Hey guys, so i want to replace the front brake pads myself. Took the wheel off, removed bolt on top part of the caliper but the lower bolt is housed by a rubber bushing of some sort and when i finally go to see what it looks like its not like the top one. Looks like a hex key head rather than like the 13mm bolt head the top one was. Does this need a special tool? None of my hex keys fit in right to be able to loosen and take the bolt out. Im stumped. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys.

 

Why not just flip the caliper down? You should be able to with one bolt out.

 

snap a pic? i just took mine off a couple months ago. should just be two bolts. that are the same. and yes you should follow coffeys advice. you can just take out the top one and flip the top of the caliper down and change pads. unless you are changing rotors and need to remove the whole caliper

 

Well, I wanted to flip the caliper down from the top but the brake line is there and is short so I can only move it a short ways before the brake line is stretched and won't allow any further movement of the caliper. Here is a pic I took of what should be a bolt head. What do you guys think?

 

No offense, but I think you are either short on basic tools, or over your head. It's just a hex bolt. There is no great mystery about it.

 

Ok. Well i have hex keys but i'll buy an even bigger set and maybe get the right size.
Thank you,

 

Skip the keys and get a set of these:



Then you can simply use your ratchet (longer, more leverage) and even a torque wrench when re-tightening.

 

they're like less than $10 from HF for a set

 

there are sae and metrix hex keys. make sure your set is metric. i wonder why yours has a hex bolt. mine were just two regular bolts, 13mm i think.

 

Thanks guys, good idea on that key set and yeah the top bolt was a 13mm. Weird that the bottom one was this hex head bolt.

 

1st vs. 2nd gen OR Sport vs. non-Sport no doubt.

 

Well, I'm not going to bash you for not knowing what a hex bolt is or say you're in over your head. Because, everyone has to start somewhere. I will say go to Harbor Freight and get the following if you plan on DIYing:

3/8, 1/2 breaker bar - I have the ratcheting one as well, but it kind of sucks.
1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 Hex sockets
1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 ratchets. I like their extendable ones and flexible 3/8 is awesome.
1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 sockets.
They have this bit kit that comes in a red case it's like 10 bucks. I love it and it has everything you can think of.
Wrenches, but go for the ratcheting wrenches, you will be grateful later on.
Magnetic pick up.
Hose pliers
4lb sledge hammer
Rubber mallet
Drill and wire wheel for helping with rust cleanup
Lots of brake cleaner

Then goto Home Depot or something and get a few pieces of pipe for extra leverage, I've also used my jack handle.

You'll be doing all your own work in no time, but then if say you're wife wants an American car it's time for more tools, lol.

If you really want to save time and money. I'd get some Milwaukee power tools, I have the M18 1/4 Impact and 1/2 Impact and I've done all kind of work with those. I'm waiting to get on of there ratchets, but missed the damn sale Home Depot had on them.

Good rule to remember for torque and not breaking anything. Lefty loosey, right tighty from looking at the fastener. Everything under the hood 1/4 tools or maybe 3/8. Everything under the car 3/8 or 1/2.

I'd also look at the FSM or pick yourself up a Haynes manual it has some good basic info. I'm not sure if it goes past the 06 though.