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DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 6:15 pm
by Lancer1993
So looked through some of the post on the site and could find one with a help guide to do work on your brakes, like replacing pads and/or the rotors and other work. So just asking for some helpful tips on what is needed and the basic steps to do this kind of work at home and save a packed on mechanic fees.

I know you need a jack and a level area to work, maybe stands to make it safer as the wheel is likely to be off the car a few hours in total.

Do we need brake cleaner or any grease? I was told you need a special grease (or something) to put on the pads to stop them squeaking (not the pad surface).

What tools should I have and what should I be careful with when doing the work?

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 6:42 pm
by lancerdarryl
I’ll do you a list later tonight

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 7:10 pm
by Lancer1993
Thanks, its probably the small things we overlook that can be an expensive mistake.

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:39 pm
by lancerdarryl
Other things required apart from your toolkit and jack etc
6 inch g clamp to push the calliper pistons back in.
Hi temp grease to regrease the slide pins in the calipers
Some medium strength Loctite for the calliper mounting bolts
Can of brake Kleen to clean up the faces of the new rotors
You'll need to remove some brake fluid from the master cyl before you push the pistons back.There a 2 options
1 suck the fluid out with a syringe
2 A small length of hose on the bleed nipple going to a container and open the bleeder as you push in the piston.
Do one wheel at a time and DONT FORGET TO PUMP UP THE PEDAL BEFORE THE TEST DRIVE
You may have to back off the hand brake shoe adjuster to get the rear rotor off. Check your adjustment on reassembly before you put the new pads in ...it's easier to get a good adjustment without the drag of the pads.
Clean up any rust/dirt off the hub flanges so the rotor sits nice and flush
If the old rotor is stuck on the hub you can use the two M8x1.25 threaded holes with jacking bolts or just give it a good whack with a rubber mallet.
Lightly grease up the wheelstuds when you refit the wheels

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 6:19 am
by bumblebee
Very good write up.lancerdaryl.
If your going to do this , you may want to consider throwing some "speed bleeder" at each calipers as well.
They aren't all that expansive and will make bleeding the brakes a lol easier in the future.

Also remember , if you get this all wrong and hit the road and hit someone else your in all kinds of trouble.

A service manual might be a good idea as well

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 8:32 am
by Lancer1993
Quite a list to work though, much of which I didn't do when I chucked some front M21 callipers on my CC coupe a few years back.

Still to order the parts so I know what else I'll need, as this is my only transport I can't exactly go down to SCA half way through the install.

Thanks again.

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 9:17 am
by bumblebee
Lancer1993 wrote:Quite a list to work though, much of which I didn't do when I chucked some front M21 callipers on my CC coupe a few years back.


If you want to do the job right in the first place there is much to be done .
Sadly many people who zero clue about brakes try and do it themselves and come badly unstuck when their brakes fail and hurt innocent people.
This then turns bad when the police and insurance company are involved.
Plus putting other's lives at risk just for the sake of savings a few $ and doing it yoursel.
I do get concerned when someone has to ask on a forum about brake replacement.
If you need to ask about brakes you shouldn't be touching it in the first place.
Spend some time in a hospital and you might understand where I'm coming from.
The same can be said for attachment of extra Electrical device to OEM wiring without a extra wiring harness.
It may work , however , it doesn't mean it's right.

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 6:32 pm
by Quismiff
Hopefully doing mine this weekend, if i remember to I'll take pictures...

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 7:08 pm
by Lancer1993
Like I said I've done a calliper swap with no experience using used parts, turned out good.

I still have to contact the dealer and ask their price and if they will do the work without genuine Mitsy parts, so I might get it done at the next service. Not that I doubt my abilities but with a interstate trip planned for late in the year I don't want to be stuck 100s of kays from home on the side of an outback road.

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 7:32 pm
by bumblebee
Avoid the local stealership.

Talk to these guys

https://www.rapidtune.com.au/

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 8:09 pm
by Lancer1993
Bit out of range for me since I'm on the Sun Shine Coast.

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 8:15 pm
by bumblebee
I will happily give you $50 for fuel to get your car to a decent mechanic so the job is done right that way you and other road users are safe

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2019 8:18 pm
by Lancer1993
Um I have not problem driving to a mechanic, but don't know if $50 is gonna cover driving from here to Melbourne some 1900km away LOL

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2019 10:16 pm
by bumblebee
Rapid tune is in Queensland

Re: DIY Brake Rotor Work what is needed?

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 4:33 pm
by Lancer1993
Still Pretty sure there are competent mechanics here on the Sunshine coast, I know of at least 4 workshops (including Repco) within walking distance of work, which is idea to leave the car for half a day.