brake job

[geo1nj]

havent worked on cars for a while and thinking of changing by front brakes. After 32 k miles im getting a shimmy when hitting the brakes on my 07 camry. is there any special tools needed for this? i was also told im better off just replacing the rotors. Is it better to go with the stock rotors or the ones with the holes in them. they say they never warp but i also hear they can be quite noisy.

[CamrySExxx]

stay with stock rotors. If anything just get them resurfaced. And the tools you'll need would probably be.. a jack , jack stands, tire iron to take off lugs or if you have air tools that would be easier. And a basic socket set should get you through it. I cant see a gen6 having much rust at all so it should be a farily simple job.

[geo1nj]

No special tools to get the brake calipers off?

[MDTRD]

You shouldn't need any special tools. I changed the front brakes on my wife's old 05 Corolla with just simple hand tools. Took me like 40 mins total because I was my 1st time on her car.

Ditto on the turning the rotors. At 32k, you shouldn't need new rotors.

[khanh007]

Originally Posted by geo1nj

havent worked on cars for a while and thinking of changing by front brakes. After 32 k miles im getting a shimmy when hitting the brakes on my 07 camry. is there any special tools needed for this? i was also told im better off just replacing the rotors. Is it better to go with the stock rotors or the ones with the holes in them. they say they never warp but i also hear they can be quite noisy.

I would recommend changing the rotors. Yes, you can turn/machine the rotors, but new rotors are so cheap (about $38 a piece at rockauto.com for the 07 Camry SE). Turning the rotors depends on the lathe, the person, etc. If it comes back crappy, then you have the same pulsation when braking and a new headache. If you can spare the extra $80...get new rotors and spare yourself any possible future headaches...

You will not need any special handtools other than regular wrenches and ratchets...

Remember to lubricate the brake pad seating mounts/clips. Apparently, this is a major cause of why brakes squeak after changing new pads. I haven't experienced this, but I've read a lot about it.

Check this series of videos out for tips. I would recommend watching each video at least once:

http://www.expertvillage.com/video-s...lace-check.htm

Good luck.

Khanh

[touringcamry]

Since no one has mentioned it, you need a C-clamp to push the piston back into the caliper.

[geo1nj]

Originally Posted by khanh007

I would recommend changing the rotors. Yes, you can turn/machine the rotors, but new rotors are so cheap (about $38 a piece at rockauto.com for the 07 Camry SE). Turning the rotors depends on the lathe, the person, etc. If it comes back crappy, then you have the same pulsation when braking and a new headache. If you can spare the extra $80...get new rotors and spare yourself any possible future headaches...

You will not need any special handtools other than regular wrenches and ratchets...

Remember to lubricate the brake pad seating mounts/clips. Apparently, this is a major cause of why brakes squeak after changing new pads. I haven't experienced this, but I've read a lot about it.

Check this series of videos out for tips. I would recommend watching each video at least once:

http://www.expertvillage.com/video-s...lace-check.htm

Good luck.

Khanh

[geo1nj]

Thanks Khanh, is there any cost to join the expert village video site. It looks like a very helpful site.

[kenny1773]

Originally Posted by khanh007

I would recommend changing the rotors. Yes, you can turn/machine the rotors, but new rotors are so cheap (about $38 a piece at rockauto.com for the 07 Camry SE). Turning the rotors depends on the lathe, the person, etc. If it comes back crappy, then you have the same pulsation when braking and a new headache. If you can spare the extra $80...get new rotors and spare yourself any possible future headaches...

You will not need any special handtools other than regular wrenches and ratchets...

Remember to lubricate the brake pad seating mounts/clips. Apparently, this is a major cause of why brakes squeak after changing new pads. I haven't experienced this, but I've read a lot about it.

Check this series of videos out for tips. I would recommend watching each video at least once:

http://www.expertvillage.com/video-s...lace-check.htm

Good luck.

Khanh

I agree with khanh007

I would change the rotors juts because they are cheap.

Don't bother with the cross-drilled or slotted rotors, go with a good brand OEM replacement.

[wilfredcruz]

I would first inspect them.
I was going to change mine at 30k but I took them out, copared to new ones and they still have plenty of meat on it.

[khanh007]

Originally Posted by geo1nj

Thanks Khanh, is there any cost to join the expert village video site. It looks like a very helpful site.

No cost. They have a ton of other videos on car repair/maintenance as well as home improvement/maintenance that came in handy for me as well. I love that site.

I had never done the rotors or brake pads on any car in my life, but I watched the set of videos I linked for you and got my rotors/pads changed easily.


- Khanh

[camryen08]

Originally Posted by touringcamry

Since no one has mentioned it, you need a C-clamp to push the piston back into the caliper.

+1
I spend 20 min to figure this out when i replaced my 97 corolla's
break pad last year.
I did some research on web, i chose to replace the rotor with OEM replacement, and got pads from Dealer. That would give you a quiet ride.

I have a question for touringcamry, Any idea anything different
when DIY for cars with or without ABS?
My gen6 camry may also need new break pad in the near future.....
Thanks a lot~

[geo1nj]

I saw on some other messages that people are saying the rotors are covered under the 3 year 36000 mile warranty. I will call tomorrow and see what the dealer says and get back to everyone. The most they can say is no right? Im going to check out the videos now thanks

[camryen08]

Originally Posted by camryen08

Any idea anything different when DIY for cars with or without ABS?

I just find out that AUTOZONE already update their free repair
guide to 2006 ( for TOYOTAs ). Looks like no difference for changing
break pad and rotor.

[khanh007]

Originally Posted by geo1nj

I saw on some other messages that people are saying the rotors are covered under the 3 year 36000 mile warranty. I will call tomorrow and see what the dealer says and get back to everyone. The most they can say is no right? Im going to check out the videos now thanks

The dealer will tell you that they will need to inspect the rotors to see if it is covered under warranty.

You will be charged a brake inspection fee.

If it is covered under warranty, then the fee is waived. If not (they think it is your fault) then they will charge you the inspeciton fee.

At least that's how my dealer trip went. So I decided to take that 70$ inspection fee that I would have been charged (since it was my fault the rotors were warped - torqued nuts too tight on wheel rotation) and bought new rotors.

- Khanh