How to Perform a Brake Adjustment

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Perform a Brake Adjustment . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Floor Jack
  • Combination Wrench Set
  • Breaker Bar
  • Mallet Hammer
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Jack Stand Set
  • Flat Head Screwdriver
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • 1/2 in. Drive Torque Wrench

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $0.00 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $63.24 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Park the vehicle on a flat surface. Chock the front wheels as well.
  • Take a floor jack and raise the rear of the vehicle.
  • Support the vehicle on jack stands in order to ensure safety during repair work because floor jack alone is not enough to guarantee your safety.
  • You have to take the rubber ring grommet or ring out of the slot on the backing plate in order to make adjustment in rear brake shoes. Using screwdriver, move the star wheel to tune the brake shoes.
  • Take the center console box out.
  • Locate the locknut positioned at the rear of the handbrake lever. Unfasten the locknut.
  • Spin the adjusting nut unless you feel that the parking brake is now having a right adjustment.
  • Fasten the locknut and reassemble the center console box.
  • Once the repair is done, make sure that the adjustments made are properly working.
Posted in Drum Brakes | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Perform a Front Disc Brake Job

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Perform a Front Disc Brake Job . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Combination Wrench Set
  • C-Clamp
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Jack Stand Set
  • 1/2 in. Drive Torque Wrench
  • Brake Anti Squeal Paste
  • Brake Pad Set

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $118.26 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $258.13 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Secure the vehicle on a flat surface and engage the parking brake.
  • Secure the rear wheels with wedge or wooden blocks. Before proceeding, prop up the engine hood and check the level of the brake fluid in the master cylinder reservoir. In case the reservoir is full, evacuate some of the fluid with turkey baster to prevent it from overflowing, once the caliper pistons are compressed.
  • Break loose the front wheel lug nuts. Raise the vehicle’s front with floor jack and secure it on the jack stands so that you can work safely.
  • Take the lug nuts away and discard the front wheels from the vehicle.
  • Examine carefully the brake rotors for any signs of grooves, cracks, scoring or any other wear and tear.
  • Unbolt the brake caliper and glide the caliper away of the brake rotor.
  • Using bungee cord, secure the caliper to the coil spring. Never let it hang by the brake hose.
  • Take the brake pads out of the brake caliper or mounting bracket. You may have to remove the bracket as well.
  • Take the brake rotor out from the hub. It is suggested to replace the brake rotors when dealing with front brakes.
  • Using wire brush, remove the dust or debris from the surface of the hub. Use brake cleaner to wipe off the surface of the new brake rotor. Assemble it on the hub and put back the caliper mounting bracket.
  • Use C-clamp to press the caliper piston.
  • Now, position the new brake pads into to the brake caliper or mounting bracket.
  • Reassemble the brake caliper and torque the retaining bolts properly.
  • Repeat the same steps on the other side of the vehicle.
  • Depress the brake pedal twice or thrice to make certain that the pads hold the position against the rotor.
  • Put the wheels back onto the vehicle and secure them properly with lug nuts.
  • Remove the jack stands and lower vehicle to the ground. Examine fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir again. Add more fluid if required.
  • Take help from owner’s manual to have a good idea about break in time and procedure for the new pads and rotor. Take a small drive and ensure that pads and rotor are properly seated.
Posted in Disc Brakes | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How to Replace a Brake Disc (Rotor)

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Brake Disc (Rotor) . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Dial Indicator
  • Combination Wrench Set
  • C-Clamp
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Jack Stand Set
  • Flat Head Screwdriver
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • 1/2 in. Drive Torque Wrench
  • Brake Disc

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $106.07 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $227.93 parts and labo

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Secure the vehicle on the flat surface so that you don’t have any difficulty while working.
  • Before lifting the front of the vehicle, put logs or wooden block behind the rear wheels.
  • Support the vehicle on the jack stands. It is necessary for your safety as floor jack is not something on which you can rely alone.
  • >Take the front wheels of the vehicle away by removing the lug nuts.
  • Look for the brake caliper and unfasten the bolts or pins holding the brake caliper.
  • Turn the caliper round and take it away from the brake disc. Never let the caliper hang by the brake hose instead support it to the coil spring with bungee cord.
  • Next, you have to discard the brake disc and hub assembly. For this, use channel-lock pliers to disconnect the dust cap. Then, discard the cotter pin and retaining ring.
  • Take the wheel bearing adjusting nut and washer away. Discard the disc assembly, then out wheel bearing and lastly, inner wheel bearing and grease seal.
  • Apply grease on the inner side of the new disc hub. Before applying grease, make sure that the surface of the disc is free from all sort of debris and dirt. Apply grease to the inner wheel bearing and fix it to the inner side of the brake disc hub. Also, use new grease seal.
  • Now, glide the brake disc assembly onto the spindle and assemble the outer wheel bearing coated with grease to the disc hub.
  • Secure the wheel bearing with adjusting nut and washer.
  • Use the adjusting nut to tune the free play of the wheel bearing.
  • Once the adjustment is done, reinstall the retaining nut and cotter pin. Put the wheel bearing dust cup back to its position.
  • Now, glide the brake caliper onto the new brake disc. Secure the caliper with mounting bolts or pins.
  • If rubber boots are required, install them now.
  • You need to repeat the steps from 4 to 15 on the other side as well.
  • Put the wheels back to the vehicle and secure them properly with lug nuts.
  • Take the jack stands away and ground the vehicle by lowering the floor jack.
  • Take a small drive and make sure that all the parts are working properly.
Posted in Disc Brakes | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Replace Brake Pads

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace Brake Pads . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Dial Indicator
  • Combination Wrench Set
  • C-Clamp
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Jack Stand Set
  • Flat Head Screwdriver
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • Brake Anti Squeal Paste
  • Brake Pad Set

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $118.26 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $242.32 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Secure your vehicle on a flat surface and apply parking brake.
  • Raise the front of the vehicle with floor jack. Don’t forget to put logs behind the rear wheels.
  • It is better to support the vehicle on jack stands on both the corners to ensure your safety during the repair work.
  • Take a large ratchet or socket wrench, remove the lug nuts from the front wheels and take the wheels away from the vehicle.
  • Look for the brake caliper and loosen the bolts or pins holding the caliper in place.
  • Turn the caliper round and take it out of the brake rotor. Do it carefully as you have to keep the brake lines free from any damage.
  • Discard the brake pads and also anti-squeal shims if required.
  • Push the caliper piston back into the housing.
  • Take new brake pads and replace them into the caliper with old ones. Use anti-squeak lubricant on shims if needed.
  • Put the caliper back onto the brake rotor and secure it with the bolts. Push the brake pedal in order to move the piston to the outward direction.
  • You have to repeat the steps from 5 to 10 for the other side as well.
  • Put the wheels back to the vehicle and secure them properly with the help of lug nuts. Replace any hub caps if present.
  • Take the jack stands away and ground the vehicle by removing floor jack.
  • Examine the level of the brake fluid in the brake master cylinder reservoir and if required add more fluid.
  • Take a small drive and make certain that the new brake pads are properly installed.

Tips & Warning

  • Don’t forget to use Person Protective Equipment (PPE) before starting any kind of repair work. Protective clothing like safety goggles, latex gloves, or closed toe shoes help prevent injuries.
Posted in Disc Brakes | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Replace a Splash Guard Backing Plate

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Splash Guard Backing Plate . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Floor Jack
  • Screwdriver
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Jack Stand Set
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • Brake Backing Plate

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $36.75 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $106.61 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Secure the vehicle on a flat surface and apply the parking brake.
  • Lift up the front of the vehicle with floor jack and chock the rear wheels.
  • To ensure your safety, support the vehicle on jack stands.
  • In order to access the splash guard backing plate, move the wheel to right or left completely.
  • Examine carefully the splash guard or backing plate for any signs of damage in the form of cracks or for any other wear and tear.
  • Take the damaged guard or plate out by removing the mounting bolts found on the back of the hub.
  • Take a new splash guard or plate and install it in place of old one.
  • Secure the guar or plate with mounting bolts. Torque the bolts properly.
  • Remove the vehicle from jack stands and floor jack and take a small drive to check if still there is any vibration or noise.
Posted in Disc Brakes | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Flush Brake Fluid

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Flush Brake Fluid . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Floor Jack
  • Brake Bleeder Kit
  • Flare Nut Wrench
  • Jack Stand Set
  • 1/2 in. Drive Socket Set
  • 1/2 in. Drive Torque Wrench
  • Brake Fluid
  • Can of brake cleaner
  • Clear Plastic Tube

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $41.95 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $138.07 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Check the brakes while taking a small drive and make sure that the problem is with brakes.
  • Secure the vehicle on flat surface and put it on parking brake.
  • Prop the engine hood up and look for the master cylinder reservoir on the driver side.
  • Withdraw the old brake fluid out from the reservoir and add fresh brake fluid to the reservoir.
  • Next, loosen the wheel lug nuts before using floor jack.
  • Raise the vehicle with the floor jack. Floor jack alone is not enough to ensure your safety so support the vehicle on jack stands so that you can work properly.
  • Take the loosened lug nuts out and take the wheels away from the vehicle.
  • On passenger side rear brake, look for the brake bleeder valve.
  • Take a piece of clear plastic tubing and fix its one end to the bleeder screw and the other end should be inserted into the container filled with brake fluid.
  • Before proceeding, make sure that you have placed a wooden block of 1 x 4 sized under the brake pedal. This is done to make sure that brake pedal doesn’t move far away.
  • Now told your assistant to depress and release the brake pedal rapidly for some time and then depress it and hold it.
  • Remove the bleeder screw and let the old fluid and air bubbles withdraw through the piece of tubing. Recap the screw.
  • Continue to do this till you see that no air bubbles are coming out of the reservoir and also the fluid coming out is clear. During all that process, you need to keep this thing in mind that reservoir should not be emptied completely.
  • Fill up the reservoir with new fluid as required. Make sure that the level of the fluid in the reservoir is touching the ‘Max’ mark.
  • You have to repeat the steps from 9 to 14 for other remaining wheels you have to follow the order like left rear wheel, right front wheel and then left front wheel.
  • Put the wheels back and secure them with lug nuts. Remove the vehicle from jack stands and ground the vehicle.
  • Depress the brake pedal and make sure it has enough resistance. Take a small drive to make certain that brakes are properly functioning.

Tips & Warning

  • Don’t forget to use protective clothing while working under the vehicle. Personal Protective Equipment such as safety goggles, latex gloves and closed toe shoes must be used to avoid injuries.
Posted in Hydraulic System | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Check the Brake Fluid Level

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Check the Brake Fluid Level . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Flashlight
  • Brake Fluid

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $41.95 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $122.26 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Make sure that the vehicle is parked on a level surface and the engine is not hot.
  • Prop the engine hood up and look for the brake master cylinder reservoir. You can find it on the driver side.
  • Closely examine the fluid condition, its color, its thickness etc. If the fluid is clear and fine, make certain that the fluid is somewhere between the ‘Min’ and ‘Max’ level marks. You can examine the level by removing the cap of the reservoir as well.
  • Wipe off any debris or dirt from the reservoir cover.
  • If the level of the fluid is less than the required level, add more fluid to the reservoir. Make sure that the new fluid is recommended for your vehicle type.
  • Put the cover or cap back to the reservoir.

Tips & Safety

  • While working with your vehicle, it is essential to use protective clothing to prevent injuries. Make use of safety goggles, latex gloves and closed toe shoes to ensure your safety.
Posted in Hydraulic System | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Bleed Brakes with an Assistant

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Bleed Brakes with an Assistant . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Floor Jack
  • Brake Bleeder Kit
  • Flare Nut Wrench
  • Jack Stand Set
  • Brake Fluid

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $41.95 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $177.60 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Secure your vehicle on a flat surface. It is a good idea to set on the parking brake.
  • Prop the hood up and look for the master cylinder reservoir.
  • You have to use battery filler or a turkey baster to evacuate the brake fluid from the master cylinder reservoir. Add new brake fluid to the master cylinder reservoir and make certain that the new fluid fulfills the OE specifications, i.e. DOT3 or DOT4.
  • Raise the vehicle with floor jack and it is better to secure it with jack stands so that you can work underneath the vehicle without any fear.
  • Take block of wood and put it under the brake pedal to make certain that it doesn’t move.
  • Starting from the right rear wheel, look for the brake bleeder valve. You may find it connected to the brake caliper or brake wheel cylinder.
  • Fix a piece of clear plastic tubing on bleeder screw and insert the other end of the tubing into the container filled with brake fluid.
  • Instruct your assistant to depress and release the brake quickly for sometime and then hold it in the depressed position.
  • Remove the bleeder valve and let the old fluid and air bubbles evacuate. Once the air bubbles stops coming out, recap the bleeder valve and told your assistant to release the brake pedal.
  • During this process, make sure that the fluid doesn’t flow out completely. Add more brake fluid to the master cylinder and make sure that it reaches up to the required mark.
  • Bleed the remaining wheels’ brakes by following the same process. You need to move on to the left rear wheel, then to right front wheel and finally the left front wheel.
  • In the end make sure that brake pedal has enough resistance.
  • Remove the jack stands and floor jack and ground the vehicle.

Tips & Warning

  • Use safety clothing like safety goggles, latex gloves, and closed toe shoes to prevent injuries during the repair work.
Posted in Hydraulic System | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Bleed Brakes with a Tool

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Bleed Brakes with a Tool . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Combination Wrench Set
  • Brake Fluid
  • Clear Vinyl Tubing

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $41.95 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $138.07 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Park the vehicle on a flat surface.
  • Using a floor jack, raise the vehicle.
  • Prop the vehicle on the jack stands so that you can work easily underneath the vehicle without and harm.
  • Look for brake bleeder valve on the rear passenger side brake.
  • Fix a small piece of clear plastic tubing to the brake bleeder screw and insert the other end of the tubing into the container filled with brake fluid.
  • Now you need to fix the brake bleeder tool. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation.
  • Remove the bleeder screw and let the brake bleeder tool bleed the brakes for you.
  • Use the same process given from step 5 to 7 for other wheels in an order of: right rear wheel, right front wheel and left front wheel.
  • Put the wheels back and secure them with lug nuts.
  • Remove the jack stands and floor jack and take a small drive to make certain that brakes are properly working.

Tips & Warning

  • It is important to use protective clothing before working under the vehicle. Safety goggles, latex gloves, closed toe shoes and apron are necessary for your safety as they prevent you from injuries.
Posted in Hydraulic System | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How to Replace a Brake Hose

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Brake Hose . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Floor Jack
  • Screwdriver
  • Drain Pan
  • Flare Nut Wrench
  • Jack Stand Set
  • Brake Fluid
  • Brake Hose

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $76.21 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $241.74 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Secure your vehicle on a flat surface. Apply parking brake.
  • Break the lug nuts of front wheels loose before jacking up your vehicle.
  • Using a floor jack, lift the front of the vehicle up. Put logs behind the rear wheels.
  • Secure the vehicle on jack stands to ensure your safety.
  • Take the front wheels away by removing the lug nuts completely.
  • Look for the brake hoses connected to the brake calipers. And locate the damaged one.
  • Put drain pan under the damaged brake hose. Disconnect the brake hose from the metal brake line.
  • To avoid dripping of fluid, put a stopper on its edge.
  • Take the brake hose out by removing the banjo bolt. Also remove the copper washer.
  • Take a new brake hose and connect it to the brake caliper along with new copper washer. Secure the brake hose with banjo bolt.
  • Take the stopper away from the metal brake line and connect it with the new brake hose. Secure them properly to avoid any leak.
  • Add new brake fluid to the master cylinder reservoir.
  • Bleed the braking system properly to ensure that it works perfectly.
  • Examine the brake hoses for any sign of leaks. Take a small drive and make certain braking system is properly working.
Posted in Hydraulic System | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment