DIY: How to change your rear brake pads.
#151
weeeeeeeeee
iTrader: (12)
I did my rear pads for the second time since I bought my car in May of '08 earlier this week. I didn't even need to mess with the parking brake (disengaged of course).
I popped the brake fluid lid and put it back on loose to prevent splash.
Top bolt on drivers side.
Pull caliper cover back
Pop old pads
Grease springs and back of new pads
Install new pads
Trusty caliper tool twist a little left and a little right. Grab boot while turning clockwise. I had to do a good couple full turns this time as I waited way too long (old pads had maybe 3-4 mm at most left)
Aligned piston to notch on back pad
Put caliper cover back on
Reinstalled bolt and torqued it down
Repeat on the the other side.
Ensure brake fluid lid is secure.
Ended up being about a 45 minute chore soup to nuts... just like I remembered from the last time (after reading this and other threads).
I popped the brake fluid lid and put it back on loose to prevent splash.
Top bolt on drivers side.
Pull caliper cover back
Pop old pads
Grease springs and back of new pads
Install new pads
Trusty caliper tool twist a little left and a little right. Grab boot while turning clockwise. I had to do a good couple full turns this time as I waited way too long (old pads had maybe 3-4 mm at most left)
Aligned piston to notch on back pad
Put caliper cover back on
Reinstalled bolt and torqued it down
Repeat on the the other side.
Ensure brake fluid lid is secure.
Ended up being about a 45 minute chore soup to nuts... just like I remembered from the last time (after reading this and other threads).
#152
More or less the same. One big difference in doing the fronts:
You need a piston compressor tool or a c-clamp (which is what I use) to push the front pistons back into the calipers.
You need a piston compressor tool or a c-clamp (which is what I use) to push the front pistons back into the calipers.
Also, my e brake is not strong enough and it wasn't like that before. Any ideas why?
#153
Do you need to push the front pistons all the way in or just enough? I just replaced all four brakes and while bed-in them I notice a weird sound coming from the passenger side. Now the front passenger side brake locks up. I've been reading other forums from other cars and they mention pushing the piston all thew way in, otherwise they will be positioned incorrectly making more pressure than what its needed, locking up the wheel. Is this true?
Also, my e brake is not strong enough and it wasn't like that before. Any ideas why?
Also, my e brake is not strong enough and it wasn't like that before. Any ideas why?
Last edited by RotarioX8; 02-24-2013 at 11:47 PM.
#156
Hey guys, I hope some people still lurk here. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Power Stop brake products. I found a set of rotors and pads, that seem decent, for a steal! So... I was wondering if that's because I'm lucky, or if they suck. Anyone heard anything about them?
#157
GEAUX8
iTrader: (1)
![HI](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/hi.jpg)
Hey guys, I hope some people still lurk here. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Power Stop brake products. I found a set of rotors and pads, that seem decent, for a steal! So... I was wondering if that's because I'm lucky, or if they suck. Anyone heard anything about them?
![Wallbash](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wallbash.gif)
#158
Never mind, I found the problem. One of the caliper bolt was lose and whilst driving it fell off. The caliper started hitting the rotor making me think that it was locking the wheel. Now, the steering wheel vibrates just a little and is more noticeable at higher speeds. Since it wasn't like that before it is very noticeable for me. The alignment and the tires were fine before the incident so it has to be the rotor. I'm going to turn them again and if it doesn't fix it I'll buy new ones.
#159
Registered
iTrader: (2)
Never mind, I found the problem. One of the caliper bolt was lose and whilst driving it fell off. The caliper started hitting the rotor making me think that it was locking the wheel. Now, the steering wheel vibrates just a little and is more noticeable at higher speeds. Since it wasn't like that before it is very noticeable for me. The alignment and the tires were fine before the incident so it has to be the rotor. I'm going to turn them again and if it doesn't fix it I'll buy new ones.
Just for giggles I took it back to the shop (I was out of town), they installed another bolt and it fell off that night again, so I had to take it back in the morning before the 14 hour trip...
#160
Charles Bundy
iTrader: (5)
I did my rear pads for the second time since I bought my car in May of '08 earlier this week. I didn't even need to mess with the parking brake (disengaged of course).
I popped the brake fluid lid and put it back on loose to prevent splash.
Top bolt on drivers side.
Pull caliper cover back
Pop old pads
Grease springs and back of new pads
Install new pads
Trusty caliper tool twist a little left and a little right. Grab boot while turning clockwise. I had to do a good couple full turns this time as I waited way too long (old pads had maybe 3-4 mm at most left)
Aligned piston to notch on back pad
Put caliper cover back on
Reinstalled bolt and torqued it down
Repeat on the the other side.
Ensure brake fluid lid is secure.
Ended up being about a 45 minute chore soup to nuts... just like I remembered from the last time (after reading this and other threads).
I popped the brake fluid lid and put it back on loose to prevent splash.
Top bolt on drivers side.
Pull caliper cover back
Pop old pads
Grease springs and back of new pads
Install new pads
Trusty caliper tool twist a little left and a little right. Grab boot while turning clockwise. I had to do a good couple full turns this time as I waited way too long (old pads had maybe 3-4 mm at most left)
Aligned piston to notch on back pad
Put caliper cover back on
Reinstalled bolt and torqued it down
Repeat on the the other side.
Ensure brake fluid lid is secure.
Ended up being about a 45 minute chore soup to nuts... just like I remembered from the last time (after reading this and other threads).
Last edited by Grace_Excel; 08-29-2013 at 02:01 AM. Reason: Added video clip
#161
LOL, same thing. Second time I've replaced the rear pads which were done three years ago. I still used the large G-Clamp to compress the caliper piston.
Compressing the rear brake caliper-piston with a G-Clamp
Compressing the rear brake caliper-piston with a G-Clamp
#163
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
#164
Registered
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Montreal, QC
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I can tell you I was pissssssed.
ALWAYS DO IT YOURSELF
#165
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
Man if I would've known that before... I didn't have the tool so I decided to get the job done at a local Canadian tire. My calipers were jammed so I had to change them both along with new discs and pads. I bought a set of rotors+pads off ebay and bought the calipers from the local Canadian tire store at 213 each. With installation of my parts + their calipers the bill still came up to 740$. I got screwed by a few hundred bucks on the install. 2.5 hours labor + 60 bucks for a brake fluid flush. The whole job took them 40 mins.
I can tell you I was pissssssed.
ALWAYS DO IT YOURSELF
I can tell you I was pissssssed.
ALWAYS DO IT YOURSELF
Usually a good idea to check with the club before doing repairs. A lot of jobs are not too difficult with a little guidance.
You will probably save some $$ down the road.
#167
Registered
I see this has been dead for a few months now but I have a question this rx8 has a ABS control valve block (or what ever it's called) in some cars with this type of setup you can't push the fluid back through it with out Fing up the ABS so you must open the bleeder on the caliper is this the case with this car ?
#169
Registered
Sorta wish i would have taken the time to read this instead of thinking "ive done brakes before. It wont be hard." I ended up grinding off the nipple on the brake pad itself to make it fit flush on the inside pad. havent had any problems with it yet. Anyone know specifically why the pads are made that way?
#170
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Sorta wish i would have taken the time to read this instead of thinking "ive done brakes before. It wont be hard." I ended up grinding off the nipple on the brake pad itself to make it fit flush on the inside pad. havent had any problems with it yet. Anyone know specifically why the pads are made that way?
The "nipple" is needed for the emergency brake to work properly
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
#172
2009 RX-8 Touring
I did my front brake pads today. I'm going to do my rear brake pads tomorrow. Thanks for the useful info; I didn't have to go hunting for the correct socket to loosen the caliper slide bolts, and now I know the twist-to-retract caliper piston tool I bought will be useful for more than just my old VW.
I don't know if it's been mentioned, but even though you only have to remove one caliper slide bolt to pivot the caliper out of the way, it helps to loosen the other one a bit. Just make sure to tighten the one that you loosened after you're done installing the new pads -- it's easy to forget since it's out of sight and you didn't have to remove it completely.
I had 1/8" left on the front pads after 50,000 miles. Can't really complain about that.
I don't know if it's been mentioned, but even though you only have to remove one caliper slide bolt to pivot the caliper out of the way, it helps to loosen the other one a bit. Just make sure to tighten the one that you loosened after you're done installing the new pads -- it's easy to forget since it's out of sight and you didn't have to remove it completely.
I had 1/8" left on the front pads after 50,000 miles. Can't really complain about that.
Last edited by fyrstormer; 10-11-2015 at 10:06 PM.
#173
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
You don't have to remove both, but imo, it's a good idea to remove both and lubricate them.
#174
2009 RX-8 Touring
I checked all four front caliper slides for smoothness; one of them felt a little sticky, so I regreased that one. The inboard pad on that brake also showed slightly more wear than the outboard pad, whereas the other front brake showed identical wear between both pads.
#175
I am about to install the HPS rear pads right now and noticed that both sets of pads come with the protruding metal clip. Is this the way yours were too? I thought only the passenger side had that clip.