Car repair DIY question (1 Viewer)

[CT Saints Fan]

On a scale of 1-10, what's the difficulty of changing front brake rotors if you don't have all the right equipment - i.e., jack stands, c-clamps, etc., and don't want to run the risk of having to bleed the brakes? I'm hoping like around a 3.

 

[BOOBOO]

what kind of car?

 

[The Mongoose]

On a scale of 1-10, what's the difficulty of changing front brake rotors if you don't have all the right equipment - i.e., jack stands, c-clamps, etc., and don't want to run the risk of having to bleed the brakes? I'm hoping like around a 3.

Dude, borrow some jack stands. Or go buy them somewhere. You don't really want to do that job just on a chincy car jack, or even a floor jack.

You want to try fading a five iron into a tight pin with only two fingers on your left hand? I didn't think so.

It's not that hard a job otherwise. But for goodness sakes, be safe.

 

[mean machine]

Don't even consider doing this without jackstands. And I don't see how can even replace brake pads without a C-clamp. They're not that expensive.

Assuming you don't have any trouble getting spindle nut (or whatever it's called) loose, the hardest part (or at least the biggest pain) will be greasing the wheel bearings.

 

[CT Saints Fan]

Dude, borrow some jack stands. Or go buy them somewhere. You don't really want to do that job just on a chincy car jack, or even a floor jack.

You want to try fading a five iron into a tight pin with only two fingers on your left hand? I didn't think so.

It's not that hard a job otherwise. But for goodness sakes, be safe.

Well, I could go buy all the stuff, but I've found that by the time I buy all the tools/equipment to do a job right, and the time I spend doing it, I could have just paid somebody else, who already has all that stuff, to do it in the first place.

Then I don't end up with tools/equipment I'll never need again, my kids are spared being exposed to language they are too young to hear, and I can spend more time practicing fading a 5-iron into a tight pin, no matter how many fingers I have.

 

[antipop]

this is why i have a mechanic.....

the other option is for me to destroy my car and/or hurt myself trying to fix something.....

 

[Leastbay]

why dont you want to bleed the brakes? its better to putnew fluid in anyway, buy a vacuum pump from autozone and suck it out the fitting on the caliper its easy as pie, you shouldnt need any C clamps, just jack ,jackstands, pump brake fluid, new rotors and pads

 

[Big_L]

It takes me 30min total to change out front brakes on my maxima. The pads are $40 from the Zone and I have everything else. Its always good to have tools on hand, but I am just a poor guy who would rather do his own work so he knows its done right. Mechanics are so sleezy out here.

 

[whodatfever]

Dude, borrow some jack stands. Or go buy them somewhere. You don't really want to do that job just on a chincy car jack, or even a floor jack.

You want to try fading a five iron into a tight pin with only two fingers on your left hand? I didn't think so.

It's not that hard a job otherwise. But for goodness sakes, be safe.

I've known you for many years and apart from seeing you stay relatively sober during your wedding I find myself, for the 2nd time ever, impressed with you

 

[Saint77]

What kind of Car CT? it makes a differance.

You don't necessarily need C-Clamps. Large channel lock pliers, and in some cases, even a large screwdriver/prybar applied for leverage against the caliper bracket(do not place the tip on the rotor or pad unless your sure you dont care if it gets marred) will collapse the piston into the caliper.

Heres the deal. You can buy decent jackstands cheap. If your car doesn't require a slide hammer to remove the rotor from the hub, or, does not have bearings in the hub, all you need do is take out the caliper bracket bolts and remove the rotor. It should slide right off, Occasionally, you might run into one thats stuck to the hub. a few taps on flat inside surface of the rotor should shake it loose.

You should even think about bleeding the brakes unless there is air in the line or the fluid really, old.

 

[jackers]

First off, he asked about rotors, not pads. Rotors are a little harder because the entire assembly must come off. You will need to repack the bearings with grease and re-torque the nut that holds them in. Not too, too hard, but it can be a little tricky.

As for the pads, if they need done as well, they can be easy or tough depending on your car. My cobra takes a special compression tool for the front calipers. It looks like a big T-handle with two nipples on the opposite end from the handle. You basically screw the piston into the caliper.

Once again, can be easy or can be hard. Proper tools are a must though. Safety first when it comes to working on any machinery.

 

[Leastbay]

alot of cars the rotor just slides off when you take off the caliper seperate from the hub

 

[staphory]

alot of cars the rotor just slides off when you take off the caliper seperate from the hub

lus-un2:
That's the way mine are, I was unaware of any that require removal of bearings, require brake bleeding, etc. Not saying that isn't the case on some models though.

CT what kind of car are we talking about here?

 

[CT Saints Fan]

What kind of car? Do you want my SS# too? D.o.b.? Checking account #?

 

[Saint77]

lus-un2:
That's the way mine are, I was unaware of any that require removal of bearings, require brake bleeding, etc. Not saying that isn't the case on some models though.

CT what kind of car are we talking about here?

Pre Lots of Pre '90s cars do, Mostly anything rear wheel drive, and most trucks, too, need to have bearings removed.

C'mon CT, 'fess up, what kinda car? are ya scurred?