Changing discs & pads: difficult?

[simonl]

I'll probably be needing new discs and pads over the next couple of months. Got a quote from dealer and fitting would be ~£100. Cos I'm a tight bugger I'm considering doing it myself (with lots of help from my dad - though he doesn't know that yet ). £100 saved would be nice.

Is it a difficult job? And is replacing the pad wear sensors difficult too?

I think it's about time I started becoming a bit more mechanically competent instead chucking wads of hard earned at the stealer.

Cheers,
SImon

 

[Sp!ke]

If you really want to save yourself some money, speak to Jimmy but having said that, its a relatively painless job. Pads and sensors are a 15 minute job but the disks may ned some persuasion to get off (copper/hide).

 

[Ian B Walker]

Its dead easy Simonl. 19mm ring spanner, 5mm allan key, pliers, broad bladed screwdriver (for adjusting the rear hand brake)small punch and a small hammer. Would you like me to scan the Haynes manual and post it?

 

[jimmy]

The front discs and pads are relatively easy to replace, the only difficult part is undoing the allen screws that hold the calipers on.

The wear sensors simply push into a hole in the pads and can be reused as long as the warning light has not come on yet.

The rear pads are again easy but the rear discs are a bit tricky because of the inboard handbrake shoes, wouldn't recommend you do that unless you are quite mechanically minded.

Dont forget to clean the protective grease/oil from the discs with a solvent and put the copper grease on the back and sides of the pads not the front!! Seriously, I have seen it done, the discs were fitted without cleaning and the pads were covered in copper grease. Needless to say the car did not stop very quick!

 

[simonl]

Originally posted by Ian B Walker
Would you like me to scan the Haynes manual and post it?

That would be great! Thanks! Just thinking, I have an acquaintance who used to be a Merc technician. I forsee an offer of beer.


@Jimmy: Cheers for the advise.