I have a 2003 Sedan, premium pkg...

How hard is it to change brake pads? Is it a simple matter of removing calipers, removing old pads, pushing calipers open, inserting new pads? Is there grease and/or special clips?

I'm advised to bleed the brake lines rather than pushing dirty fluid up into the master cyl.

Also, how do you remove the rotors?


THANKS!

 

Changing brake pads: EASY!

Is it a simple matter of removing calipers, removing old pads, pushing calipers open, inserting new pads:
For the front, you will need to remove to caliper to make it easy, but you dont have to, just take off one of the main bolts and loosen the other then pivot it. Take old pads out, make sure you have shims, if you dont you can use the old ones from the old brake pads. Either bleed or push calipers open and insert new pads.

Also, how do you remove the rotors?:
No you do not unless you want to resurface your rotors. You can get that done at a shop for $10 per rotor, just bring it to them and pick it up later in the day.

 

if its me...i would let some professional do it and learn it from there. Dont wannt screw up those breaks man~

 

This is something I think everyone should do. Take pride in doing things to YOUR car YOURSELF! Its very easy to do! Plus you have the guys on the site to guide you along.

 

Linky:
http://www.g35frenzy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1044

Download the PDF for the brake system, it will show how to change brake pads.

 

Thanks... the link has tons of useful information.

It is still not clear what is involved in changing rotors... I thought you would simply remove the caliper but the instructions say to drain the fluid etc.

Is there a way to remove the rotor without draining the brake system?

THANKS!

 

The rotors have nothing to do with the brake fluid system. You don't have to bleed or flush the system when you change rotors (although it's probably a good idea to change brake fluid annually). The calipers are connected via rubber brake hoses to the fluid system, but the rotors are independent of that. You can remove the rotor simply by removing the caliper. Once the caliper comes off, the rotor should just slide off the lugs (although you may need to tap it a couple of times with a rubber mallet to get it free). Remove old, put on new.

 

Thanks for the info. That's what I thought, but some instructions that I've seen tell you to drain the fluid before removing the caliper.

Have you considered painting the non-contact surfaces of the rotor (the "hub") or the calipers to prevent rust that seems to be an issue on these cars?

 

No, I don't think it would be worth it, seeing as how the rotor/hub is a wear item and you'll replace it before the rust ever becomes an issue. And, the rust is just surface rust, so not a big deal - I've seen it on other cars before. But do you have rust on your calipers? Because that shouldn't be the case. If it's around the bolts, etc. I would just sand it down a bit to clean it up, and then spray some brake cleaner on it. But if it's all over the caliper, I would ask the dealer to replace them.

 

I repainted my rotors this week but a different color



With removing its not that bad, just remove the pads, remove a few bolts (I used jack stands) take the calipers off and once you do that the rotors come right out.

As a precaution I would always bleed the brakes after removing any of the calipers though. This has been my first time and its a pain in the *** for real but I couldn't put a value on the amount of knowledge I've gained. I agree totally with G352NV that everyone should try this. Even if I dont do it again I know that the dealerships cannot BS me on the brake system now.

Oh yeah, you'll need 2 people to bleed the brakes, you could try it by yourself but in the end 2 will make total sense.

 

yea it's easy like you said on changing brake pads. it's not that hard.

 

A Phoenix Injector or Mityvac eliminates the need for a second person but you need to put out some extra cash for one or the other and diner for two is usually cheaper than either product.

 

you do NOT need to flush/drain fluid from caliper's simply to replace pads, just 2-4 bolts on each caliper, raise/lift caliper, remove old pads. At this point i usually push caliper pistons back in using one of my 'custom' methods...spray some 'disc brake quiet' on back of pads, resinert new pads, reinsert calipers, tigten bolts and your off.....

If your removing your calipers or introducing air into the system, you WILL need to perform a bleeding.