposed once the pad is worn out to a certain extent. This produces the squeaking noise, intended to alert the driver of the impending need to get new pads. Correct me if I'm wrong here.
FLYtoEGCC From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 947 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (9 years 4 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 910 times:
Dust can cause it, as far as I understand it. Also, AFAIK it's possible sometimes to get a small stone wedged in somewhere, that can cause squeaking - but if it's been doing it a while, it's probably not the case. Usually, it does mean they need replacing, but it's wise to check first with someone you can trust - no point paying for something that doesn't need doing!
IMissPiedmont From United States of America, joined May 2001, 6203 posts, RR: 43 Reply 10, posted (9 years 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 897 times:
Disc brakes are so easy that any novice mechanic can do them. And the pads, calipers and rotors are fairly cheap, less than $100.00 for my truck for all.
And Tom in NO, just how old is that Caravan? It's very rare for any vehicle built in the last 4 or 5 years to have rotors that can be turned.
Oh. The hardest part of disc pad replacement is depressing the piston without getting air in the line.
Cleaning out the calipers? Oh boy, what a bill of BS that one is.
What is it with all the "is there a possibilty airline X will.." threads? The answer it'll is possible.
Vafi88 From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 3116 posts, RR: 19 Reply 11, posted (9 years 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 894 times:
It's pretty easy first of all.
500$ is WAAAY overpriced.
Getting the pads off and the other stuff is pretty simple, basically unscrewing a few bolts, then you have to depress the piston (watch the break fluid tank so it doesn't overflow by any chance), then what you do is put on new pads and replace the caliper.
That shouldn't cost you more than 30$ MAX, unless you're getting something like platinum diamond implanted pads or something like that...
The disks and the drums should be cleaned, but don't air spray that because it carries Asbestos in it, and you DON'T want that getting into your system.
Get a can of break cleaner and clean it with that. Unless your drum disks are REALLY thin, you don't need to replace them.
I'd like to elect a president that has a Higher IQ than a retarted ant.
Christian From Sweden, joined Oct 1999, 348 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (9 years 4 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 873 times:
If you gonna remove the drumbrakes, I have to tell you that ONLY remove one side at the time. You WILL forget how it was assembled. Take of the drums on each side, and after that only remove one side...
If you're lucky you can get the brakes pre-assembled from the factory. Very good indeed, but it's more expensive.
I'm a car mechanic so I do now this...
If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough
Fokker Lover From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (9 years 4 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 852 times:
Changing brakes is easy, IF you have the right DNA. Everybody knows that women are made up of XX, and men are made of XY chromosomes. What they don't tell you is there is also something called the XYM chromosome. That's a man with a mechanical gene. You might not think it's very important, but that one gene contains all schematics, blue prints, parts lists, wiring diagrams, and trouble shooting codes for every piece of equipment EVER invented. That's how we are able to take apart, repair, and put things back together without ever even once reading the instructions. The quickest way to tell if you have the gene right now is to look around your room for a nut or bolt. If you can automatically know without thinking that you need a 3/8" wrench, not a 7/16" to remove it, then you have the gene. If not, go ahead and write the check. Because that's what XY's do the best.
Doug_Or From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 3163 posts, RR: 4 Reply 16, posted (9 years 4 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 846 times:
disks are no prob. If you have any doubt in your mechanical abbilities, make sure you have a friend who can save yer a$$ before doing the drums. IMHO the drums are ususaly worth taking to the shop unless you have some spare time and really WANT to work on your car for fun.
Fokker Lover From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (9 years 4 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 830 times:
Funny you should ask that Christian.
The M gene also gives you the ability to know that a 1/2" wrench will fit a 12mm bolt in a pinch, or a 3/4" wrench is an exact match to a 19mm bolt (head size).
A 3/8" will fit a 10mm if you beat it really hard. The XYM gene is also the one that makes you want to spit, fart, laugh at the Three Stooges, pee outside, and blow things up. It also has a built in map and tracking device, so you never have to ask directions no matter how lost your wife thinks you are.
If an appliance or vehicle breaks down at your house, and you reach for a tool box instead of the telephone or checkbook, you most likely have the gene. What ever you do, don't get it confused with the XYD (dumb jock) gene. That one makes you memorize sports stats from a hundred years ago, and worry about the latest teams that have no affect on your life what so ever. It also makes you want to spit, fart, laugh at the Three Stooges, pee outside, and blow things up. The only thing is, they can't figure out how to actually make things blow up. That's how you tell the difference between the XYM and XYD genes. Both are similar to the XYN (Nascar) gene, but that's a whole new thread.
IMissPiedmont From United States of America, joined May 2001, 6203 posts, RR: 43 Reply 20, posted (9 years 4 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 799 times:
The special tool is called a 6 inch C-clamp. About $3.95 at Ace or Home Depot.
The trick is to open the bleed valve just enough to prevent air from entering, yet allow you to s-l-o-w-l-y depress the piston. Never depress the piston without doing so. If you know how to bleed brakes properly, or have a friend who does, take the bleed valve out and squeeze kile hell. It's easier and quicker.
Tom in NO. Yep, they can be turned.
PS: great advice on drums above. If you insist on trying, use a Polaroid or digital camera to take pictures of the opposing side, then reverse the picture when re-assembling. Better yet, spend $50.00 and let a pro do them. That way you get insurance if they fail.
What is it with all the "is there a possibilty airline X will.." threads? The answer it'll is possible.
FDXmech From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 3251 posts, RR: 38 Reply 21, posted (9 years 4 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 795 times:
LY744 is correct. Disc brakes, by design will squeak to alert the driver the brake pads need replacing.
But this wear squeak occurs when the brakes are NOT applied. In other words if the brakes squeak with your foot off the brake pedal but goes away with the brakes applied, they're worn.
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