DIY: Changing rear brake pads

[obert]

Great info thanks.

[FALer]

Originally Posted by vtec8

Nice write up! I noticed that you didn't say anything about taking the residue from the old pads off. Is that even nessesary? I just bought the Hawk HPS front and rears and didnt know if I would have to take off the rotors and sand them like it says on the hawk box. Just thought someone could help.

Some pads are compatible with each other, while others aren't. Generally, you don't have to worry if you keep using the same brand and model of pad. You can sand the rotors in place, but you have to work around the dust shield to get the inside face.

[Doeboy211]

I used the other DIY and did my front brakes yesterday. I'm in the process of doing the rear brakes now. I removed the two caliper bolts, top and bottom, and the caliper isnt budging? Wont come off? Any ideas? Is there something else I'm missing here or is my caliper just stuck on from time and wear? I have an 07 FA5.

[Doeboy211]

Okay forget it, forgot my e-brake was on!!! <<<<<<NOOB

[collins590]

Originally Posted by 02SilverSiHB

I used a c-clamp for the fronts (already had one) and used an one of the used brake pads to put up against the piston...safe and easy. Then for the rears I used a screw driver and lined it up with the rear piston's grooves...it turns easily...almost easy enough to where you could put a quarter in there...no damage at all...quite easy.

I used this method for the rear but I don't think I lined it up with the rear pistons groves.. I haven't really had any problems with braking though.. How important is this step?

[20civic07]

how would you tell if one of the rear pistons is bad?

[MattalliSI]

You might want to throw in that a impact driver is required for those changing the rotors as well. $25 tool at Sears - hit it with a hammer and it mechanically changes the impact force into torque to remove the caliper phillips head screws. I seen to many people strip the heads on those bolts making the rotor replacement a chore.

[jrotax101]

even with one of the impact drivers i couldn't get mine to budge ( they had seen heat most street cars won't see, however)

still had to drill them out.. just never put them back in, as they are only there for assembly purposes anyway.

[stealth]

Ok I did the front today, and I'm having some trouble understanding the proper way to do the rear. If I understood well, bleeding is a must to prevent anything happening to the ABS. Now is the rear compressor tool the right thing to use or are you supposed to screw the piston in with a screw driver or something similar? Or does the compressor tool also screw the piston back in as it applies pressure?

Either way, if I do it myself I probably won't bleed the brakes. but if that is a BIG no no, then I'll get it done at the shop.

[stealth]

So I tried changing my rear pads and came across a few problems. I was looking at my rotors and saw some pretty bad surface rust (or so I thought)... It ended up being that the Zinc coating on the rotors was peeling off, so that must have been totally eating away at my rotors before I realized... So obviously I have to get new rotors, I'll prob slap the OEM ones back on there... Here's a pic:



You can see the rust on a few spots around the rotor... Both rear rotors are in this condition, but the front ones are perfect. They are BDI rotors.

Now here's the problem, I'm trying to get the rear caliper off but there seems to be too much tension in one of the cables. As if it's not long enough for the caliper to be removed. E-brake was off so I can't really think of anything. Here's a not so bright picture of the cable in question:


Any help or advice would be very appreciated!

[stealth]

Here's a brighter pic so you can have a better idea of the cable in question:

[stealth]

Bumpity bump... Anyone???

[TheDarkKnight]

I heard several times that on an 07 Civic Si, you must turn the piston to recede it back for the new pads. Do you need to remove the e-brake line or anything else? I would appreciate any help.

[stealth]

Just gave up. The screws holding the rotor in place just won't budge! I'll dish out some $ to get it done right.

[FALer]

+

[stealth]

^^^^ Went to 3 hardware stores and none of them had an impact driver!

[FALer]

Originally Posted by stealth

^^^^ Went to 3 hardware stores and none of them had an impact driver!

Have any Sears stores in Quebec?

[FALer]

Quebec - Montreal Area
Carrefour Angrignon
7071, boulevard Newman,
LaSalle, Quebec
H8N 1X1
Phone: 514-364-7310
Fax: 514-364-9725

Les Galeries d'Anjou
7451, boulevard Les Galeries d'Anjou,
Ville d'Anjou, Quebec
H1M 3A3
Phone: 514-353-7770
Fax: 514-353-9904

Carrefour de Richelieu
550, rue Pierre Caisse
Saint-Jean Sur Richelieu, Quebec
J3A 1M1
Phone: 450-349-2651
Fax: 450-349-1103
Les Galeries Rive-Nord
100, boulevard Brien,
Repentigny, Quebec
J6A 5N4
Phone: 450-582-5532
Fax: 450-585-9220

Carrefour du Nord
900, boulevard Grignon,
St-Jérôme, Quebec
J7Y 3S7
Phone: 450-432-2110
Fax: 450-432-3795

Carrefour Laval
3005, boulevard Le Carrefour,
Laval, Quebec
H7T 1C7
Phone: 450-682-1200
Fax: 450-682-9936

Les Promenades Saint-Bruno
700, boulevard des Promenades,
Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec
J3V 5J8
Phone: 450-441-6603
Fax: 450-441-6604

Centre Fairview Pointe-Claire
6901, autoroute Transcanadienne,
Pointe-Claire, Quebec
H9R 5J2
Phone: 514-694-8815
Fax: 514-694-4665

Place Vertu
3055, boulevard Côte-Vertu,
Ville Saint-Laurent, Quebec
H4R 1Y6
Phone: 514-335-7770
Fax: 514-335-9315


Mail Champlain
2151, boulevard Lapinière,
Brossard, Quebec
J4W 2T5
Phone: 450-465-1000
Fax: 450-465-6173

Place Rosemere
401 boulevard Labelle
Rosemere, Quebec
J7A 3T2
Phone: 450-433-1001
Fax: 450-433-2328

[stealth]

Didn't try sears... Went to Canadian tire, Reno depot and Rona... None of which carried it! I'll check sears out 2moro

[tda1337]

OMG
140 bux for a Kobalt 120v 420ft/lbs torque impact wrench at LOWES
screw sears u guys. they are garbage!
also thats ur ebrake cable putting that tension on there. did u try taking the ebrake off? [inside the car ;-) ]
the Kobalt one also comes with a set of sockets tooo. including the one for your lug nuts :-P
or in my case. i used it to take the lug nuts off. and then used it to put the tool in to put my new rims on lol

i think (and am prolly wrong) its item# 3012. its right next to the dewalt one (only 340ft lbs of torque) which was 179.99