Brake Pad Replacement Help/Confession

"ViperGuy21" (viperguy21)
10/16/2014 at 22:49 • Filed to: Oppo Help, confessions, brake pads

A little backstory first: So my mom drove my car before I got it for a while, and is really harsh on the brakes and she made them start squealing. Now being the car guy I am, I know what that means, and I know how to check the pads. And mine are right on the border of incurring disc/rotor damage. (Here comes the confession) But I've never done any repairs on any cars because the rest of my family isn't into cars like we are and just have stuff fixed at shops. I was hoping for some advice/tips if you wouldn't mind?

-Best place to buy parts?

-What kind should I get?

-How long does it take?

-What's the best way to do it?

My car is a 2004 Acura TSX if that's any help. I really appreciate the help. I understand cars and all of the systems and all that, just have never had to/got to work on them and don't want to do a crappy job and mess up my baby.

Have some pure awesomeness for your time:

DISCUSSION (25)

deekster_caddy > ViperGuy21
10/16/2014 at 22:58

Disclaimer: I haven't worked on many Acuras.

Front brakes on most cars are relatively easy for pad replacement. You just unbolt the calipers, swing them out of the way and change the pads. But if you are doing rotors, every car is a little more different... most have a bracket that holds the caliper that needs to be removed, some have screws holding the rotors onto the hubs after that.

Get a book, you want to use a torque wrench when you put something this important back together.

Rear brakes are a different story. They are all different, and most are complicated by some kind of parking brake mechanism. Rear discs tend to have wonky parking brake mechanisms that can get confusing.

I say go for it! It's a great place to start learning.

ViperGuy21 > deekster_caddy
10/16/2014 at 23:03

Thanks for the reply first of all! Second why a torque wrench? And how crucial is it?

Clown Shoe Pilot > ViperGuy21
10/16/2014 at 23:04

Do you own tools? If you don't, it might be cheaper to go to a shop. However, if you're like me, "saving money" on repairs that also require the purchase of tools is always called for.

Get parts from the parts store. O'Reilly and NAPA are the ones I prefer. I'll use Autozone in a pinch.

If it's a daily driver/commute appliance, get the "nicer" pads at the parts store and call it good. No need to go all Hawk DTC track pad. Depending on the last time your rotors were changed (and how much PITA it is - Honda's done silly shit in the past but 2004 should be safe) you might wanna spring for a set of those too. You can probably get some Bosch replacement rotors in the right size at the parts store.

As for how long it takes - if you've never done it before it might take an hour per wheel. I can change pads and rotors in about 25 minutes/wheel, as long as it's not a mid 90's Honda Accord with their stupid captive rotor design on the front wheels.

The best way to do it is by the book. Don't have the book? Buy the book, then do the job by the book. If you don't want to buy the book, you can probably find scans of the factory service manual on the interwebz. Honda has really good manuals. They're often WAY better than the Haynes or Chilton books. However, Haynes and Chilton books will definitely get the job done.

Clown Shoe Pilot > ViperGuy21
10/16/2014 at 23:06

Proper torque is crucial. This is your brake system. You need to put it back together per the mfg specs, and the ONLY way to do that is with a torque wrench.

ViperGuy21 > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/16/2014 at 23:06

I've got tools, but I don't know if there are any special tools I need for this

deekster_caddy > ViperGuy21
10/16/2014 at 23:07

Clown shoe pilot is right. On brake calipers and brackets, you don't want to under or overtighten the bolts. If you don't have one, this is a good reason to buy one and add it to your toolbox.

deekster_caddy > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/16/2014 at 23:09

I'll just add - don't bother going to Autozone, even in a pinch. If you must, don't buy anything with "Duralast" on it. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's repeating a job because of crappy parts.

deekster_caddy > ViperGuy21
10/16/2014 at 23:10

The only thing you probably don't have is a way to compress the caliper piston. They make a special pad-with-screw thing for this purpose, but you can probably get away with some big channel locks and squeezing on one of the old pads to retract the piston.

Clown Shoe Pilot > ViperGuy21
10/16/2014 at 23:12

Depends on what you consider a special tool. Most brake jobs require combo wrenches, ratchet(s), flex handle(s), sockets in appropriate sizes, and a torque wrench. A decent sized dead blow hammer is sometimes called for during disassembly. Your job is made easier w/ a caliper spreader, but you can sub a pair of big channel lock pliers.

ViperGuy21 > deekster_caddy
10/16/2014 at 23:19

Thanks a ton! One last question, how much should a torque wrench cost?

OPPOsaurus WRX > ViperGuy21
10/16/2014 at 23:19

some caliper pains twist as they go in which requires a showboating tool. Also don't break any bolts cuz that is annoying as fuck. Hang the caliper with a coat hanger so you don't stress the brake line. Search youtube. There is probably a video on how to do it.

ViperGuy21 > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/16/2014 at 23:19

What is a flex handle?

ViperGuy21 > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/16/2014 at 23:20

Thanks! Great idea!

Clown Shoe Pilot > ViperGuy21
10/16/2014 at 23:21

Kinja'd!!!

You want this for busting bolts loose. Wailing on your ratchet is a good way to break the internal mechanism.

ViperGuy21 > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/16/2014 at 23:22

Oooooohhhhhhh, sweet! Thanks for your help! I truly appreciate it!

Clown Shoe Pilot > ViperGuy21
10/16/2014 at 23:31

The answer to "how much" depends on how you think about tools. I'm a "buy it for life" kinda guy and I REALLY like using nice tools. I find it adds enjoyment to the job. As such, I own a stupidly expensive (mine says "snap-on" so it costs a lot more) torque wrench -

http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Inst…

but you can get the job done with a much more modest tool, like this craftsman (also good, and I've got one of these too) -

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-micr…

hike > deekster_caddy
10/16/2014 at 23:43

This. Crappy parts are the worst. I had to redo my front brakes after the Napa pads wore horribly and ruined the rotors too. Magneti Marelli Rotors and Top of the line Napa pads on there now, stopping as smooth as ever!

ViperGuy21 > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/16/2014 at 23:43

Thanks that's great info!

Maybe I can borrow one from someone as I would like to do it his weekend and can't order something(unless, obviously, I can find a decent one at the store)

Kaizer Soze > ViperGuy21
10/16/2014 at 23:48

Watch Wheeler Dealers, he does brakes on a Porsche and a Saab, the guy is great at explaining things.

ViperGuy21 > Kaizer Soze
10/16/2014 at 23:51

Great idea, thanks!

Frank Grimes > ViperGuy21
10/17/2014 at 04:42

First thing you should always buy for any car you ever buy is not a CAI its the repair manual.

Also dont forget to check amazon for those pads I got mine for a killer deal offa there.

as for torque wrenches buy one from habor freight car craft magazine did a test on them using really expensive calibration tool etc and the habor freight ones were suprisingly very accurate.

deekster_caddy > ViperGuy21
10/17/2014 at 07:36

If you have a Sears nearby I can vouch for the Craftsman torque wrenches being more than good enough quality for the weekend warrior. I think the 1/2" drive one is about $75 unless its on sale.

ViperGuy21 > deekster_caddy
10/17/2014 at 10:28

How well would this work. I don't need anything fancy, just something that will get the job done.

http://m.oreillyauto.com/mt/www.oreilly…

deekster_caddy > ViperGuy21
10/17/2014 at 13:23

Those are okay. I prefer the click- type, but this is a great starter. Nothing to go wrong with it. I also use mine for lug nuts, 100% of the time. If you find yourself doing a lot of that you may want to upgrade to a click-type someday.

Don't forget to check your local craigslist! Lots of tool deals to be found...

ViperGuy21 > deekster_caddy
10/17/2014 at 14:45

Thanks for the info! Really appreciate it!