brake pad change

jonohall · 09-12-2006, 03:41 PM

Hi all. my first car is almost due for its first brake pad change (while in my ownership..) Its an EL falcon. I would like to have a go doing it myself and am a first timer.

Ive been searching the threads and found a reasonable description of the process but is there any detailed thread with photos around somewhere?

Also, I'd like to go with softish pads to save the rotors warping rapidly - am i thinking correctly here??? cos my bros warp (also an EL) at a great rate and so far mine have held up well and my car stops better with less peddle pressure so i guess mine are softer than his. So recommendations would be good pls.

PS. no ABS

cheers

jonohall · 09-12-2006, 04:12 PM

http://forum.buysell.com/viewtopic.p...5a605bd12b722c

googled to find that tutorial. is that pretty spot on the money??
and i ought to leave the cap of the brake fluid reservoir yeah?

efgiar · 09-12-2006, 04:25 PM

yeah its pretty close, loobs the pins with some grease and if u get stuck have someones number handy that knows how to do it

BADan · 09-12-2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efgiar

yeah its pretty close, loobs the pins with some grease and if u get stuck have someones number handy that knows how to do it

Definitely. You don't want any problems with the brakes of all parts! If you are unsure it's probably best to to have some help from a person who knows what is going on.

niko · 09-12-2006, 04:54 PM

call someone who knows what they're doing and just get them to help you?

nothing like half installed front brakes ;)

jonohall · 09-12-2006, 05:04 PM

I heed your warning guys but i really want to do this. I do have someone i can call upon but his always flatout. I want to do it, go for a slow drive down my quiet street and if i screw it up ill call him lol. So anything else i should know, please comment.

lubing up the slides. is this an important step. what should i use etc??

gthofan · 09-12-2006, 05:05 PM

nothing like having seized rear pistons either :(

jonohall · 09-12-2006, 07:09 PM

being the stubborn guy i am lol. I just pulled my pads out. about 2.5mm on the inner and 3.5mm on the outer one. OK so recommendations for pads please?? No indication of what is in there now...cos Id probably like the same

thankyou

jonohall · 09-12-2006, 07:59 PM

keeping in mind i want something on the soft side. I dont care much about dust all over my stocke 15 inch steel wheels

Damo · 09-12-2006, 08:01 PM

Bendix General CT seem too pull up nice and last a fair while with minimal dust.

jonohall · 09-12-2006, 09:14 PM

cheers. would someone explain friction classificaiton to me please...?

jonohall · 09-12-2006, 09:21 PM

and while Im learning things. is the EL falcons caliper a sliding caliper or an opposed piston caliper?

jonohall · 09-12-2006, 09:47 PM

I get the part about using a C clamp to force back the piston and that some fluid may overflow. Im not sure about what 'lubing up the slides means' - could someone please clarify. is this referring to the parts with a rubber surround which would be there to allow movement yeah? do i take these off and apply some kinda lube. more info pls

cheers

FoRdChIc · 10-12-2006, 05:33 AM

Yep where the rubber is. Just get a can of CRC or something and spray underneath the rubbers and move the shaft from side to side. They free up pretty easy.

jonohall · 10-12-2006, 11:56 AM

thanks for that. OK so i went to supercheap (always my first point of call). pretty limited choice there. Ferodo zero, Bosch and some no name 'superauto' or something like that. Anyway Ive seen a few peopl go with Ferodo on these threads... Has anyone got experience with Ferodo Zero in particular...?? And also the Bosch pads had a groove perpendicular to the disc surface..what is the point of this groove???

I like the idea of not having to bed in Bendix General CT, who stocks them and how much more they likely to be? Ferodo zero = $39.99

thanks to all the replies!

FoRdChIc · 10-12-2006, 01:04 PM

Yeh I use General CT's on all our cars. You can get them from Autobarn amongst others. I priced EL ones for $60 this morning from Autobarn. There's a performance place near me where I get them for $45, so just ring around and you're bound to find cheaper.

Damo · 10-12-2006, 06:59 PM

don't get the Ferodo's from super cheap they are utter crap.

blownba · 11-12-2006, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damo

don't get the Ferodo's from super cheap they are utter crap.

Thats a heavy statement dude. The Zeros are a very decent budget pad.

poomba · 11-12-2006, 06:46 PM

bendex ultimates, wicked good pads...

and crc will free the slides, but it is not the correct stuff, always use copper grease on the slides mate. cheers