mwpayne

Ok, flame away, but this is my first attempt at replacing brake pads on any car, much less my 88 vert.
Got the factory manual, it says to remove caliper bolt and swing out. Which bolt is that pin? The manual has a (shitty) drawing, showing someone removing a bolt with a wrench from the bottom/outside of the brake assembly. All the heads on the bolts on my car are on the inside. Plus, looks to me like nothing can 'swing out' due to the metal brake line.
I'm sure this is so damn SIMPLE I can't figure it out, can one of you guys give me a step-by-step jump start?
Thanks in advance!

WAYNE88N/A

The "inside" heads to which you are refering are the ones you'll want to loosen...

Start on the front brakes first, they're somewhat easier than the back...

mwpayne

Ok, there's two 17mm bolts, and four 14's...I loosen the 14's to seperate the two 'halves' of the assembly allowing access to the pads?
Manual says squat about this..thanks for the help, but don't assume I know anything at this point.

Molotovman

iTrader: (49)

Hey, I'm gonna replace my rotors soon, and get new pads. But this will help him out too, Whats the best way to push the pistons back in?

nopistons

DO NOT seperate the halves of the caliper!!! I don't have the drawing here in front of me, but someone will answer your question, eventually.

mwpayne

Alright, I was afraid of doing that anyway, since the manual didn't mention it.
And, it's not my daily driver, so no deperation here. I would like someone to answer quickly before Landers sees my thread and gives me ****..

*Anxiously awaiting further instructions*

JerryLH3

iTrader: (11)

The fronts just slide out after removing the clips and pins. This is assuming four piston front brakes.

Pushing the pistons in on the front is just a matter of pushing them in with a clamp or using the special tool. On the back, the pistons screw back in, they are not pushed.

mwpayne

So, the pins just pull out, no bolt(s) to remove?

Wizz

I AGREE!

Okay, brake jobs should be pretty easy. Rusty bolts make it a pain. We'll start with the front. (SEE PIC) There are 2 17mm bolts that hold the caliper to the knuckle. It may help to turn the wheel to one side to get at them. Next there is a clip that holds the metal brake line to the strut. (SEE PIC) You can use a hammer and flat screw driver to TAP the clip off. You'll have to wiggle the line and caliper a bit to get it out.
With the rear you really only need to take one bolt out, one of the slider bolts. I can't remember, but its 10, 12, or 14mm. The caliper should swing open. (SEE PIC) If you're replacing rotors, you need to take the whole caliper off, 2x14mm bolts that hold the sandle on.

To push the piston back it I use a C-clamp and the old pad. The rear piston screws back in.


If I missed anything, please fill in.

mwpayne

THANKS, superb instruction.

Well, I'm a dumbass...I was looking at the manual for 14inch wheels...
Got one set of pads out, downhill from here! (I hope)

jhammons01

I am doing the rears right now, What do you mean "the rear screws back in". I have been squeezing that piston and it does not budge.

Wizz

You'll never get the piston to go back in if you're squeezing it. The piston screws in. If your calipers are in good shape you can use the tips of needle nose pliers in the grooves on the face of the piston. If not good shape, some vise grips around the end of the piston. Don't tear the rubber boot! The pics are fron the FSM. First one is how you are suppost to do it. The second is how to complete tear apart the caliper. You can ignore the directions on that page, I posted it because it has a better picture of the caliper and screwing the piston "in".

jhammons01

Thanks wizz, this should be an archive thread. Or one like it should be. One entitled "Rear Brakes are different, read why" by Wizz

Spent about 30 minutes prying that damn caliper back and after I figured out it wasn't going to budge......then I searched.