Robert, don't let em scare you away with talk about bleeding the brakes.
No need to mess with bleeding the brakes if you're just going to change
the pads. The only time you need to open the hydraulics is to
repair/replace wheel cylinders, master cylinder, brake lines, etc.
During pad replacement, you just retract the wheel cylinders. Now if you
have brake fluid leaking from the wheel cylinders...
I would recommend getting a repair manual like Haynes, etc. These
manuals usually have a pretty good description of the brake pad
replacement procedure.
Front disk brake pads are cake. Haven't messed with my Dak yet, but
typically you just remove one of the caliper slide bolts and pivot it
back. Once the caliper is out of the way, the pads just unclip, you
press the piston back in with a C clamp, and clip in the new pads. While
the caliper is out of the way, the rotor can be removed and replaced.
Typically, front pad replacement only takes about a half hour not
counting messing with the rotors, and most of this time is spent jacking
up the vehicle, setting up stands, and removing and replacing the
wheels.
On the drum brakes, remove the wheel and pull off the drum (you may need
to back off the self-adjuster first before the drum will pull off).
Getting the pads off the rear is a bit more of a pain because of the
clips and springs, but they're not that bad - just pay attention to the
way the hardware comes off, and reverse the procedure to put em back on.
A big screwdriver and pliers (or better yet, a brake spring tool) are
useful for removing and replacing the springs.
The only real inconvenience is taking your rotors and drums to a shop to
get them turned (any brake shop, Pep Boys, etc.) if the Dak is your
primary mode of transportation - you will need a 2nd set of wheels to
get them there and back.
As Norm would say, "practice shop safety", and use jack stands. Not that
I ever do, of course... ;}
Bruce Aaron Hefner wrote:
>
> Robert I've helped change brakes before, it's really not that hard, the
> hardest part is avoiding squirting brake fluid on you when you bleed the
> brakes off, otherwise it's pretty easy....
>
> Bruce
>
jeff
98 RC 4x2 V8 5spd 3.55SG flares
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