What tools for front brakes

[KenH83]

I've got a 2005 Grand Prix GT and the dealership wants an absurd amount of money to do front brake pads and rotors.. What do I need besides a set of sockets and a C-Clamp (to push the caliper piston back) to change the front brake pads AND rotors .. do i need any special large hex or allen wrench to remove the caliper mount bracket to be able to remove the rotor ?

 

[cerick08GP]

You don’t need much, I’d say you probably have every thing you need tool wise.

#1 Make sure your sockets are metric. IIRC the caliper bolts are 15mm.
#2 I highly recommend having a breaker bar available.:th_thumbsup-wink:
#3 You have the C-clamp. Nice Ensure you take off your brake cylinder fill cap.
#4 High temp grease for the caliper slider bolt thingy.:th_laugh-lol3:
#5 No allen or hex wrenches required.

Good luck, but you won’t need it. Brakes are easy.

 

[KenH83]

Thanks cerick08GP .. I know that brakes are easy, i've done them plenty of times in the past on many many vehicles.. so doing them isn't the problem .. just having the tools to do them is the problem. Its my only vehicles so once i get it off the ground and start taking things a part .. if i dont have something that means put everything back together in order to go get a stupid hex or allen wrench

You say to take off the fill cap? I've never done this in the past, but I can only assume that its a good idea. You're talking about where the brake fluid reservoir is.. correct?

 

[cerick08GP]

Yup that cap, you may or may not HAVE to remove it. If your brakes have been worn down and someone topped off the brake reservoir when you push the cylinders back (with the C clamp) you could run out of room and blow something.:th_nervous:

 

[nascartech]

if u have to ask then i wouldnt do it

 

[Lawngoose]

remember some 04+ have those twist in calipers. I had a friend with an 07 that tried the c clamp method....and caused more headace than anything

 

[TheOtherNick]

if u have to ask then i wouldnt do it

so you know every socket that is needed for any job on any car?:th_laugh-lol3:
The twist in pistons are only in the back you can tell its them by the + in the piston and it is not a cup.

 

[RideMr2]

I changed the rotors/pads on my 07 recently, I went with slotted/drilled ones.

There were little tiny clip on rings around the lugs, you may or may not have them, depends if the rotors have been changed before. They came off with a pair of needle nose pliers.

When you take off the brake fluid cap, get a paper towel(clean, new) and use it to soak up some of the fluid.

And x 2 on the breaker bar. I tried it at first with a ratchet, I broke 2 of them, and busted several cheap made in china sockets with a craftsman breaker bar borrowed from a neighbor.

The twist calipers are only on the rear.

Mine was rough, because the rotors had never been off the car.

 

[nascartech]

not every job but if u own the car u should know thats all im saying

so you know every socket that is needed for any job on any car?:th_laugh-lol3:
The twist in pistons are only in the back you can tell its them by the + in the piston and it is not a cup.

 

[Jakegday]

this tool is easier, and safer (for your car) then a C clamp. for as often as a do-it-yourselfer like myself does brakes, its well worth the $10
Lisle 24400 - Pad Spreader | O'Reilly Auto Parts

 

[noreasonwhyy]

not every job but if u own the car u should know thats all im saying

ever considered the fact that this is his first time doing the brakes on the car? i know i hate doing a job while having the whip up on jackstands/non-running and having to call someone up just to run to the parts store to get something i didn't realize i needed beforehand.

 

[ZR1Vette09]

When I had to take mine off, the caliper bolts were loc-tite'd in place. needed a long breaker bar, and for 2 of the bolts i had to hold a blow-torch to them to loosen it up. If the brakes have been done on your car before, you shouldn't have this issue. Just FYI

 

[TheOtherNick]

When I had to take mine off, the caliper bolts were loc-tite'd in place. needed a long breaker bar, and for 2 of the bolts i had to hold a blow-torch to them to loosen it up. If the brakes have been done on your car before, you shouldn't have this issue. Just FYI

you should use some blue locktite on the caliper bracket bolts.

 

[ZR1Vette09]

you should use some blue locktite on the caliper bracket bolts.

I was the first one to service the brakes and it came with the red stuff :th_nervous: