New Front Brake Pads + Rotors!

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot) 02/06/2016 at 15:28 • Filed to: None

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A special thanks to MontegoMan for showing me what to do! As some of you may know, I’m still a bit green around cars. I have much to learn, and today was no exception.

What I learned today is that the concept of putting on new pads and rotors is simple and very straightforward. Actually doing it is another story. Whether from my laziness of washing the car (I like free and MrsZtp refuses to wear a bikini to wash it) or just wear and tear, most everything was difficult to take apart.

MontegoMan did the drivers side while I watched. I them did the passengers side with MontegoMan assisting. I only say assisting because I have a bad right shoulder, and applying pressure is really difficult for me. Plus I kept saying “righty tighty, lefty loosely” while trying to remember if it was my right, or the bolts right (hint: it’s the bolts).

I’m glad I did watch then did it myself, the experience was invaluable. I saw how things are put together, and now understand more on how a car works and functions. I guess you can say I’m earning my Oppo Merit Badges.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > zeontestpilot 02/06/2016 at 15:36

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OPPOsaurus WRX > zeontestpilot 02/06/2016 at 15:39

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Sweet deal. It’s kinda scary if you don’t know what your doing with something so important. I have to do my rears soon.

smobgirl > zeontestpilot 02/06/2016 at 15:45

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I need to learn the next time mine need done. Good for you!

Also...I really like the idea of Oppo Merit Badges :)

zeontestpilot > OPPOsaurus WRX 02/06/2016 at 15:52

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When I asked oppo last week, they said it was easy, but when they went into detail, it didn’t sound easy. Sort of mixed messages. But these guys most likely know a car better than me, while I’m still learning.

My rears will have to be done next year. I could try it myself, but I’ll most likely ring up MontegoMan. He made a good point earlier, the emergency brake is back there, that might complicated things. Besides, I learn better having someone there with me than by a video.

zeontestpilot > smobgirl 02/06/2016 at 15:57

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It was actually fascinating I thought. After I removed the wheel, I sort of stared at the mechanics underneath. I broke the silence with “this is what gives the wheel power, isn’t it?” I was right, :).

I definitely recommend trying to do it at least once, if not to just understand how everything works together.

Kinja should allow us merit badges, like achievements in video games. That would be awesome.

zeontestpilot > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 02/06/2016 at 15:58

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That's how I felt driving away from his house....until I realize stupid Waze sent me in the opposite direction I came. Then I got confused.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > zeontestpilot 02/06/2016 at 16:17

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There does appear from my 3 minutes or so of Google research to be a complication for rear brakes, and that *is* the fact that the E-brake is back there. Basically, your car (like quite a lot of modern cars) seems to have a screwing-out thingy on the rear brake piston that has to be screwed back in before the new pads will fit. There’s a weird cube they sell at auto parts stores to do that with, but it can be a pain in the rear - sometimes the piston wants to turn instead of the screw *in* the piston. Here’s a guy using pliers instead of the tool on a piston screw.

Here’s the tool:

Not impossible if everything goes according to plan, but when it doesn’t is when you need backup.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 02/06/2016 at 19:15

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I’ve got the big all makes/models brake tool kit so I’m good. Just like the big kit you can rent at auto parts stores.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > zeontestpilot 02/06/2016 at 19:19

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Yeah man, you’re always welcome in the Montego Garage. I normally let buddies know (especially over the summer) if I’m going to be hanging out wrenching, even if it’s little stuff. That means others can bring their projects too.

Found a significant oil leak under the Milan when I did the oil change after you left. I took a break and warmed up before the oil changes haha.

Hopefully it felt better on the way home. And that brake tool we used to compress the caliper is 100% required for the rear brakes.

zeontestpilot > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/06/2016 at 22:19

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Thanks! I'll definitely take you up on that offer!

Burn-Spaz1966-Burn > zeontestpilot 02/06/2016 at 23:01

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Good Oppo.

shop-teacher > zeontestpilot 02/06/2016 at 23:27

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Good work you two!

zeontestpilot > shop-teacher 02/06/2016 at 23:49

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Definitely. It makes me more curious of the black magic on how a car works, :).