Do Your Own Brakes?

nate95366 · 07-07-2007, 10:20 AM

Yesterday morning I changed front brake pads on the family car (2005 Chrysler Town & Country) and I got to wondering how many other people work (or are willing to work) on their own brakes. I'm a science teacher by trade, but I have two brothers and a couple of friends who are either very good shade-tree mechanics or professionally licensed mechanics, so I have people to call on if things go awry. I've also got plenty of time on my hands in the summer. Anyways, how many of you work on your brakes?

Nate

bobthecockroach · 07-07-2007, 11:01 AM

My brother and I replaced brake pads on the front of my Taurus. On the back, the parking brake gets in the way, so I took it somewhere.

**H.M. Murdock** · 07-07-2007, 11:30 AM

I'm getting ready to replace the brakes on my CRV. They're getting squeaky. Sure, I have no clue what I'm doing. But I didn't know how to change oil, either, and that worked out just fine. *wink*

***Pauler*** · 07-07-2007, 11:42 AM

i have replaced my own brake pads before. now i am thinking of doing some suspension work b/c my struts are going out.

Nate · 07-07-2007, 12:13 PM

I've run entirely new brake lines before with my dad. I'm not sure I'd do that again, but it saved a lot of money (the lines cost like $10, as I remember... all the expense of taking it somewhere would have been for labor). It wasn't actually that hard, but it was a real pain to figure out how to get everything to fit right where it was supposed to and we had a heck of a time bending the brake lines without crimping them.

gtrdave · 07-07-2007, 03:26 PM

I just replaced pads and rotors on my car last weekend.
My wife's van is up next...probably in the next month. I've already got the parts so it should be a breeze.
I've been doing my own brakes (and much more) for 25 years now.
I enjoy auto repair/restoration.
It makes me

JesusFrEaK0077 · 07-07-2007, 03:28 PM

My brother does all the car repairs on his and my mom's trucks... And also my dad's vehicles... I'm learning some stuff though.

zekthedeadcow · 07-07-2007, 03:33 PM

always replaced pads... also spliced my brake and fuel lines on my old 91 Nissan maxima... there were two tricks to that:

1. had to shape the lines with a hand pipe bender

2. had to not get them mixed up

my dads a great mechanic... so we do practically everything ourselves... of course life got oh so much easier when he finally got an engine hoist... as transmissions no longer like to be 'dropped' but rather 'pulled'... ugh...

Wolvrin704 · 07-07-2007, 04:02 PM

I do all my brake work myself.

My F150 gets new pads every year and rotors every 2-3 years.

I have done all rotors and pads on my wife's Infiniti I30. Best rotors I have ever seen as they have threaded holes to use bolts to push the rotor off rather than beating them off.

When my Mustang needs brakes I will be doing them as well.

Andrew · 07-07-2007, 05:41 PM

I do my own maintenance and car repair. Regardless of what it is. I wouldn't mind rebuilding my own engine in my kitchen, were it to become necessary.

I enjoy car repair/maintenance because it is challenging, without becoming difficult or confusing.

**redbaron** · 07-08-2007, 12:38 AM

i've got a new set of calipers/pads/rotors for the talon (big brake upgrade) and stainless steel lines for all four corners. Would've installed it all today but not one is around to help me bleed the lines, and having a driveable car > upgrades.

Wally · 07-08-2007, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbaron

i've got a new set of calipers/pads/rotors for the talon (big brake upgrade) and stainless steel lines for all four corners. Would've installed it all today but not one is around to help me bleed the lines, and having a driveable car > upgrades.

modding two dsms = severe mental handicap

Yep, work on my own car, brakes, suspension, engine stuff, etc. Only thing I didn't do was rebuild the transmission, but did take it out myself and deliver it to them to be rebuilt.

Symbiotic · 07-08-2007, 04:14 PM

on the car i can do all the front brake work easily, but the rear i havn't tried yet...we'll see how that goes....i should inspect them soon

on the truck i can do the front pads easily, but it's a 4x4 with automatic locking hubs and i can't figure out how to get the rotors off....my Haines manual doesn't go into that....i've got the pads and rotors sitting in my appt. waiting to get done, but i don't want to do one without the other...my rotors are glazed from hardening and warped....and for the rear, it's the same as the car....

**redbaron** · 07-08-2007, 06:44 PM

sounds like you need a different manual. disassembly of automatic hubs is actually complicated enough to where having a book that describes it is very handy. I did it on my 4runner a couple times (axles/brakes/bearings & such), and it's just a pain the first time. You will probably need a brass hammer or punch though, because usually they have some cone-lockwashers that need to be popped out via a pretty good wallop, but a steel hammer will damage the bolts they sit on.

b_hoves · 07-08-2007, 09:17 PM

I have worked on the brakes on all the cars I or my family has had, except for one. It was a 1982 series 3 Jag, to get to the rear brakes you have to drop the whole diff out. Because like some old Alfas the brakes are pretty much against the diff housing.

But other then that I’ve do all the brake work myself, or with the help of my dad.