I've never even done a brake pad job, but I've got my Chilton manual and you guys...lol.

With basic Crafstman tools, should I be able to pull this off on my own?

On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being a 3rd grader can do it and 10 being "take it to a mechanic"...what would you rate it?

Also, time involved? Do I have to bleed the brakes?

 

You will need a large c clamp to push the front calipers back in, not a basic crafstman set. And a special tool or large needle nose to turn the rears back in.

Front breaks = 1

1st time doing it should take you about 1 1/2 hrs. 2nd time will take you 30-45 minutes. They are that easy. Make sure you follow the chilton step by step.

No you don't hvae to bleed the brakes.

 

Definately a DIY job. It makes me mad when I think about how much shops charge for a simple brake job.

 

Go for it! Teach yourself something - its good for you.

 

thanks...I'm only doing the fronts myself and I'll have my father-in-law with his Snap-On set help with the backs...

I'm going for it...

I'll either report back all is good or it'll make for a heck of a crash!

 

it is really pretty easy to do. It only took me about 35-40 minutes to do both of my fronts the first time I did it.

 

When I first started working on cars it took me a little bit of time to do it but now that I've got bunch of experience under my belt, it only takes me about 20 mins from wheel off to wheel on. That includes replacing rotors and pads and cleaning off the hub surface.

 

just make sure the pads are facing the right way :-D
nothing like putting everything back together, going to stop the first time, and hearing that metal to metal screech

 

heh funny this comes up now... I just got done doing my fronts... You might wat to get some brake squeal grease to put on the back of the pads. Very easy to do.

 

i just replaced my front pads and rotors 2 days ago!! i got Ceramix pads and wagner rotors cleaned calipers up nice, Bed'd the breaks and wow what a difference you'll need a 12 mm socket and ratchet for the 2 bolts on the caliper if i recall correctly.. and check to see if your rotors are ribbed or if they are smooth... if ribbed take to local break shop and see if they can turn them and make em smooth. if not spend 160 CDN and get a set of rotors... not regular cheapy's tho

 

Very simple to do. Just get a Haynes manual and a six pack and have at it. I had never did it before and it took me about 45 minutes for each side. A second grader could do it.

 

easy to do, but have some one with experience look over your shoulder. it's better to correct the problem before it is really a problem. brakes can save alife or cost one, better safe than..... oh save the beers til later.

 

Very easy to do yourself. Pick up a Haynes and the caliper piston tool from Autozone and go to town!

 

Yea man, it is really easy but if you said your father in law knows how than you should have him with you.

You dont want to mess up on brakes. But once you do learn, you will save yourself some serious money.

 

very easy to do but my suggestion is go to a place where they sell the repair manual like the haynes or chilton and buy it it is a good investment anyway specially for the ones that don't know a lot of mechanic

 

I just did the front brakes on my 3rd gen and i did not know how to do it but however i did it and i got it working. I am know doing the rear calipers and i know there nothing to play with there very different then the front ones right.?

I also wanted to know if the 4th gens are the same as the 3rd gen comparing the rear calipers if there the same process.

 

there rears you just have to screw in. instead of push in. and its a lot smaller =P

remember a very important step. TIGHTEN DOWN THE WHEELS after done.

 

Go ahead and try it.

Just be sure to reuse your brake shims. OEM Shims >>>> anti-squeal grease.

 

ide say go for it. gotta start someplace right? and pads are pretty easy. just make sure you note where the clips are and everything. youll be fine!

and incase you didnt know, dont put ANYTHING on the front of the pad (where it contacts the rotors)....not sayin youre stupid...just tryin to keep ya safe! haha

EDIT: oh yea, pump the brake pedal back up when youre done BEFORE you drive.

 

Did it!

The fronts were a snap, and the backs were giving me crap trying to compress the pistons with needle nose pliers. I went and got the loaner caliper piston tool and now I know to ALWAYS get that sucker...what a difference the tool makes.

Rears also had to deal with unhooking the parking brake to move the calipers around, but that was pretty easy.

Fronts = 1 hour total (and this was my first time)

Rears = 3 hours (but include a 45 minute trip to Autozone)

Thanks all!

 

Good job man, you saved some serious cash and garnered lots of experience

 

How have you owned a car and never changed brakes? I changed breaks when I was like 6. Hopefully you'll get it down to like. ..hopefully. a 30 min or less job o_o. If you have a car lift like myself. and way better tools. alot less than that.. o_O

 

You guys say dont push the rear's in? Is this true? I had loadned a tool from autozone and was trying to push the rear's in and it wasnt working. How do i turn them for it to go in?

 

There should be a slot on the piston that you turn (the whole piston turns).

 

The autozone tool should have instructions with it, but it's really simple. Find the endcap that fits your piston in the tool kit, then put that on the end of the tool. Then you put the tool between the piston and the "other plate". Then when you turn the pressure pushes against the plate and the other end turns the piston in.

 

just make sure u have all the tools b4 u start the job... or else u'll be bussing to part stores...

i'll rate it a 5... i dont think a third grader can do it... but i've seen 3rd graders smoking up these days... so anything is possible...

 

i got my rears done at a garage... first squeaky noises... and than the e-brake cable seized... i dont think he pushed it back properly... because he was trying all sorts of tools and finally got it in right... i'm pretty sure he fked up b4 it pushed back...

 

oh, changing the brakes is easy...just don't forget to take break them in. Go up to 20mph, hit the brakes, don't fully stop. then go up n blah blah blah...i forget the exact numbers....but you should be able to find it online. Also, just take it easy on the brakes for about 100 miles or so....still need to get the brake pads properly against the rotor 100%...

 

Did mine in a papa gino's parking lot in VA. We took are time with the C-clamp went slow. Did it in under 1 hour . Going to attempt rotors next month with a total brake job. We tossed the anti rattle springs which was on the 1999. Do not know if other models have them. I was told just forget them when I do the real job next month. Brembo Rotors /Akebono pads. from tirerack.com was a good deal. good luck

 

it is real easy. 14mm bolts, two per side. And if you want to replace rotors as well, simple too. Just two 19mm bolts. I did my front rotors and pads last weekend. Took about 45 minutes total. No reason to pay someone big bucks to do something so simple. If you can change your own oil, then there is no reason why you cant change brakes

 

One thing about the rear brake calipers. They seize up very easy. I learned the hard way. I could not turn the caliper back in for s*** on the drivers side, it was definitely siezed. The passenger side I brute forced it until it started to turn. I thought it was ok I put that side back together with new pads, replaced the caliper on the other side went on my merry way. Well the pass. side seized up and ripped through the pads and rotors. I was too busy to fix it myself and had to take it to the garage ( My wrenching time is limited, due to wife and kids), cost $300 dollars ouch!

So if the caliper pistons in the rear do not turn without brute force or one side is worn more than the other do yourself a favor and replace the calipers, in fact if it's been a long time you may want to replace both anyway to save yourself a headache. Then go have that beer!

 

I attempted to do it, and realized my C-clamp was about a centimeter too short . I guess I'll get a bigger one and try again this weekend.

 

you guys are building up my confidence. i have two rear calipers to replace,and i want to upgrade rotors as well.any of you guys know if the autozone calipers are any good? nissan oem way expensive.