Yes I know my sig rules! and I spelt Brake right


so on to the question....is installing brake pads hard to do by yourself? is it wise to give it a shot and learn or is that like messing with your life lol....

I need new pads soon and I was wondering if I could do them. my skillz including chaning oil and tires lol...

Wish I had mechanic friends to show me this stuff.

 

It is not hard, in fact it generally takes me longer to jack up the car and take the wheels of than to replace the pads. However, If you have not done this before you are better haveing someone show you how to do itor watch someone do it before you attempt it yourself. You will needto invest inspecial tools to push the brake pistions back into the calipers. You can get away with doing the fronts with a large C-clamp, but the rear pistions need a special tool.

 

ok thanks for the tips. I have been thinking about taking a beginner Mechanics course on the side just to learn all these basic installs etc...

 

What special tool is needed for the years?

 

You will waste money taking classes for mechanic. Best way to learn is hang out and watch with participating with someone already with the knowledge. People I have known that taken classes dont know anything when they get out....lol

 

If you want to do it yourself I'd also suggest getting an auto manual and go step by step, but remember :

do not let the caliper hang from the brake line , hang it from a peice of wire
If you have ABS bleed out through the caliper piston and not back into the master cylinder.You could damage the ABS
Use anti seize or a high temp brake grease to lube the caliper slides and other points that need lubrication
You may be able to reuse the same rotors as long as there's no deep grooves and they are within specs. Use a rotary sanding disk lightly on both sides to a non directional finish and before you reinstall them make sure they are very clean
Brake fluid does not last forever and collects moisture over time . Bleed the system and put in new brake fluid

 

HAYNES has just released its new repair manual for the 2005+ Mustang. Cost is about $20.00. Buy one,it is very helpful. Can find at most major auto parts stores(Autozone,Aids,Carquest). Brakes can be very easy to work onIF you know what to do.

 

Although this did sound like something technical and useful i dont understand why installing pads would cause you to need to bleed the brakes on any system power or ABS. The only time bleeding is neccessary is when air is introduced into the system. Great tip about not letting caliper hang from brake line though, what people dont realize is although it probably wont break the line you are very subject to cause leak at the crimp.

 

Rupp, for the front you need a dual piston brake press, about $35. For the rear you need a rear brake piston tool. The rear piston screws in and you need a key to get a grip on it. I have seen universal ones that work with a 3.8 inch drive extension for $12. I have also seen rear brake caliper tool kits for $65.

Erdrickk, you don't need to bleed the brakes, just press or screw the pistons back in, don't open the bleeder valve. Again, if you have not done a brake job before, have someone help you do it the first time,even if you get the manual.

 

If you don't have ABS you could force the old brake fluid back into the master cylinder in order to retract the caliper piston so you can get the new pads on without bleeding and it may be okay . The question is how old is and what's the condition of the existing brake fluid . Bleeding out old fluid and replacing with new is a good idea if the fluid is old not to mention how it will also make all the bleeder screws easier to loosen in the future . If you have ABS in order to retract the piston you have to crack open the caliper piston bleeder in order to prevent damage to the ABS.