anyone know where i can find a write up for changing rear brakes? i just replaced the fronts and planning to do the rear brakes. is the procedure the same for both? holla

 

ya if you can do the front you'll be able to do the rear, also you'll need a rear brake tool

 

Get a Haynes manual and rent the brake tool from Autozone.

 

whats the rear brake tool?

 

Go to the Autozone website, they have a nice repair section that does include front and rear brake service. Nice pics and instructions.

 

A rear brake tool is a special tool used for most rear disc brake systems. It allows you to push the caliper piston in. Since the rear caliper requires the use of turning the compressing the piston at the same time, therefore a special tool is required. When you go to Autozone just ask for the rear brake caliper tool. or something like that.

 

yeah and if autozone isnt open late today, then use needle nose pliers and insert them into the notches and turn it that way, its tougher, but it gets the job done

 

Brake tool

 

Leave one of the bolts attched to the caliper mount so you can turn the piston easier.

 

http://webpages.charter.net/chunger/Rearbrakes.htm

 

i wouldn't even bother with the needle nose pliers...way to hard!!!! the toolkit is available at autozone for 35 and they refund your money when u bring it back. it takes like 5 minutes to do the back brakes with the tool. IMO that little square thing is a waste...never tried it on my max, but on my suburban it didnt work too well...renting tool from autozone is definately your best bet. good luck
phil

 

thanks guys, on a side note when i was doing the front brakes...my raybestos qs pads came with some type of sticky brake shims? i used them along with the old metal shims when i put the new brakes on? should i have used both???

 

u don't need both...pads should come with shims no matter what...throw the old ones away. well...thats what i did atleast, no problems 18k later

 

anyone else confirm this?

 

bump bump bump

 

Yes, the Raybestos pads come with those adhesive shims. Don't need to use the old ones.

 

thanks...i put both on...should i take the metal ones off now?

 

Might as well buy the rear brake tool. Costed me $6. Comes in handy.

 

did my rear brakes today. took a while to get the piston turned in with needle nose pliers..but i think i did ok overall. thanks for the info guys...now i have to try and replace the seized parking brake cable

 

I took my car to Maxima when they offered a free inspection. They told me that my emergency brake cable was in need of repair. I don't remember how much they quoted me but could you let me know how tough it is and what to look for. I'd appreciate it!

 

Sears has the universal rear brake tool too.

Now I just have to figure out why my right rear caliper likes
to stick every so often... Pain in the ***!!!

 

Is there a big difference between stopping power with OEM and "cheaper" aftermarket pads? Thing is, I have all OEM in the rear and I don't know what I have in front. My stopping power does suck, doesn't feel like the pads actually grab. So you think by not having OEM pads in the front is hurting me? I'm not actually sure if I do though.

 

Great thread.. I'm going to be going with a Brembo kit. I have a heavy foot and a slower response time. Enough said my stock rotors are toasted.

 

Cant say anything about performance pad, but stay away from pad that have unlimited lifetime warranties. Those pads have some much metal in them that they
destroy the rotors before they go bad. So instead of changing pads in the future, you change rotors.... DOH!