first real wrench job

BlackVert

15 Year Member

Oct 3, 2003

5,589

9

98

Bethesda, MD

Sep 12, 2004

#1

• Sep 12, 2004

• #1

i just finished changing the rear break pads on my car. this is probably no big deal for most of you, but it is the first maintenance item i have done myself! the only other thing i have done myself is replace the maf and install the tweecer and the stereo.

what does it cost to have that done by a mechanic?

and i didn't break anything or cut myself open!

- chris

 

BlueOvalStangGT

Active Member

Oct 27, 2003

2,849

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46

Tampa Florida....USF!!!

Sep 12, 2004

#2

• Sep 12, 2004

• #2

ahhh i remember the day i first installed my xpipe and flows, gas was only a $2.33!

 

HoofnIt

Founding Member

Jan 8, 2001

1,175

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36

North Carolina

Sep 12, 2004

#3

• Sep 12, 2004

• #3

I need to change mine as well. Did you need any special tools or was it pretty straight forward? Any hints or suggestions?

 

final5-0

Mustang Master

Apr 6, 2003

6,817

12

79

DFW Texas

Sep 12, 2004

#4

• Sep 12, 2004

• #4

Good for you!!!

Gives you a sense of satisfaction, don't it.

Later
Grady

 

AznStanger3v

Active Member

Aug 11, 2003

2,026

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47

Northern VA

Sep 12, 2004

#5

• Sep 12, 2004

• #5

HoofnIt said:

I need to change mine as well. Did you need any special tools or was it pretty straight forward? Any hints or suggestions?

Click to expand...

get a c clamp to compress the piston in the caliper

 

BlackVert

15 Year Member

Oct 3, 2003

5,589

9

98

Bethesda, MD

Sep 12, 2004

#6

• Sep 12, 2004

• #6

17yrOldStanger said:

get a c clamp to compress the piston in the caliper

Click to expand...

apparenlty, the c clamp is ok for the fronts, but on the rears, you are not supposed to use a c clamp. you have to turn the piston clockwise to compress it again. i read you can use a pair of needle nose pliers, but i got the tool at Sears. some people call it a "Rubik's Cube" because it is a six sided cube shaped tool. i also have a carpenter's clamp which was really useful. i could tighten it down on the caliper to keep it in place while i was trying to line up the bolts when i was putting it back together.

i followed these instructions:

http://mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/brakepad1.htm


the clamp:

the "Rubik's Cube" - about $10 at Sears

hope this helps.

 

Sleepy McNastee

New Member

Feb 5, 2004

491

0

0

Lawrence, KS

Sep 12, 2004

#7

• Sep 12, 2004

• #7

Black96VertGT said:

apparenlty, the c clamp is ok for the fronts, but on the rears, you are not supposed to use a c clamp. you have to turn the piston clockwise to compress it again.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I messed up a clamp figuring out that you have to screw the rear pistons back in.

 

94GTStang

Founding Member

Oct 26, 2001

1,631

0

36

Oklahoma City

Sep 12, 2004

#8

• Sep 12, 2004

• #8

Yea, I forgot about turning in the piston. But I had to get the rubix cube from work and it did just fine.

I upgraded to Hawk pads on the rear and I love them!

 

super302

I'd do anything for free Bapples

May 29, 2004

2,878

1

0

Davenport, IA

Sep 12, 2004

#9

• Sep 12, 2004

• #9

good for you, feels good when you dont have to pay a mechanic your hard earned money

 

M

mustangmatt685

New Member

Apr 25, 2004

144

1

0

San Diego

Sep 13, 2004

#10

• Sep 13, 2004

• #10

make sure you disconnect the ebrake cable, its just a little "e" shaped clip and with needle nosed pliers it comes out, makes work much easier - box end wrenches are your friend too

 

89MustangGX

I have nothing productive to add!

Jul 3, 2001

10,262

1

0

Mill Creek, WA

Sep 13, 2004

#11

• Sep 13, 2004

• #11

Congrats -- great place to start.

 

BlackVert

15 Year Member

Oct 3, 2003

5,589

9

98

Bethesda, MD

Sep 14, 2004

#12

• Sep 14, 2004

• #12

89MustangGX said:

Congrats -- great place to start.

Click to expand...

thanks. next thing i think i'll try is checking my fuel pressure

 

AznStanger3v

Active Member

Aug 11, 2003

2,026

0

47

Northern VA

Sep 14, 2004

#13

• Sep 14, 2004

• #13

checking fuel pressure takes about 3 and a half minutes..... i think youll fair pretty well

 

gcomfx.com

Founding Member

Oct 22, 2002

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56

Republic, MO

Sep 14, 2004

#14

• Sep 14, 2004

• #14

3.5 minutes? How long does it take you to check the air in your tires?

Back on topic... it starts with the brakes, then the next thing you know you've pulled your tranny 3 times due to bad stall converters.

But at least I'm finally becoming a gearhead myself.

 

R

rudeone707

New Member

May 17, 2003

1,829

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0

Fairfield, Ca

Sep 14, 2004

#15

• Sep 14, 2004

• #15

gcomfx.com said:

Back on topic... it starts with the brakes, then the next thing you know you've pulled your tranny 3 times due to bad stall converters.

Click to expand...

or noisy TOBs.