Replacing front disc pads.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I'm a little embarrassed to say this, but I have never replaced the front disc brake pads on a modern vehicle.   

On my 70, sure. But it is the same thing on my 2009 Challenger?

On my 70, it was remove 2 bolts, Remove the old pads, Apply a big C-clamp to back off the piston in the caliper, then drop in the new pads, and bolt it up.

How is it in done now? 

 

[TinCuda]

Is there a way that I can subscribe to this thread without admitting that I don't know either?  I have changed brake pads, discs, bearings etc on the 'Cuda, but I have not even looked real close at the Brembos on the new Challenger.  Heck, I haven't even taken off a wheel yet.


.,

[burdar]

It's basically the same now....things just look a little different.  Sometimes you only have to remove the bottom bolt.  Then the caliper will swing up and you slide it off the side.  If that doesn't work then just remove the top bolt too.  The main difference is that the front wheel bearings are sealed units now.  The rotor just pulls off the wheel studs once the caliper is removed.  Some cars require you to remove the caliper bracket first, because it wraps around the rotor.   

I'm sure there are some really goofy designs but most of them are still easy to work on. 

[hooD]

It's basically the same now....things just look a little different.  Sometimes you only have to remove the bottom bolt.  Then the caliper will swing up and you slide it off the side.  If that doesn't work then just remove the top bolt too.  The main difference is that the front wheel bearings are sealed units now.  The rotor just pulls off the wheel studs once the caliper is removed.  Some cars require you to remove the caliper bracket first, because it wraps around the rotor.   

I'm sure there are some really goofy designs but most of them are still easy to work on.

  I love the throw away rotors and no wheel bearings to grease.  I put new rotors and pads on my son's '07 hemi charger.  Piece of cake.   You'll need a low profile floor jack and metric sockets.

[Sleepychallenger]

Mek,

Not much has changed in that area, until you get into some of the odder stuff like VW where the piston has to be turned back in with a special tool.

you should  so others can see!!

Drew

[ChallengerHK]

Somebody told me a few months ago that there's a special procedure for impressing the piston if a car has ABS. True?

[Sleepychallenger]

Somebody told me a few months ago that there's a special procedure for impressing the piston if a car has ABS. True?

Not that I have ever heard of. there is a different process for bleeding an ABS system but not compressing the pistons.

Anyone else know anything different?

[brads70]

Is there a way that I can subscribe to this thread without admitting that I don't know either?  I have changed brake pads, discs, bearings etc on the 'Cuda, but I have not even looked real close at the Brembos on the new Challenger.  Heck, I haven't even taken off a wheel yet.


.,

I have Viper caliper(Brembo) on my 70 Challenger and found a buddy that had a slick tool for retracting the pistons. I haven't bought one yet but I will someday.
http://www.amazon.com/Kastar-Tools-KAS279-Caliper-Spreader/dp/B0079GQKDE
Now who doesn't like buying tools! It's a car guys addiction! 
I've changed the pads on the brembo it's pretty easy/straight forward.
Tapered pins and a spring clip, easy peasy

[TinCuda]

I have Viper caliper(Brembo) on my 70 Challenger and found a buddy that had a slick tool for retracting the pistons. I haven't bought one yet but I will someday.
http://www.amazon.com/Kastar-Tools-KAS279-Caliper-Spreader/dp/B0079GQKDE
Now who doesn't like buying tools! It's a car guys addiction! 
I've changed the pads on the brembo it's pretty easy/straight forward.
Tapered pins and a spring clip, easy peasy

Cool, thanks.  You are right, I love to buy tools like my wife loves her shoes!


.,

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Just to be clear, I don't have ABS brakes. I didn't want them. I'm not aware of how they would be different from what I have.   

This turned out to be an amazingly fun job. The toughest part was turning the scissor jack 100 times for every inch of lift.   

It took about 30 minutes each wheel, but I heard the rear brakes may be a different ballgame.

In the first picture here, this is how my caliper looked before I touched anything.

   

In this second photo, I removed the 2 bolts on the back and begun taking the upper half of the caliper off. The bolts are 13MM, or 1/2 inch. Either socket will work. I tapped the caliper apart with a hammer.


     

In this 3rd picture, I have the top part of the caliper off. I am now using a clamp to squeeze the piston all the way back. The new brake pads will be thicker than the old ones, that's the reasoning behind this move. You would never be able to re install the top part of the caliper if you didn't do this.

     

In this last picture, you can see where I slid the new brake pads into the metal tabs. It will be the same for the inner brake pad.


    

             

[Devil]

All new cars have ABS... and they have for years.  Federally mandated. 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

All new cars have ABS... and they have for years.  Federally mandated.

   

But in 2009, it was still an option on a Challenger S/E.

[usraptr]

I hope you put some anti-squeal grease on the back of those new pads and on the caliber bolts.  Otherwise you're gonna have squeaky brakes in a few weeks.

[72cudamaan]

Mike, you shoulda put caliper slide grease on the corners of the pads so they don,t hang up. I
won't even mention not machining the rotors. 

[Sleepychallenger]

Mike, you shoulda put caliper slide grease on the corners of the pads so they don,t hang up. I
won't even mention not machining the rotors.