Replacing my own brake pads?

roddydogs

Amazed no ones advised the obvious you MUST use axel stands, a jack even a trolly jack is NOT safe!!!!!! As for Kwickfit, yes they may use 17 yr olds, but they will also have back up and a full garage of tools.

Scubabe

For the people who said I should start my learning curve elsewhere, I don't think you read my first post properly - my dad was a mechanic and I have helped him change brake pads before, I have just never done it all by myself.

But then to the people who've mentioned the tools I'd need, thank you so much for giving me a reality check - I really don't have the required equipment to DIY this, I have a big toolbox but I don't have clamps or axel stands, so I'm really not kitted out for this. Will have to take her to a shop.

Hopefully I can get through the next 2 weeks with crunchy brakes until payday!!

Thanks so much to everyone for your suggestions, especially to Wig that was such a great post and so informative, esp with photos so thank you!!!

Ness

steveo3002

have you got any blocks of wood ? you could use some hefty blocks to stand it on if need be and slide the wheel under the car just incase it falls

you can get axle stands for £10 anyway

g clamps are cheap or you could use a big lever / hefty screw driver to lever the piston back

will you have a spare car or a friend to run you around if you get stuck...theres always a tool or something you need to dash out and get once the car is apart

roddydogs

Blocks of Wood???? why not advise Bricks?

moonrakerz

roddydogs wrote: »

Blocks of Wood???? why not advise Bricks?

'Cos bricks can crumble !

steveo3002

yeah ive never been a fan off bricks as i can imagine one cracking and the car coming down

just be double sure its safe...it wont be fun having a car fall on you

Hintza

roddydogs wrote: »

Blocks of Wood???? why not advise Bricks?

Since I never had axle stands I normally put the wheel under the car and if necessary a block of wood on top of that.

Doing the brakes is pretty easy if you have the right tools and the right environment. Not having those can be very uncomfortable and a total pain.

BillScarab

I've used large pieces of timber in the past instead of axel stands. they tend to be more stable than bricks if they're big enough but for the price of axel stands nowadays it's worth doing it properly.

Disc brakes are pretty easy to do especially if you've watched or helped someone in the past.

Most libraries stock Haynes Manuals so you should be able to borrow one form there and photocopy the relevant pages so you don't get the library one dirty.

If you're planning on doing jobs yourslef it's well worth investing in a basic trolley jack and a set of stands.