Brake Project

[CaptSquid]

Well, it appears that I must replace the front brakes, rotors included. Midas wants $495 for the job, but I know that's a lot of shekels to part with for a relatively easy job.

She's the 98 AWD with ABS. I've replaced pads before, not a difficult task. I've never replaced the rotors before. That's why I'm asking for some assistance.

Do I look for AC/Delco parts (OEM) or do I go for Bendix or some other brand? I do know that one sometimes must pay for quality and durability, but there are so many brands available.

Because the beastie has ABS, do the front rotors need the reluctor ring? Are the bearings and races included?

[Cobra]

one the AWD's the rotor just slides onto the hub can't get any easier, the ABS sensor is in the hub no need to worry about it. I can't comment on rotors i've only ever used my house brand ones and never had a problem

[CaptSquid]

If I understand what you're saying, it's kinda like changing a tire. Just remove the caliper, pop off the old rotor (no tools needed) and reassemble, right?

[Cobra]

yup

[CaptSquid]

Muchos gracias, mi amigo. You have just managed to save me about $200.

[brokenwrench]

Muchos gracias, mi amigo. You have just managed to save me about $200.

you will need a 55 torx if the calipers have not been replaced before, 11mm on the line, 15 mm on the slider assembly bolts. an impact gun will be your friend with the caliper mount bolts , sometimes.

the usual failure of the calipers is the slider bolts seizing, there is an excellent fix so that it never happens again, with your new caliper slider assembly, drill and tap for a 1/8th grease (zerk) fitting for each pin, so four zerks on the front, this gives you four grease fittings pointing at you when you take off the wheel, be very carefull checking the slider pin boot, pull it out and check for cuts from installation. if i remember correctly, the correct letter drill size is "Q", which if I remember correctly is very close to 21/64. there are zerk fittings that you can just drill and hammer in also, no tapping, anyway , you know what goes next, you can now grease your sliders. it is kinda cool when you do this as it centers the rotors by moving the caliper and makes bleeding easier, grease guns make a lot of pressure,.

always use anti-seize compound on the bolts with reassembly, torque them to spec.

buy a "fully loaded" assembly.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

I bought a set of Brembo rotors at Tire Rack and they were great. I had a set of these on my 98 and they never gave any issues. I also have used the basic auto parts store brands (all made in china now) and have good luck with them as long as the lug nuts are torqued every time the wheels are off.

[Cobra]

torqued every time the wheels are off.

i swear that has got to be the most important way to avoid warped rotors

[brokenwrench]

torqued every time the wheels are off.

i swear that has got to be the most important way to avoid warped rotors

maybe I could have you come and do a talk in my shop, simple rule, i can discern the sound of an impact gun tightening wheel nuts from 250 yards,

[LiftedAWDAstro]

maybe I could have you come and do a talk in my shop, simple rule, i can discern the sound of an impact gun tightening wheel nuts from 250 yards,

Just break one of the guys' arms and the rest will listen!

[Cobra]

lol i wish i could do that here people just don't give a damn about doing the job properly

[97CargoCrawler]

With your level of inexperience you should just have the professionals do it for you.

[Cobra]

how do you get experience if you always have someone else do it.....?

[97CargoCrawler]

Someone who asks these types of questions should at the very least have someone there to talk them through it. Sounds like he doesn't have (or can't follow) a service manual. This isn't the guy I want coming up behind me at a stop light.