I have a 87 (non ABS) that needs new front brake pads.
I don't have a manual, but would like to know how to replace them.
Any steps, tips, or tricks will be greatly appreciated!

 

Front pads are easy. With the front end up in the air, and the wheel off, look at you caliper. You will notice two bolts holding the caliper to the mounting bracket, via the two floating pins.

At this point, compress the caliper with a large C-clamp, channel-locks, or a pad spreading tool, to push the piston back into it's bore.

Then, loosen the bottom mounting bolt, and 'flip' the caliper up, and you can actually let it rest on top of the rotor.

Paying attention to the orientation of the little metal clips that hold the pads into the bracket in case you find yourself removing them. For a simple pad replacement, you shouldn't need to.

Pull the old pads from the bracket and clips, noting their orientation, and the fact that the pad with the wear indicator goes towards the center of the car, and now insert the new pads. This may take some finesse, as they do fit snuggly, and can by trying to install the first time around.

'Flip' the caliper back down, and reinstall the bolt. Now, reinstall the wheel, and drop to the ground.

Take for a road test, and try a couple of hard panic stops to help seat the new pads...

 

Thanks MaxWgn for the info!
Do you suggest OEM pads or will a generic set from an auto parts store (Pep Boys, Autozone, Kragens, etc.) will do?

 

Autozone sells a set of semi-metallic OEM replacement pads for about $17. They also have a set of performance pads for about $40.

The thing to remember is, always use the semi-metallic, no matter what. I personally have not been able to try the good pads, due to budget constraints. I have, however, had good luck with the $17 OEM quality set.

The funny part about your post is, I just had a caliper go bad, and it had worn the almost new pads on the right front down to the metal before I could get the time to fix it. Last night, it fully seized down, and almost wrecked the rotor...so there I was, in the dark, changing out a caliper (I'd recently bought one to replace this one with, as the bracket on my original was messed up.), and pads...now THAT'S what I call fun!

 

Thanks MaxWgn. Will probably change them out this weekend. I'll post how it went.

 

MaxWgn:
Everything went well with the installation (just like you said), thank you.