Replacing pads and disks

Richard53

takman wrote: »

Braking systems are really very simply and watching a video on YouTube really is all the information you need to change disks and pads. There isn't much you can get wrong if your paying attention and take your time.

I don't disagree that changing pads and discs is usually straightforward, and the design is such that you either get it right or it's obvious that you've made a mistake. But when someone says

BananaRepublic wrote: »

I am good at DIY, but have hardly worked on a car and do not have any special tools.

then I wonder if that person might be best starting off with something simple like an oil change and working up from there.


I'm a big fan of DIY and I would always encourage someone to get stuck in, but with something like brakes I would always advise having someone with experience check the work until the person feels competent. If you disagree with that, fine.

arcon5

So what can op get wrong that would be catastrophic without realising? Not much really

straighttalker

Not much he can get wrong but the job can turn into a bit of a !!!!! very easily. Seized slider pins or calliper bolts, seized pistons, etc etc.

Having said that, I do like changing discs and pads and have done them on many cars. Youtube can be a mine of information and you can usually get a video of someone doing the same car as yours.

chrisw

I find it one of the more satisfying jobs.

Pretty straight forward, but a bit of a challenge and you end up with nice shiny discs and pads which you know have been done properly, will last a few years and you've saved a few quid on garage costs.

bmw528i

cheapest quote I had for my BMW was £467 pads + discs on all four corners. I've just had all four wheels off and checked the pads plus discs and only the rear pads need changing!


Just ordered the parts for front and rear pads + sensors £89. A hugh saving plus I'm not being conned changing discs which are still good.


If you can DIY.

lee678

arcon5 wrote: »

So what can op get wrong that would be catastrophic without realising? Not much really

one of the pads in wrong way round, seen that before now, pushes pistons back too quickly to fit new pads damages abs pump, seen that before now, rounds off a tight fixing, seen that before, cut knuckle, seen that before now, but seriously, by the time youve bought the correct tools, coppaslip, brake cleaner, axle stand, you might as well let local friendly do it.

Strider590

bmw528i wrote: »

cheapest quote I had for my BMW was £467 pads + discs on all four corners. I've just had all four wheels off and checked the pads plus discs and only the rear pads need changing!


Just ordered the parts for front and rear pads + sensors £89. A hugh saving plus I'm not being conned changing discs which are still good.


If you can DIY.

On modern cars, the discs are just as "consumable" as the pads, changing both is relatively normal. Running new pads into old discs can impair braking performance substantially.

straighttalker

You're right. A a decent indie would probably only charge an hour or two of labour to do a front or rear set of brakes. If you were to do it yourself, you'd have to invest in a socket set if you didn't already have one, maybe some torx or hex sockets, caliper rewind tool/pipe wrench, brake cleaner, copper grease etc etc but once you've made that investment, you can do lots of sets of brakes.

As another poster has mentioned, it is quite a satisfying job to do on your own car.

s_b

of course on something like germanys finest engineering merchandise like an up then its also feasible that pushing the caliper pistons back sends the abs unit into meltdown if one was to say rush it or worse not know what ones doing
i always think brain surgery just like brakes are best left to those that do it for a living
messing with an old viva on a sunday afternoon and breaking stuff to see how to fix it is perfectly ok though as it doesn't need to go down the M4 tommos

takman

lee678 wrote: »

...but seriously, by the time youve bought the correct tools, coppaslip, brake cleaner, axle stand, you might as well let local friendly do it.

A few years ago I bought a jack, axle stands, spanners, socket set, wind back tool and consumables such as copper grease, gloves etc. This all cost less than £100 total. By the time I had changed discs and pads on one of my cars plus drop links I've saved more than £100 labour. Since then I've done work on both my cars, my parents cars, partners cars, partners parents car, grand parents cars. Buying the tools may not save you money on the first job but you need to look at the money it will save beyond that!.

Plus then you know it's been done properly!