I was wondering how hard it was to change your own brakes drum and disc because i feel like why not just learn how to do it myslef becauee its good to know and saves some cash, so i need to so can someone tell me how to do this becuse i have no idea, never though of doing them before now??? thanks guys
CK5
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Doing your own brakes
- Thread starter TC4x4
- Start date
The Mule said:
Get thee to your local parts store and get a repair manual, like a Chilton's or a Hayne's.
Best fifteen or twenty bucks you can spend; you'll find out what you can fix and what you can't. Since you've no idea what you're doing, for God's sake don't tear into the brakes without a clue... they're a major safety item, ya know?
I used to be in your shoes (haha, shoes! get it?) and now do my own everything, brakes included, upgraded to hydroboost, you name it.
With a decent set of tools -- the manual will tell you what you'll need -- and patience you can do most maintenance items yourself, including brakes.
-- A
83_Shortbed
Registered Member
x2 read into how to do it before just diggin and ask questions if you don't understand or aren't sure. IMO disks are usually pretty easy drums I haven't gotten into myself but have the tools to do it when it come time to. Also unless you know the previous owner and feel comfortable with how they maintained the truck I would recomend that you replace hardware ie springs etc since alot of us have found that our trucks were owned and/or repaired by a dumb arse or 3 before we got it
83_Shortbed said:
Drums are easy, if you like four hundred fiddly little bits of hardware that all have to go together in exactly the right order.
One tip: do one side at a time, so you can go look at the other side to see how it's supposed to fit back together (remembering that it's mirrored, of course.)
But amen, discs are easier.
-- A
83_Shortbed
Registered Member
dremu said:
I've heard that before and that was what my plan was unless I somehow magicly come up with the $ to just convert the rear to disks first
roadnotca
3/4 ton status
'nother tip; no greasy or oilly finger prints on the friction mat'l.
pvfjr
1/2 ton status
Yeah, first time I did drums, I took several good pics of it before I started taking all the springs and everything out. Ended up getting it back together without the pics, but it was nice to know I had them to refer too. There's a lot of pieces, that have to be put back in the right sequence. A good manual will make it easier.
If you got a C-clamp, then the front discs are cake.
If you got a C-clamp, then the front discs are cake.
roadnotca
3/4 ton status
Easier than that, while the old pads are still in, remove the two caliper bolts but leave it in place, use your biggest screwdriver and wedge the inner pad back into the caliper.pvfjr said:
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pvfjr
1/2 ton status
I've had that work too. I've also bent my best screwdriver doing it (don't have any truely big screwdrivers). That particular vehicle probably needed new calipers, but either way the c-clamp came to our rescue that time. I've also stuck a steering wheel puller inside the caliper before, with the old pad still covering the cavity in the piston. Works pretty quick.roadnotca said:
roadnotca
3/4 ton status
I'm talking at least 12" screwdriver, made from square rod instead of round rod, or even a nailbar.
roadnotca said:I'm talking at least 12" screwdriver, made from square rod instead of round rod, or even a nailbar.
lol i didnt know that there was Rednecks like us on the west coast too!
roadnotca
3/4 ton status
I cleens ma teath wid a 16D nayl.slyguy_22 said:lol i didnt know that there was Rednecks like us on the west coast too!
roadnotca said:I cleens ma teath wid a 16D nayl.
It's "TEEF", and ya ain't no redneck if ya'all gots more than won toof.
-- A
lectric80
3/4 ton status
Ok in all seriousness here, changing brakes is a pretty easy job. Disc brakes are cake and can be done in about 15 minutes, just make sure you pump the brakes back up before you move the vehicle (ask me how I know). Drum's are complicated at first, but a good manual, and doing one side at a time can make it cake. After you do it the first time, it will get easier, but it can be a little intimidating on the first time. Look at the bright side, at least you aren't trying to do a Yota Land Cruiser from the sixties with dual wheel cylinders.
roadnotca
3/4 ton status
Or an Alfa Romeo from sixties with three.
lectric80 said:
Oh yeah ... after you compress the caliper with the tool as discussed above, you gotta pump it back down ... or else that first stop when you start it up ... doesn't.
Yeah, once the brakes are back together and you're gonna back her down the driveway, pump the brakes three or four times, until the pads seat. Otherwise it's scary
cuz the truck won't stop.-- A
broncoman6524
1/2 ton status
dremu said:Yeah, once the brakes are back together and you're gonna back her down the driveway, pump the brakes three or four times, until the pads seat. Otherwise it's scary
yeah my buddied pulled out of my shop w/o pumping his brakes..my shop opens up to the lake aoub t100foot away he didnt stop till like 10ft from it...we were both like "oh Sh*T!"
haha but after blowing out a line doin 60mph forgerting to pump the brakes adn getting that feelign while doin 5aint no thang!
