Gen4 brake rotors and pads replacement

[Luc]

After getting all the parts through here, since overall, they had the cheapest prices, I spent about 4 hours replacing the entire front and rear rotors and pads. The rotors were Brembo-made for OEM and the pads were PBR semi-metallic.

Original front:


Use a coat hanger to suspend the caliper, so the brake line won't be tugged on:


Once the pads and torque plates are removed, the front looks like this:


New front:


Original rear:


The rear stripped should look like this, use some brake cleaner to spray it down:


New rear:


To remove the rotors from the axle hub, use two long enough 10mm machine screws to back them out:


If the rear rotors won't release, turn the parking brake adjuster wheel clockwise:


Note: The front calipers are removed by taking out 2 bolts. The rear calipers are taken out by removing the lower bolt, pivot, and slide out since the top isn't removable, as it's stuck to the torque plate. Remove the bolt securing the brake line to the strut for adjustability.

Thanks to SilverStreak for some hints, as originally, I tried to use a hammer and 3/8" extension to loosen up the original rotors, as they were stuck. Luckily, an extra car and a run to the local hardware store, I didn't waste too much time trying my "caveman" method.

I haven't had time to drive out and try them yet, only backed in and out of the garage, as we're getting up to 12 inches of snow here.

[Toysrme]

Cool beans luc. You can install a s/c, but need help changing brakes? Silly man!

A little tip to keep them looking nice over their lifetime is to spray a few coats of some high-temp paint all over the rotors hats, out into the area the pads contact.
That way you can have nice clean wheels with nice clean matching rotors instead of the normally rusty shit.



(Don't worry about spraying into the area the pads contact. The pads will scrub the paint off the first time you touch the brakes.)

[Luc]

I thought about using some high temperature paint over those area, but I was too eager to slap them on.

The Haynes manual has tons of pictures on changing the front and rear pads, but only a small paragraph on how to take the rotors out. So I did a search and came across SS's site, asked him about it, and he gave me some hints.

I had a friend who did help (a bit) with the S/C installation, since at the 10th hour, I needed some visual aid with the vacuum hoses since he had his S/C installed at a dealer.

When spring/summer comes, I'll probably spray some paint. Right now, I just want to rest from squatting all those 4 hours yesterday working in the wheel wells and shoveling the endless snow.

[Silver Streak]

Glad to see it all worked out...those machine screws really helped eh? Unfortunately for me, they cracked my whole rotor in half, I had to resort to brute force.

I tried painting my rotors with high-temp paint...gave it a few coats, I really took my time with it. However, it didn't make it over the winter. All that snow, salt really worked away at the paint, and it finally rusted out. I know Phi tried the same thing, and his rusted out too. I just end up repainting them every time I swap out my winter tires.

Here's a nice pic of the brembo's painted:

[Luc]

Yup, those machine screws saved a lot of time, thus it was worth the extra time to go to the hardware store and find the correct ones. When I first heard the crackling sound, I was hoping the rotors would be intact when they come off, so i gently turned both screws evenly until they came off without shattering.

I can see how the paint would rub off and rust still occurs, since it gets pretty hot down there with the brakes always working. It's worse for me since I have steelies on. I would probably sand the hub down to rid of the rust, prime it, and paint it.

Speaking of Phi, where is he? I've yet to see or hear from him since his retirement from moderator status.

[jaywelliott]

Originally Posted by Silver Streak

Glad to see it all worked out...those machine screws really helped eh? Unfortunately for me, they cracked my whole rotor in half, I had to resort to brute force.

I tried painting my rotors with high-temp paint...gave it a few coats, I really took my time with it. However, it didn't make it over the winter. All that snow, salt really worked away at the paint, and it finally rusted out. I know Phi tried the same thing, and his rusted out too. I just end up repainting them every time I swap out my winter tires.

Here's a nice pic of the brembo's painted:

Is the torque plate that blue skinny curved arm that runs north/south in this picture?
If so, how the heck do you get that off. Mine is secured by two 7mm hex nuts. I can't get them to budge.