Rear Brakes/Rotors Replacement

[zepsongs]

Sorry if this topic has been covered before, but it seems that every where I look the instructions vary a bit. Basically I need to do my rear brake pads and rotors. I already have the new pads & rotors but upon doing another quick search to make sure I have all my bases covered, one poster suggested that you would need the hardware kit as well (http://www.fcpgroton.com/images/084-0923.jpg). Today is the only day I have free to do this until next weekend, it's calling for rain all week and I do need the car to drive to work.

Also, some posters have mentioned about collapsing the calipers, how do I do this and is it a requirement or is it just to ensure ample room to install the new pads? One final question, no where do I see any instructions on how to put the new rotors on. Is there anything I need to do with the e-brake or should they just slide back on with a little leverage? Do I need to clean, adjust or lube anything to do this? TIA!!

[Ozark Lee]

If you have the hardware kit, by all means use it. If you don't just make sure you apply a very light coat of grease to the pins.
Unless something is broken you should be fine re-using the old parts.

As far as collapsing the calipers yes, it is essential or you will never get then new pads back in place around the rotors. I purchased a caliper tool years ago at Advance Auto Parts that makes the job quite easy but before I had the tool I simply used a large screwdriver to pry the pad back against the rotor. Be sure to leave the old pads on to compress the piston on the caliper as it will do some damage to the pad surface no matter what method you use. Also go slowly, with a steady pressure. The piston does not compress quickly.

As far as the emergency brake goes, it depends on how worn or rusted they are. The rotor may come right off or you may need to release the tension on the shoes to release the rotor. Check the repair database for a writeup I did on changing the emergency brake shoes for the details on how to adjust them. I think I described how to tighten them, you need to go the opposite way to loosen them.

The last thing is that, even with the emergency brake shoes loosened, the rotor often rusts to the hub and it is very difficult to remove. A few whacks with a 5 lb. sledge hammer will free it up.

Happy repairs,

...Lee

[zepsongs]

Thank you very much!! I found your e-brake writeup and it answers my questions perfectly. I was wondering though if you could send me a pic or show me a link for the caliper tool you use? I've done a search for "caliper tool" and there are so many results that I would prefer to buy the tool that is known to work. Thanks once again!!

[zepsongs]

Do you know if this would work on Volvo?

http://www.autozone.com/R,NONAPP1232/st ... Detail.htm

[JFO]

I use a large C clamp which works very well and is easy to find a t any hardware store. Take off the old pads, put the clamp over the the back of the caliper and the piston, slowly tighten the clamp. I think the clamp has about 6" opening.

Jim

[chuckcintron]

Just FYI...I use a pair of 18" channel-lock pliers to compress either the front or rear pistons:

http://www.curbly.com/uploads/photos/00 ... _large.jpg

Besides being handy for this job, these pliers are just darn handy to have around.

Except on my son's Honda Prelude where the rear calipers need to be SCREWED down to retract. I almost blew the tendons in my hand trying to muscle it back in before I realized what the large slot cut into the face of the (solid) piston was for...duh...

-Chuck

[zepsongs]

Thanks for all your help!!! They were calling for rain so I decided to get to work before it hit. I actually ended up using the largest flathead screwdriver I have and it worked perfectly!! The old rotors were a pain to get off, but a little liquid wrench and a large rubber mallet did the trick.

Next weekend, the front brakes!!!