05-31-2008, 08:10 AM
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#1
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Toronto, Ontario
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Help: Changing Breaks On Car
Alright, I'm a complete noob at working on a car, but here we are on a nice Saturday morning, and I have some time on my hands and want to change the breaks on my car (and save a few bucks while doing it myself too  ). Firstly, the breaks (?) for the past few weeks are increasingly becoming squeaky everytime I stop, so I assume it's the breaks that need to be changed.
This car is a 2000 Civic SE. My questions are:
A) Is it the break pads that need to be changed, or are there other parts that need to be changed too? Are there any parts (or break pads) in the rear wheels that need to be dealt with too?
B) How long does it take and can it be done with a basic set of household tools (wrench, screwdrivers etc etc)?
C) What are my costs going to be?
Appreciate the help!
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05-31-2008, 08:36 AM
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#2
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Threadkiller
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: 51.0544° N, 114.0669° W
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Hey fleury, no offense, but if you don't have the correct tools and have never done it before, I wouldn't recommend working on something as important that the brakes.
When I had my Honda, I didn't think the dealership prices for repair was too bad, but maybe there is a local shop or neighborhood garage that could fix you up? Whatever you do, don't go to Crappy Tire or Midas or someone like that.
The pads are one, but the rotors have to be looked at, maybe turned or replaced, and it isn't a bad idea to check the caliper too. Finally, if it hasnt been done before, a brake flush isnt a bad idea either.
All in all, its probably a little out of your range, at least from what you described above.
I would, however, recommend that you jack up each corner and remove the tire and inspect the brakes. At least by doing this you will be able to see if the shop is jerking you around or not.
Brakes aren't super hard, but they do have to be done right.
Last edited by ricosuave; 05-31-2008 at 08:38 AM.
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05-31-2008, 08:56 AM
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#3
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One of the Nine
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If you're doing disc brakes, the job is fairly easy with the right tools. You'll need your tire iron, a jack, jack stands, a ratchet, allen key ratchet bits, and a clamp.
Drum brakes are a totally different animal. There is a good chance that your rear wheels have drums. If they do, stay the hell out of there. Take it to a mechanic.
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05-31-2008, 09:12 AM
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#4
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Calgary
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It worries me that you are starting by spelling Brake wrong. No offense but they are not really something you want to mess around with if you are not mechanically inclined or at least have a buddy who is.
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05-31-2008, 09:47 AM
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#5
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Pants Tent
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Best not to mess around with your brakes yourself. Take it to a mechanic.
__________________
KIPPER IS KING
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05-31-2008, 11:41 AM
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#7
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Not a casual user
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: A simple man leading a complicated life....
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Take it to a mechanic. Brakes are not something you should be working on if you don't know what you are doing.
__________________
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05-31-2008, 11:52 AM
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#8
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Calgary
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I second/third/fourth/fifth the "go to a mechanic" point. I like to fix stuff on my car, but brakes are something you need to be working for safety so I would take it to someone who has done it before.
If you really want to do it yourself, make sure you get all the tools, and the Hayes manual. And be prepared to go without the vehicle for a few days in case you screw it up. Seriously. It's a tough repair.
__________________
REDVAN!
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05-31-2008, 12:05 PM
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#9
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Toronto, Ontario
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boblobla
It worries me that you are starting by spelling Brake wrong. No offense but they are not really something you want to mess around with if you are not mechanically inclined or at least have a buddy who is.
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Thanks for all the responses guys. This one made me think how pathetic my spelling is at times  . Anyway, probably a bit too much to handle and it really looks one sided erring on the side of caution to take it to a mechanic. A Brit friend of mine always said to pick up the Haynes Manual, but it just looks like the downside is too great. Glad to hear the overwhelming response or I'd have probably started taking stabs at it.
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05-31-2008, 04:31 PM
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#10
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Playboy Mansion Poolboy
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Close enough to make a beer run during a TV timeout
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I don't know why everybody thinks brakes are so important; I find they just slow me down.
Seriously, doing disc brakes isn't that hard. But you do need somebody to show it to you once before attempting on your own. Next time find a buddy who knows how to do them, and help him out on his car.
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05-31-2008, 04:47 PM
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#11
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Calgary
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Brakes arent that hard. Just get one of the Haynes manuals if you think it will be that bad. The backs if drums are little tougher but even that isn't that too bad, just take both wheels off and do one side at a time and reference the other side for help. what i did yoo was take a picture of the inside of the drum before i started with my digital cam and printed it out for reference. I recommend a spring puller though if doing back.
Also when doing front don't let caliper hang by the hose.
But it is pretty simple and once you do it you will be pissed off at what the shops charge to replace the brakes (except maybe the back drums)
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