Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Brake Pads and Rotors

Okay now that you can do your own oil changes let's take it one more step - brake pads and rotors.  Obviously you'll need new pads and rotors for your car, but you'll also need:

~ jack
~ jackstands
~ rachet and socket set
~ tire iron
~ hammer (if necessary)
~ C-clamp

1. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheels. **LOOSEN ONLY!! DO NOT REMOVE YET!!**
2. Raise the car and position the jackstands underneath it the same way you did when changing the oil.
3. Remove the lug nuts and remove the wheels.
4. Loosen the caliper bolts (location: back of caliper).
5. Remove the brake pads.
6. Use one of the old brake pads and the C-clamp to push the caliper piston back in.
7. Remove the knuckle (bracket that holds brake pads) bolts (location: back side of rotor).
8. Remove rotor **note: this may require some effort to remove if the rotor hasn't been replaced in a while**
9. Put new rotor on.
10. Put knuckle and brake pads back on.
11. Put caliper back on.
12. Ensure all bolts are tightened and place the wheel back on and tighten lug nuts.
13. Lower vehicle.
14. Repeat for other brake set ups.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Let's Start Simple:

Okay, the easiest way for you to save yourself money is to do your own oil changes. You only need a small assortment of tools to complete this job:

~2 1/2 ton jack
~2 jackstands
~basic metric socket set
~drain pan
~empty 5-quart jug to put waste oil in

There's a chance you might get dirty on this job so its best to wear clothes that you wouldn't mind getting oil stains on.  Now you are ready to start!

1. Apply the parking brake
2. Place jack just underneath the front of the frame, just behind the sway bar (picture 1)
3. Lift vehicle high enough to place the jackstand underneath it.
4. Repeat 2 and 3 on the opposite side of the car
5. Position drain pan and use a 14mm socket to remove the drain plug (picture 2)
6. After oil is finished draining reposition drain pan underneath the oil filter (on the front of the engine block)
7. Unscrew and replace the filter
8. Remove jackstands.
9. Refill the car with oil. **START WITH 4 (FOUR) QUARTS!!**
10. Start vehicle and allow to idle for approx. 30 seconds
11. Shut the vehicle off and check oil level. Add if necessary.

You now know how to change your own oil. See? Not as hard as you thought right?

Picture 1                                                                       Picture 2