72MachOne99GT

At some point I have to compress the caliper so that I can slide the caliper off of the rotor and so I can remove the pads themselves.

Without a clamp, what else can I use?

Cobrajets

Why can't you get a c-clamp. A local hardware store should have a 6" c-clamp for under $10. Harbor Freight has 'em under $5.

Rik08GTvert

i usually take off the brake line and compress the caliper in a vise. if you do that though you'd have to replace the crush rings on the brake lines. couldn't find them anywhere so i went to a tractor shop and they had some. gave em to me for free! lazy a**es didnt wanna do the paper work. lol i think they're 7/16 but measure em just to make sure. cuz i cant remember about what size they were exactly. you gotta get copper ones though. last time i got lazy and just used a metal plate and a clamp to compress em. and you usually compress them after the caliper comes off so you should have no problem unbolting it and sliding it right off.

72MachOne99GT

maybe I'm really lazy?

does anyone know what size exactly I need? i dont remember, I read through the haynes manual last night so i could at least see what all i needed,

all i remember is seeing c clamp and wondering what else I could use instead..

Cobrajets

A 4" clamp will do the job. Just can't think of anything that would work as easy as a clamp. Ask a buddy if he has one you can borrow. Should be able to get brakes done in less than an hour if you're just changing pads.

72MachOne99GT

yea, i read through the manual, nothign too complex by any means...

4" you think then..sounds okay

thanks man, im gonna have my dad bring home some from work tomorrow

how do you know if you've got rotor issues?

I rotated my tires last night and they seemed alright...no cracking,,,no noticeable warping..etc...

scooter3

If you are not getting any pulsing when you apply the brakes then your rotors should be ok, but you should always mic them just to make sure they are true. You might be able to find a mic at a local auto parts store for rent.

72MachOne99GT

mmm, I do get a bit of feeling through my brake pedal when I'm coming to a stop

I wonder if I ought to think about having them inspected instead of just putting new pads on a bad rotor.. :-(

Cobrajets

If your brake pedal pulses a little when you get on the brakes somewhat hard or if your steering wheel shakes when you apply the brakes, your rotors are warped. Take 'em to a local shop and have 'em turned down. Maybe $20 or $30 for a pair. They'll tell you if they are too thin (out of specs), after they are turned and shouldn't charge you for it. If so, get new rotors. If everything was smooth before you change your pads, they should be fine after.

72MachOne99GT

well, when i would get on the brakes I could feel a bit of a chug chug lightly spaced out as i applied pressure

within the last couple days I've gotten a bit of noise, I'm sure that's from the brake pads being almost completely gone..

so the last two days to work i've used next to no brakes in order to prevent any scorring of the rotors..