Change your own brakes?

[special--k]

Who changes there own brakes?

So i got my car 1 year ago, and when i picked it up the rear brakes were finished.

So i changed them, no big deal right? Arg.

Any ways, after struggleing with these brakes more then any other cars brakes i have ever changed i finally got them finished. Some of the Hurdles included...
1) Opening the caliper. (Seemed to be seased shut, i had to really (AND I MEAN REALLLLLLLY) force it open)
2) Compressing the cylinder. (Need to find a special tool)

And some other stuff... i dont remember now.

Anyways.

less then 20K/m (12427 MILES) i start hearing something from the rear brakes.

Sounds like the world is coming to an end. Grinding, and scratching...

I go look and what do i see... Rear, passanger side disk is all ****** up... there are lines and grouves 1/2 mm deep.

All other rotors(disks) look fine.

What could cause this? Could the Caliper not be pushing enough? I know the rear brakes are working... my hand brake works... Maybe only the driver side is working.

Thanks.

 

[Laser Blue]

IMHO its prolly not your brake work. I had this happen to my car (not the MSP). When I pulled the wheel off to inspect I found a bunch of rock with new asphalt coating. I guess I picked it up driving on a newly paved road. It scored my rotor badly; this may be what happened to you.

 

[Op4guy]

Yeah I know this is kind of a necro post but if it helps someone in the future it is worth it.

Brakes, especially rear brakes tend to collect a lot of crap. If you live in an area that gets snow you stand an even higher chance at messing up your brakes. Between snow getting packed in and turning to ice to road sand and salt. This will get into your system and under your pads and can wear hard lines into both and destroy them. Take the time every once in a while to use a little brake cleaner and clean them out.

On my Jeeps I pull the wheels and flush the brakes out with cleaner after every outing. You would be amazed at the stuff that comes out of there.

Also when compressing a brake piston I use a 5 or 6" C-clamp. They work very well for pushing the piston back in. Remember 2 things though: keep the E-brake off and just choke the wheels. Also unscrew and remove the brake fluid cap. If you leave it on it's like trying to push down a mountain...it ain't gonna happen.

 

[uwtriguy]

Has there been a post anywhere with a video or step by step instructions on the brake replacement process including rotors? I have searched and haven't found anything. Also, when you say brake fluid cap are you refering to the resivour under the hood?

Thanks as always!

 

[Outlawstar98]

To me its not hard to do the rear breaks on the MSP... I have dealt with MUCH harder..... (break wise) But its easy squeasy lemon peasy.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

How To: MP3/P5/MSP Front & rear Pad/Rotor Change (No 56K)

and yes the fluid cap is the reservior cap

Has there been a post anywhere with a video or step by step instructions on the brake replacement process including rotors? I have searched and haven't found anything. Also, when you say brake fluid cap are you refering to the resivour under the hood?

Thanks as always!

the above how to was updated to include the rear MSP pad change by some really awesome guy