Comments on: How To Replace Your Front Brakes http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/08/how-to-replace-your-front-brakes/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:32:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Teacher http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/08/how-to-replace-your-front-brakes/#comment-81319 Teacher Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:25:57 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/08/how-to-replace-your-front-brakes/#comment-81319 Last week I changed the front brakes on my 2005 Grand Caravan. I know, people joke that guys driving mini vans are wimps, but I don't care. It runs good, has lots of room and I got it for $12,000 with just 9,000 miles on it. Bendix brake pads cost me $49. The local Dodge dealer and another garage both wanted $150+ do to the same thing. Only problem was that the calipers were held onto the brackets by bolts that required a 7mm hex head. Guess which size is commonly left out of sets of Allen wrenches? The jerk at the Dodge place first told me he didn't know what size hex head the calipers took. When I asked if his manager would know, he fessed up to it being a 7mm, but had no idea where I could get one. Of course they would be glad to do the brake job for me. Nope. Good old NAPA. 3/8" drive hex bit in 7mm was $4.99, USA made. Last week I changed the front brakes on my 2005 Grand Caravan. I know, people joke that guys driving mini vans are wimps, but I don’t care. It runs good, has lots of room and I got it for $12,000 with just 9,000 miles on it.

Bendix brake pads cost me $49. The local Dodge dealer and another garage both wanted $150+ do to the same thing.

Only problem was that the calipers were held onto the brackets by bolts that required a 7mm hex head. Guess which size is commonly left out of sets of Allen wrenches? The jerk at the Dodge place first told me he didn’t know what size hex head the calipers took.

When I asked if his manager would know, he fessed up to it being a 7mm, but had no idea where I could get one. Of course they would be glad to do the brake job for me. Nope. Good old NAPA. 3/8″ drive hex bit in 7mm was $4.99, USA made.

]]> By: Bubba Powers http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/08/how-to-replace-your-front-brakes/#comment-75698 Bubba Powers Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:01:58 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/08/how-to-replace-your-front-brakes/#comment-75698 I have a question. Should an ASTM certified mechanic be sitting there with his legs projected up under the car? Even with the proper saftey equipment being used (wheel chocks, jack stands, floor jack, etc.), this would not be a recommended position to work from and especially not to "suggest" to a novice that may not be aware of the safety issues involved with this. One turn of the Allen / Hex wrench (with a cheater bar) with a great deal of torque could cause movement of the vehicle. Just a safety thought! I have a question. Should an ASTM certified mechanic be sitting there with his legs projected up under the car? Even with the proper saftey equipment being used (wheel chocks, jack stands, floor jack, etc.), this would not be a recommended position to work from and especially not to “suggest” to a novice that may not be aware of the safety issues involved with this. One turn of the Allen / Hex wrench (with a cheater bar) with a great deal of torque could cause movement of the vehicle. Just a safety thought!

]]> By: Old Donn http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/08/how-to-replace-your-front-brakes/#comment-74749 Old Donn Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:26:45 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/08/how-to-replace-your-front-brakes/#comment-74749 Make that front calipers. Make that front calipers.

]]> By: Old Donn http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/08/how-to-replace-your-front-brakes/#comment-74748 Old Donn Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:25:56 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/08/how-to-replace-your-front-brakes/#comment-74748 The How-To link left out one important step. You'd better pump the brakes and get some fluid back into the from calipers prior to test driving. The How-To link left out one important step. You’d better pump the brakes and get some fluid back into the from calipers prior to test driving.

]]> By: tirapop http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/08/how-to-replace-your-front-brakes/#comment-74448 tirapop Sat, 09 Jun 2007 02:35:20 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/08/how-to-replace-your-front-brakes/#comment-74448 "How To Replace Your Front Brakes"... with a picture of someone changing the rear brakes on a Jetta. Yeah, that's the gas filler door at the top left. “How To Replace Your Front Brakes”… with a picture of someone changing the rear brakes on a Jetta. Yeah, that’s the gas filler door at the top left.

]]> By: Steve Thompson http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/08/how-to-replace-your-front-brakes/#comment-74383 Steve Thompson Fri, 08 Jun 2007 21:52:14 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/06/08/how-to-replace-your-front-brakes/#comment-74383 My MINI club does brake flush (and necessary pads and other maintenance) once or twice a year. We just hang out and BBQ (and get good use out of the brake bleed kit, etc we bought for the club). It's really easy, especially with a couple of people and no reason you shouldn't do it yourself. As a bonus, a couple of weeks ago, I even upgraded everything on the front of the MINI to this Wilwood kit. Stops real good now. http://www.flickr.com/photos/supergimp/536374344/in/pool-toolmonger/ My MINI club does brake flush (and necessary pads and other maintenance) once or twice a year. We just hang out and BBQ (and get good use out of the brake bleed kit, etc we bought for the club). It’s really easy, especially with a couple of people and no reason you shouldn’t do it yourself. As a bonus, a couple of weeks ago, I even upgraded everything on the front of the MINI to this Wilwood kit. Stops real good now.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/supergimp/536374344/in/pool-toolmonger/

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