Brake pad change

[jimiw]

Hi

How difficult is changing the brake pads and should I leave this up to my mechanic for the relatively low cost (about $150 inc parts) as I’m hesitant to do brakes myself - I’m fine with engine oil and fuel filter etc but doing something to with the brakes worries me a little. Or is it easy and quite foolproof to get wrong?

[craka]

Really not that difficult to do, but really need to know what you are doing, as you don't want to stuff it up being the brakes and then not being able to stop.

If you want to do it you should do some more research, by using a gregories or similar and other media sources etc.


The basics of it is remove the wheel, remove one of the caliper bolts swing it away from the the disc, take the pads outs, remove the shim from the old pads fit to the new pads. Take the cap off the brake fluid and possibly remove some of the fluid at maximum level then using something soft like timber (so as not to mar the pistons) place inside the caliper over the pistons and push back using a G-clamp (some say you shouldn't do this with ABS, I have done it numerous times with no ill effect, otherwise will need to crack bleed nipple and then bleed brakes after). Need to push the pistons back to fit the new pads in as they will be thicker in material. Using brake grease, grease the caliper slide pins. Fit the new pads with the old shims attached to them, orientating the pads in the caliper correctly, swing the caliper back over the disk, rebolt the caliper , tighten to correct torque. Start car, pump brake, noting fluid level and topping if necessary until the brake feel become firm. Obviously once done both front sides of vehicle and put wheels back on, lower vehicle back on ground and cautiously check that you have brake function. Then similarly do for rear. Check the new pad details to see if require bedding after being fitted.
That is the basics but as said, do more reading elsewhere for better understanding. Do not do if you don't feel confident.

All stated with no liability taken. Do your due diligence.

[Gumboot]

Everything craka said. Relatively easy. It's the next step up from what you have been doing. Read a bit about it. Pull a wheel off and have a look. Take your time.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[whereswes]

Thoughts on pad change

What would be a safe brake pad minimum thickness?

Currently have 4.5mm right rear and 5mm on all others but have a trip to Wonangatta at end of month which will be hard on brakes (particularly with the auto).

Cheers
Wes

[Pajero12]

What would be a safe brake pad minimum thickness?

Currently have 4.5mm right rear and 5mm on all others but have a trip to Wonangatta at end of month which will be hard on brakes (particularly with the auto).

Cheers
Wes

Hey Wes,

There should be wear indicators on the metal plates that sit behind each pad, if they're touching your disc, they will squeal. Maybe check the manual?

I have always bled my brake lines when changing pads.

[old Jack]

What would be a safe brake pad minimum thickness?

Currently have 4.5mm right rear and 5mm on all others but have a trip to Wonangatta at end of month which will be hard on brakes (particularly with the auto).

Cheers
Wes

Service Manual,states 1.5mm front pads and 2mm rear pads. New pads are 9.5mm front and 10mm rear.

OJ.

[whereswes]

Thanks OJ, Think I'll be OK if I have to leave it until after the trip.

Thanks Pajero12. Me too on the bleed.

Cheers
Wes

[XLS PB Challenger]

Rotors disc brakes

While we are on brakes, has anyone upgraded/changed their factory rotors? My front rotors are currently warped and wondering whether to machine or change them over to say DBA rotors or similar.

Cheers
Paul

[Toddyh]

While we are on brakes, has anyone upgraded/changed their factory rotors? My front rotors are currently warped and wondering whether to machine or change them over to say DBA rotors or similar.

Cheers
Paul

I've got DBA T2. Had them for about 3-4 years now plus had them on previous vehicle too. Good things.

[pb4x2]

brake pad change

I bought a 2011 MN Triton a year ago which i am very happy with apart from the fact it had new brake pads fitted and dust up the alloys making the vehicle look unloved. My question is what brand low dust pads you would recommend?
Darryl

[craka]

I bought a 2011 MN Triton a year ago which i am very happy with apart from the fact it had new brake pads fitted and dust up the alloys making the vehicle look unloved. My question is what brand low dust pads you would recommend?
Darryl

I'm of the opinion that softer compounds will usually be more efficient at braking (ie have better braking capacity) but do to so would produce more dust as a consequence.

Longer wearing pads would have a harder compound, thus less dust but less efficient at braking.

[old Jack]

I replaced my front discs, as they were warped, with DBA2208S T2 rotors, DBA do a selection of 8 different disc so depending on your budget and use then there is a disc for you.

I also fitted Bendix 4wd pads front and rear at the same time, no bedding in required and nice pedal feel, good braking and no fade but at 40,000kms all 4 pads were worn to the limit, NOT HAPPY JAN, as I had got 80,000kms of the original pads. Replaced again with Bendix 4wd but are having discussions with Bendix on why the short life. I had used Bendix 4wd on previous manual transmission 4wds and got a 120,000+kms out of a set of pads, the Challenger being an auto trans I was happy with 80,0000kms out of the factory pads and was hoping for at least the same life but better performance from the Bendix 4wd. Work in progress on this one at the moment.

OJ.

[bigdave]

I replaced my front discs, as they were warped, with DBA2208S T2 rotors, DBA do a selection of 8 different disc so depending on your budget and use then there is a disc for you.

I also fitted Bendix 4wd pads front and rear at the same time, no bedding in required and nice pedal feel, good braking and no fade but at 40,000kms all 4 pads were worn to the limit, NOT HAPPY JAN, as I had got 80,000kms of the original pads. Replaced again with Bendix 4wd but are having discussions with Bendix on why the short life. I had used Bendix 4wd on previous manual transmission 4wds and got a 120,000+kms out of a set of pads, the Challenger being an auto trans I was happy with 80,0000kms out of the factory pads and was hoping for at least the same life but better performance from the Bendix 4wd. Work in progress on this one at the moment.

OJ.

Thats not good OJ. I got just shy of 100,000 on my OEM pads and replaced with Bendix 4wd about a year ago. Will be interesting to see how they fair on my vehicle. I’ll be keeping a close eye. Thanks

[pb4x2]

brake pad change

I'm of the opinion that softer compounds will usually be more efficient at braking (ie have better braking capacity) but do to so would produce more dust as a consequence.

Longer wearing pads would have a harder compound, thus less dust but less efficient at braking.

Totally agree with you Craka, your opinion is actually a fact. What I am looking for is low dust pads on the soft side that will be kind to the discs (rotors) and perform well. If all else fails I may buy genuine as I don't this issue with my PB Challenger.
Darryl