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DIY rear brake job?


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My right rear caliper is seized and has trashed the brake rotor. In addition the parking brake doesn't do anything because I think the parking brake shoes got worn down by someone driving with the parking brake on a few times. So, I called a repair place to see about getting rear rotors/pads/calipers replaced as well as parking brake shoes. I got quoted a potential price of anything from $700-$800 to as much as $1000 to do all of this. For the record this place was a Car X repair place. I only consider them because I have a Car X repair credit card which means I can put up to $500 of a repair bill on the card and be able to pay that off over time versus shelling out of my pocket for the entire bill. Unfortunately, I am not rolling in dough and my wife and I are desperately trying to save money, the cheaper I can do something the better. This is where the DIY comes in. I've done front brake pads and rotors on other cars before but never rear brakes of any sort and never any caliper replacement. Also, I live in Chicago in an apartment and would need to do these repairs on the street in front of my building. At least I live on a fairly quiet side street but still I'd rather have a driveway or parking lot to do this sort of work. I'm not even sure I have enough of the right tools to do this work. Obviously I can probably do some of this cheaper than going to a garage, but I'm wondering if it's realistic to consider trying to do this myself. Also, this is my only car, so if I need extra parts I have to order them or ride my bike/take a bus to a parts store. Any thoughts? Suggestions?
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In this guide I will go over the basics of how to replace your brake pads and rotors on a standard disk brake setup. Just like most of my other guides, this one covers *most* vehicles. There is usually very minor differences between each type of car.

 

NOTE :

 

This guide does NOT cover drum brake systems, brake bleeding, etc

Don't ask me to provide a DIY on drum brakes either. I hate drum brakes and I avoid them like the plague.

 

Time Required :

 

30 minutes - 1 hour

 

 

Tools Required :

 

This varies on each car. The following will usually cover most applications

 

Metric Sockets

Ratchet

Metric Wrenches (GearWrenches work the best. If you don't have any, buy them.)

Torx & Hex sockets

Large C-Clamp

Large Flathead Screwdriver or Small Prybar

Hammer

 

On some cars, you may have to have a bearing race kit and an assortment of punches if you're bearings are the kind that sit inside the rotor.

 

As well, some vehicles have rotors that have screws holding them in. The BEST way to get these screws out is by using an impact screwdriver. You can pick one up on any tool truck (Matco, Snap On, Mac, Cornwell) or at most auto parts stores. You can see one in the last tool image. They simply work by hitting the back side of it with a hammer. It transfers the hammer blow into sudden turning movement (by a gear inside the tool) to bust loose stuck screws. Its a lifesaver. Most Hondas have rotors held in like this.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0606.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0608.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0607.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0605.jpg

 

 

The car I've used in this guide is my personal 1997 Subaru Legacy GT. It has a basic disk brake setup and is similar to most vehicles on the road.

 

Step 1 -

 

Make sure you're parked on a level surface. Place blocks behind your rear wheels (if you're doing the front brakes), pull up your e-brake, ,and put the car in park (or 1st gear if its a stick). Break your lugnuts loose (but don't take them off) while its still on the ground. Now jack it up and support it with jackstands. NEVER rely on the jack alone to hold up the car while you're working on it. ALWAYS use jackstands. After you get the front end up in the air, remove your front wheels. Personally, I like leaving the jack under the car with the jack stand to provide a second layer of protection.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0574.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0576.jpg

 

Step 2 -

 

This is an optional step, but a good idea to do. Since you have your tires off the car, take a close look at them. Look to see if you have any abnormal wear indicating that you need an alignment. As well, look for any nails in the tires. In the picture below, I found a small nail in one of my front tires

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0575.jpg

 

Step 3 -

 

This as well is optional, but it will make your life A LOT easier for the following step.

 

Use a large c-clamp and hit the outside brake pad and the back of the caliper with it. When you compress the c-clamp, it will push back the brake piston a little bit. This will let you flip up the caliper easier later on.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0578.jpg

 

Step 4 -

 

Take a look at the back side of the caliper towards the bottom. You will see the bolt in the picture below. There is one on top and one on bottom. Leave the top one in and remove the bottom. Once you break it loose, you should be able to remove it the rest of the way with your fingers easily.

 

TIP -

 

You can turn your wheel either direction to make it easier to get to the back sided of the caliper. If you're working on the right side, turn the wheels to the left....and to the right for the driver side.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0582.jpg

 

Step 5 -

 

Now you're going to flip up the caliper. If its tough to flip, you can use a screwdriver or small prybar to help you out.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0583.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0584.jpg

 

Step 6 -

 

Now that you have your caliper flipped all the way up, simply push straight back on it. It will slide out of the machine bracket. You don't want to just let it hang around from the brake line (it can damage the line) so hang it from the strut or tie rod. Note on the right side the long pin. Remember this for later. Its called a slider pin. You're going to have to grease it later on. The second slider pin is still in the machine bracket and it too will be greased later on.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0585.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0586.jpg

 

Step 7 -

 

Remove the brake pads from the machine bracket. If they are stuck a little bit, you can use a screwdriver or small prybar to help you get them out.

 

Step 8 -

 

Go back behind the rotor and look for the two bolts that hold the machine bracket on the car. I have a wrench on the two bolts in the pictures below. Remove these bolts and the machine bracket will come off.

 

Picture # 3 below shows the setup I usually use to take these bolts out. They are usually pretty tight, so a long ratchet that gives you extra leverage is very helpful.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0587.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0588.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0589.jpg

 

Step 9 -

 

Now that your machine bracket is out of the way, you can take the rotor off the car. If you're working on a Honda, remember to use the impact screwdriver to take out the screws. Most other vehicles the rotor should basically "fall off" now. Sometimes they rust onto the car a little bit so you have to hit it with a hammer a few times to help break loose the rust.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0590.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0591.jpg

 

Step 10 -

 

Now its time to push the piston in the caliper back. Grab one of your old brake pads and a c-clamp to do this with. Some cars (like the one pictured below) have two pistons in the caliper. Thats OK, the process is still the same.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0600.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0598.jpg

-broknindarkagain

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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

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Step 11 -

 

Now its time to start greasing everything up. The grease will help your brakes move more freely, and it will cut down on brake noise as well. When you buy your brake pads, you can ask the parts guy for "caliper grease". He will know just what you need. The following lube points are the automotive industry standard :

 

Catch the machine brakcets where the pads rub along them with lube. Both top and bottom.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0594.jpg

 

Get both slider pins we talked about earlier

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0597.jpg

 

Get the caliper pistons

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0601.jpg

 

And get the front inside part of the caliper that rubs against the outside pad.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/broknindarkagain/diskbrakes/IMAG0602.jpg

 

Step 12 -

 

Now you start putting everything back together. If you're replacing the rotor, sure you spray it down with brake parts cleaner to remove all the oils from it.

 

Put the rotor on

 

Put the machine bracket on

 

Put the pads in

 

Put the caliper on

 

Put the wheel on

 

Lower the car

 

Torque the lugnuts.

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTE :

 

BEFORE YOU DRIVE YOUR CAR YOU HAVE TO PUMP UP THE BRAKE PEDAL. Since you pushed back the caliper pistons, you are going to have to pump the brake pedal several times in order to get the pads to meet the rotor. Don't forget to do this or else you won't be able to stop your car. Just pump the brake several times until it gets stiff and you will be good to go.

 

 

 

 

 

There are a few minor differences for the rear, but if you understand how to do your front brakes the rears will be EASY to figure out.

 

In the guide above, I removed a bottom bolt from the caliper, the rear you have to take off the top bolt. To replace the caliper, just undo the brake line and put the new caliper on...Pretty easy.

 

As far as the parking brake shoes, try adjusting them first. You can do so by an adjuster wheel inside the assembely of it.

-broknindarkagain

My Current Project - Click Here

COME AND TAKE IT

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

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I'm guessing that replacing calipers will require bleeding the brakes? I do have the Haynes manual for my car so I can use that as a reference if I attempt this job. I'm mainly wondering if this is they type of job that you'll get into and then find out that you need some special tool that costs an arm and a leg. I'm also concerned about getting started and for one reason or another not being able to finish in one day.
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Yes it will....Sorry I didn't include that. I usually clip the brake line to keep fluid from dripping out of it. I use needle nose vice grips to do it usually.

-broknindarkagain

My Current Project - Click Here

COME AND TAKE IT

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

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  • 1 year later...
Don't forget to check master cylinder first-especially if you thought it was low and added some fluid to bring it to level.If it's at top line,I wipe cap off,open it,and use turkey baster to take out a little,then put cap back on-that way when you reset caliper,it won't be too full.BTW,excellent write-up and pics!
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One thing that you might run into doing the rear ebrake shoes is that there is rust between the metal on the backing plates causing the shoes to push out on the rotor.

I spent over 100 a piece on new backing plates. My car brakes like a champ now though with everything new.

I also did the bearings.

 

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l285/spdfrk1990/Legacy/legacy129.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l285/spdfrk1990/Legacy/legacy132.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l285/spdfrk1990/Legacy/legacy137.jpg

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