Changing Own Brake pads?
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Changing Own Brake pads?
I have called around to a couple of my local brake shops. The price seems to be pretty high. I was wondering if anyone out there does their own brakes. If you do, do you get your rotors turned? Do you even recomend doing it yourself?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 236
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From: Texas
I do my own brake and it really isn't that hard to do if you've ever watched someone do it before ( my dad is a front end specialist and has been for 25 years). So I would deffinantly recommend it if you can find a good write up on the process, I would explain exactly but I'm as good at telling people what to do as I am giving directions. Oh, and I always turn my rotors to make sure there aren't any groves that would cause uneven wear on the new pads and the rotors themselves.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 4
From: Maine
Sometimes, at least in my experience, it is almost just as cheap to buy new rotors. I don't have any friends who can turn them for me so I just spend a few extra $ and get new rotors. No waiting for the garage to get to your rotors. Just my 2 cents.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 626
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From: People's republic of MA
93, what's it cost you to get your rotors turned? Our local napa does it for something like 10 or 12 bucks a rotor. New rotors are $$$... Unless you have a "rotor tree" you aren't telling us about... 
Tom
Tom
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
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From: Phenix City, AL
The brakes are really easy. Take off the wheels, remove the 2 caliper bolts and the 2 slide pins, pop out the pads, relube the pins, pop the new pads in and reseat the retaining sprins and put them back on. Takes all of 30 mins (max) per wheel. I used to do it each time I rotated the tires or if I ran the truck in mud that got into the brakes.
If the rotors are still smooth and don't show pitting or grooves, they're fine.
If the rotors are still smooth and don't show pitting or grooves, they're fine.
Last edited by BFR250SD; Sep 1, 2006 at 12:45 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 234
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From: Moriches USA
I agree, if the rotors dont show signs of wear by grooving and your pedal pressure is constant with no vibration, Don't cut them! After you cut rotors they work fine for a little while, then after heating up they warp. Hey I'm a dealer service guy with my truck but after 65K with absolutely no problems with my brakes I figured I'm due and didn't want to take it to the dealer who would cut the rotors. Long story short, after 65K the pads were still 3/8 thick and the rotors perfect and I did it myself and my rotors are still full thick. Not counting removing the tires it's only an hours work to change pads. I saved those old pads just in case as my 02 is getting on in years and miles and just maybe one day on the way home I'll hear that squeal that a pad is gone and just like that it will be replaced before a rotor is shot. trimman
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
I agree with the thinking that if your brake pedal feel smooth (no pulsing) and there are no grooves or cracks in the rotor then leave them. I just changed the pads in my Focus last weekend and didn't replace the rotors because they were fine.
-Matt
-Matt
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Republic of Texas
Try Auto Parts Shop
The O'Reilly's, Auto Zone, Pep Boys, NAPA, dealers all turn rotors for a reasonable cost. They will even lend you tools (w/ deposit) if your truck needs a specific tool for the job. Typically a good way to go for the do it yourselfers . . .
Last edited by Lonewolftx; Sep 2, 2006 at 09:47 AM. Reason: spelling
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,653
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From: Itinerant
If you can't find the write up here and rather have the book in front of you buy the haynes or chiltons. Do one brake job on your vehicle and it paid for itself. And you still have a wealth of info there. All most nothing better than the felling of doing the job yourself and seeing it wasn't really that hard and the next time be that much easier.