Brake Newbie

[RnR]

I have been looking at and listening to my brakes as of late to get an idea as to what areas will need attention.

First task will be to complete the assembly of a pressure bleeder apparatus to use with my kinda newly acquired compressor, and I am wondering what other brake related tools/gear I should be gathering for my first brake job. I have some Bendix Ceramlub in hand, but is there a baseline guide for brake specific tools that I should invest in for maintaining my GM domestic?

 

[eljefino]

A pressure bleeder is mostly unneccessary. If you're rigging up something that attaches to the top of the fluid reservoir, just let it drip with gravity.

I assume you have rear discs, so the big sledge for knocking drums off won't be necessary.

 

[beast3300]

Brakes on a W-body are very easy. You need 15mm wrench or socket for the front. 13mm and 14mm wrench or socket for the rear. A hammer, flathead screw driver and C-clamp/large Channel locks.

 

[scurvy]

A pressure bleeder is an excellent thing to have and making one would be a great way to spend an hour on a Saturday morning. Don't exceed 10 psi and enjoy bleeding your freshly replaced brakes the easy way.

 

[JHZR2]

+1 on the pressure bleeder. Only unnecessary if you have a wife that loves to work on cars with you who can do it instead...

 

[The Critic]

A proper disc brake piston retraction set may be needed depending on your caliper setup:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?...amp;dir=catalog

Cheaper sets are available if you don't feel like investing money, but you may need that tool for the rear calipers. For the front calipers, a conventional c-clamp is needed.

 

[Mud]

You can also gravity bleed the brakes if needed which is simply opening the bleeders and letting them drip while keeping an eye on the reservoir level. I've done this often on abs equipped vehicles without any issues and yes it does take longer but not that big of a deal if you don't have anything else. It's worth the time to get some fresh fluid in the system.
As mentioned 10psi should be considered as a max pressure in the master cylinder reservoir. I prefer a mightyvac tool to draw fluid out at each bleeder.
Some calipers can be pushed via c-clamp, others need to be screwed in, your car is push-in type and if I remember right it uses GM metric calipers.
Also, when retracting the calipers, open the bleed screw to let old fluid out instead of pushing it back up into the system. Then close off the bleeder, install new pads/shims, pump the pedal a few times to reset the caliper and you are done. I also like to ensure that the rotors are cleaned up as well - see DIY brake rotor tool in this same forum

 

[RnR]

Good suggestions guys.

I suppose I should also have a few bleeder screws, brake cleaner spray and the like on hand too. Are there any plastic, composite part or other misc. bits that might not be included in pad/disc kits I should pick up as well?

I'll look at that DIY rotor tool while I'm at it too.

 

[SIXSPEED]

This caliper tool kit from Harbor Freight works good and can be had for under $20 on sale. I also heard HF has discontinued this kit and only offers a larger kit for more $$; don't know for sure.

 

[SIXSPEED]

While replacing brakes on my 2004 Honda Odyssey, I found that I needed a very thin 17mm wrench to hold the front caliper pins while loosening the caliper bolts. Good thing I had a 17mm bicycle wheel hub wrench available in my tool box.

 

[doitmyself]

Never forget that many auto parts stores loan out the specialty tools for FREE. Autozone is one. Its a great service if you have one close to you. And, it makes sense not to invest in tools that you only use once every few years and/or you are on a limited budget.

 

[RnR]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Never forget that many auto parts stores loan out the specialty tools for FREE. Autozone is one. Its a great service if you have one close to you. And, it makes sense not to invest in tools that you only use once every few years and/or you are on a limited budget.

Good point - guess I will start hunting YouTube videos to see what tools those might be...!