DIY: One worth Stopping for: Changing xB Front Brake Pads

[ROFL Box]

Editors Note: This will also work for an xA, but not a tC...

Brake Pads are

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads005.jpg

MSRP 29.99 from autozone

Lay out your tools
-Floor Jack and Jack Stand-12/14/16/18 Mil wrenches-Metric socket set-Big 'C' clamp-Large Flat Screw Driver

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads004.jpg

Pop your hood, Locate the Brake Fluid Resovior

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads031.jpg

Remove the Cap

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads029.jpg

Place Jack underneath car and remove tire

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads007.jpg

***Important Note***
Do NOT remove these two bolts on the calipers... they hold the caliper together...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads010.jpg

look at the back of the caliper to see where it bolts to the suspension...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads011.jpg

undo the two 18MIL bolts

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads013.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads012.jpg

Pull the caliper free

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads014.jpg

Remove the outside pad (the one not up against the piston) place the 'C' clamp on the pad to fully compress the piston so that you can get your new pad in easily

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads019.jpg

Old pad Vs New Pad

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads018.jpg

Take a piece of fine grit sand paper on a block, and gently clean the surface of the rotors with some brake cleaner...

*Important* make sure your in a well ventilated area before you do that

Load the Caliper and bolt it back to the car

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads020.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads022.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e336/Superfa1/brake%20pads/brakepads028.jpg

Make sure all bolts are tight, put tire back on car, and do other side...

Once you finish the other side... start the car, and once it runs for a second pump the brake pedal until it gets very stiff (the first few times it should go to the floor with very little effort, that is normal) then place the cap back on the reservoir for the brake fluid, put your tools away, wash up, and Return to Scikotics

[ntwrkguru]

Nice write-up Don... I hate those pads tho... WAY too much dust.

[ROFL Box]

I havent had a prob with em... but then again, I clean my chrome wheels with WD40.....

[Iateacricket]

I clean mine with windex!

[Uncle_Unix]

Very cool

Thank you!!

I have this & the head unit change marked for the front :clap:

[Toast]

Nice Don, thanks for the great write up!

Can you do "I think they call it SHAVED" write up on how to shave EVERYTHING ?

[ROFL Box]

Nice Don, thanks for the great write up!

Can you do "I think they call it SHAVED" write up on how to shave EVERYTHING ?

Are you Serious????

[Brimmer555]

what about the drum brakes on the back wheels?

[james stalls]

Thanks for this DIY, I use this sit on Saturday to relpace my front brakes.
Was very detailed except for taking off the disk to have them turned.
thanks again.

Do you know were the best price on service mannuals may be found?

[keiblerfan69]

Thanks for the the guide, I gotta change the pads on my mom's xB.

[mmmgawa]

I know this thread is super old as is the DIY but as a former mechanic if you are not taking the rotors off eg: doing a pad slap. It is far easier to take the bolts that the DIY says not to take out out.

[Vanniek71]

I agree Scott, those 2 bolts are actually the only ones you need to remove if you are doing the "pad slap" method.

[Vanniek71]

and actually he left out a tool you will definately need if you are going to change your own brake pads....or do any kind of work on your car for that matter


(beer)
http://www.juliosliquors.com/images/beer1.gif