brake pad replacement

[jefframin]

Time to replace the pads on my 2003 Vibe...is there anything particularly different or difficult about replacing pads on this car? Or do I just need to unbolt the calipers, install the new pads and bolt the calipers back on like most cars?Thanks!

[lovemyraffe]

It's pretty much just like most others. Not complicated at all.

[Digger]

I just did mine. Simple, take two bolts out and pull the slider off the disk. Take the spacer ( shim ) off the old pads and use it on the new. you will need a big C clamp or the like to push the piston back in. Also, you might want to put a rag around the master cylinder when you take the top off to push the piston back in if you added brake fluid to the system since the pads where new.

[colorofitall]

Hey, jefframin, hope you don't mind me busting in here, but I have a similar problem. I'm unfortunately not cool enough / brave enough to do my own brakes.Here's the story -- in NC, we're required to get safety inspections once a year. When I took the car to my mechanic to get that done, he said I would need new brake pads. I didn't need them right away, but it was coming up, say about 2,000 miles. Month and 3,000 miles later (*love* the holidays!) I took it back into the same shop. This time, a different mechanic says I need new brake pads and new rotors. Now, I'm hearing no squealing whatsoever -- I'm only taking it in because my husband swears he can hear it.I wanted a second opinion. Drama, drama, drama, I get the car back and take it to mechanic #2 (guy who did my mom's tires on a weekend). He takes a look at it and says that my brake pads have 25% left on the front, 60% on the back. According to him, I don't need new pads or rotors; I actually need the back brakes cleaned and adjusted. There's dirt in them. He takes me back, shows me all of the pads, rotors and drums on the car, and shows me the dirt in the drum. He also recommended getting the brake fluid flushed and some other "preventative maintenance" including a fuel injection cleaning (I'm going to bring all of that up in a separate post). He rotates my tires, prints out a list of the recommended services, and sends me on my way.My last car was a POS, so I really want to take care of my Vibe. I know cars, but I'm a little hazy on maintenance since with my last car the issue was always how little money could I spend to keep the car running (I was in college / grad school). My questions are:1) When do you need to replace break pads? How about rotors? Is there anyway to tell other than the squeak / grind method?2) How about the brake fluid flushing? Is that necessary?Thanks!

[chevelle_lover]

The only other way to tell is to take the wheel off and inspect and measure the pads and compare them to the factory specifications. This is the same with the rotors.As for a specific time to replace the brakes it is all about the driving conditions you put the car through highway is going to last longer than that of city driving. Rear brakes last longer as the fronts do more of the work.The brake fluid look in the owners manual for the life expectancy of the fluid and follow that unless you notice the fluid is very dark. If your moms mechanic brought you to the car and tried to show you then he may be better than the other ones you have talked to.

[zionzr2]

Break fluid is often checked by color.and age.there are some methods that are supposed to be better like a dip strip that detects copper.The color should be almost clear or ever so slightly yellow.if its dark,... bleed(Flush) out the old and replace with new.I just did my wife's cobalt myself and saved about $70 on a brake flush from a shop. Its easy esp. if you have someone help. (you kinda need to be in 2 places at once).