Topic: Weekend project brake job....

[NGO]

Well started out replacing the brake pads on the rear of my 2001 Suburban.

$54 for the lifetime ceramic pads


Got the tires off, got the shoes off...

rotors were real thin on one side....yup need new ones.

So tried to take off the Caliper bracket....check out your ratchet set they don't come with 18mm...

Turns out the bolts are 18mm in size, guess what...rachet sets come with 17mm and jump to 19mm....so I have to buy a new socket

$54 + $4 = $58

Get the caliper bracket off and the rubber boots around the caliper pistons are shot and one of the pistons is stuck.

So need new rotors and calipers....

$54 +$4 + 116 + $100 = $274

Once we get the rotors off the emergency brake pads are also shot....

new ones needed

$54 +$4 + 116 + $100 + $90 = $364


Plus the time it takes to take everything off....clean things up...lubricants and anti-seaze...

Oh you need three large bottles off brake fluid. and Brake cleaner spray.


And to top if off your will need some 1/4" tubing to bleed the brakes....

and I did used 3 empty #10 cans to catch the fluid.

And then the Master cylinder...made out of plastic....was full of dried dirty build up....

Had to take it off...Punch set came in handy with that...

Wash it off with degreaser and lots and lots of hot water....

Because it is molded with compartments that you cannot get a brush into....so lots of fill with soap, and hot water and shake....rinse with water...

Then I have to get the water drops out...air compressor... and then electronics cleaner spray...then air....then I had the idea of putting some clean brake fluid into it...rinse it off with fluid a few times...


Put it back on and then start the bleeding process....good to have a kid helping here.

Well we get all the air out and got clean fluid coming out ....



About six hours of work over two days and three kids get an idea of how to do a full brake job. walkign inside when dinner is done and for a half hour kids chatting up mom on all the different things they all did in hel;ping me do the work...


Priceless

[WTF]

you should've bought a Model T ford

[luvmy45]

I am laughing because I just did some brake work this weekend on my 1997 Tahoe. I think I go off a little easier.

Took my rig in for an oil change... (with coupons it's actually cheaper to take the thing in that do it myself, go figure.) They pointed out that my master cylinder was leaking and needed replaced, by front pads were worn, (and my rotors needed turning) real axle seal is leaking on my rear brakes are getting warn.

So off to Schucks for some parts for the Saturday project...

Master Cylinder - Remaned w/3 year warrenty - $35 - Shop wanted $153.95

Big Bottle of brake fluid $6.95

Front Brakes - Ceramic lifetime - $55

Rotors turned - $15/ea - Shop wanted $134.33 for front back job including turning

Tubing for bleeding brakes - $3.00

Google is my friend, since I am not a mechanic, found a video of replacing the MC looked easy enough, and the new MC has a really easy method of bench bleeding.

2 hoses, and 2 nuts and MC is off the truck, bench bleed new one, put on and attache the lines... bleed the brakes... took off the rotors, had them turned, replaced pads while rotors were turned, put rotors back on and whammo.

I saved enough to head to Jeff's shop and buy some more goodies for me. 

And now my kid knows how to bleed the brakes... talk about a third foot to help out!

Next is the rear seals, rear diff and rear brakes... might have to let the shop do the seals... not sure I want to tear apart the diff myself.

[NGO]

Next nice weekend...front brakes.
  Should only need pads for them...


Real nice weekend...replace Intake manifold gaskets...

Composite intake manifold  and o-ring gaskets  one side is leaking and causes a stumbling start on cold mornings.

[SEVERED]

You should have checked a 3/4 socket most sets don't come with a 18mm because 3/4 crosses over and fits.

And I feel your pain on stuff adding up. I did the brakes on my 97 ford 3/4 ton heavy duty and by the time I was done I had to replace both the rotors and drums, let alone the pads, shoes, seals and brake fluid. But lucky for me one of my buddies worked for commerical tire at the time and came over and did all the labor and a lot qicker then I could have. But in the end even with my discount on parts it was around 600 for all the parts. My buddy told me it would have been between 1200-1400 to have the same thing done at his work.

[NGO]

3/4 fits but is very loose and wobbles just too large...it would have stripped and broke my knukles as tight as those bolts were.

18mm was perfect.


Lew Schawbe wanted $752 to do the same saved $350

[SEVERED]

I have had that happen a couple times, it almost matters per brand both of vehicle and socket. my snap on stuff fits a lot tighter then my craftsman stuff.

[NGO]

Both the Craftsman and Home Depot brand "Huskey" were loose, I knew it wasn't the right size.

Mic'd it and it was 18mm Bolt.  Sucker was tight!

I had to use a cheater bar.


Next on my yard sale shopping list...1/2" drive socket sets....

[RGinIdaho]

18mm is .70ish
3/4 is, well...

[No-One]

I gotta do the Brakes on my Wifes Grand Am but first I gotta go get daddy a new 1/2 inch drive Impact Gun to go with my new Air Compressor I got for my Birthday  I usually preface new tool buys with the fact that I can save more than the cost on the first project I do and this will be no exception .

[SNAFU]

Both the Craftsman and Home Depot brand "Huskey" were loose, I knew it wasn't the right size.

Mic'd it and it was 18mm Bolt.  Sucker was tight!

I had to use a cheater bar.


Next on my yard sale shopping list...1/2" drive socket sets....

If you ever see a Torque Wrench that can do 400 ft lbs (or at least 369), give me a yell, need one, only ones I have found so-far were WAY overpriced.

Well, off to go check a rear brake issue I'm having, one caliper seems to have an issue.

[SEVERED]

If you ever see a Torque Wrench that can do 400 ft lbs (or at least 369), give me a yell, need one, only ones I have found so-far were WAY overpriced.

Well, off to go check a rear brake issue I'm having, one caliper seems to have an issue.

Do I dare ask what you have to torque at that??!?!?

I know on a Civic I had the front axle nuts where torqued to between 350 and 400 (thats the what honda told me they didnt have set number just in that range) and were supose to have a torque mutiplier to take them on and off instead it got me boucing on a 6 ft pipe on a 3/4 drive breaker bar. went on the same way it came off and never had any problems.

[No-One]

350-400 ft pounds is about what them yahoo's at the tire store seem to like to put my lugnuts on at  I finally had to show the guy that the torque wrench could be adjusted

[SNAFU]

Do I dare ask what you have to torque at that??!?!?

02 F250 Upper Track Bar Bolt/Nut.