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ZX2Fast
03-04-2009, 06:25 PM
I'll be working on this a little at a time. I'm still working on the ATX/MTX removal/installation video.

Link to video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54993698

Tools
17 mm socket
Ratchet for the socket
Short extension
C-clamp
Needle nose pliers
Hammer
Jack
Jack stand

Supplies
Rotor (part# ####)
Brake pads (part# MKD####)
Hardware kit (part# H5798)
Brake parts cleaner.

* Before getting started, remove the brake fluid filler cap. The fluid level will rise when you push the pistons back into the calipers. *

1. Jack the car up and place on the jack stand(s). If you are using a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts, you'll want to loosen them before you jack the car up. Remove the wheel(s). You might want to remove both wheels and work on one side at a time in case you need a reference.

2. Use the 17 mm to remove the bolts holding the outer caliper on. You may have to use the hammer to help you loosen them. The upper bolt is usually blocked by the brake hose and so you'll may need to use the extension there.

3. Once the bolts are out, you can pull the outer caliper straight off. Also take the rotor off. Dis-assemble the outer caliper by removing the first pad and then taking the 'W' clip off. Then remove the retaining pin(s) (some of them use two pins and some are one long pin) then remove the second pad. Now you can pull the guide pins out.

4 Use the C-clamp to push the caliper piston back in.

5. Re-assemble the outer caliper. Put the guide pins in. Then install the pad and install the retaining pin(s). Now put the 'W' clip back on and note the orientation in the picture. Now put the last pad on. If a new rotor is to be used, be certain you spray it off with brake parts cleaner before you install it. They have an oil on them to keep them from rusting in storage. Put the new pad spacers on the knuckle, look at the picture for reference.

6. Put the rotor on, followed by the outer caliper. There are holes in the inner caliper for the guide pins to slide into. Once you have this lined up and pushed in, you can put the 17 mm bolts back in and tighten them up.

7. Re-install the wheel, put the car on the ground, and re-install the cap. If the fluid level is too high, then use a turkey baster to remove some of it.

VERY IMPORTANT!!!
Before you move the car you need to pump the brakes to build the pressure back up. Otherwise, your car won't stop the first few times you push the brakes.

ZX2ner23
03-06-2009, 07:05 PM
Why do you take the caliper bracket off? I just remove the two 14mm bolts holding the caliper on and then proceed to do the rest. Seems like a lot of work. good write up though.

ZX2guy19
03-06-2009, 07:06 PM
Your way is more work. Taking just the front off is 20x times easier.

ZX2ner23
03-06-2009, 07:34 PM
I guess I miss understood how you did it.

ZX2Fast
03-06-2009, 10:21 PM
Your way is more work. Taking just the front off is 20x times easier.

The front part of the caliper is what I took off. Removing the 14 mm bolts remove the whole caliper. Removing the 17 mm bolts removes the front of the caliper.

ZX2guy19
03-06-2009, 10:38 PM
I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to the other guy.

ZX2ner23
03-07-2009, 03:58 PM
Sorry to doubt you, just looked at my car and I've never notice those two bolts before, I didn't know that the caliper came apart! I now see why it's easier.

ZX2Fast
03-31-2009, 06:32 AM
Video done and added.

TreystaHANN
05-04-2009, 11:52 AM
WOW!! Watching this video, made it make a lot of sense! I thought I was in it for a long haul... but I think I could do it myself! Thank you for the video!!

Just so I know, Would the steps change at all if I put slotted rotors and hawk pads on?
Also, if I was to paint the caliper, Would there be any part that i would need to tape off?

ZX2guy19
05-04-2009, 01:43 PM
^^

Brake pads are brake pads and rotors are rotors. No difference :)

ZX2Fast
05-05-2009, 02:38 PM
All the same, just make sure you put the rotors on the right direction. You won't have to tape anything off to paint if you paint only the outer caliper. The part that holds the pads and pins.

ChrisZX2
05-10-2009, 11:02 PM
Sorry to doubt you, just looked at my car and I've never notice those two bolts before, I didn't know that the caliper came apart! I now see why it's easier.

You’re not the only one, I always took the whole caliper off to do this, lol.

Great vid, will the MTX Swap vid be available soon?

ZX2Fast
05-14-2009, 04:03 AM
I'm in the process of moving right now. I'll start work on it again after the move.

ilarson007
06-19-2009, 11:07 AM
Yeah... I removed the 14mm bolts when I did it.... way a lot more work... I never even knew you could take off just the front of the caliper... Also, on older rusted calipers such as mine, I had a hell of a time getting the new pins to slide in (i was using a hammer to get the stupid things in).... something to think about, you definitely want some lubrication.

fireguy
03-16-2010, 10:41 AM
Does it make a difference as to whether the pad with the squealer is on the inside or outside of the rotor (obviously the actual pads face the rotor on the corresponding side)?

Does it matter whether the squealer is oriented on the top on the bottom either?

Mine ended up being on the outside of both rotors with the squealers on the bottom.

Also, I am noticing a thumping sound when braking on a right hand turn. It sounds like a wheel bearing but this wasn't present before.. Does that make sense?

EDIT: I just took off both wheels again to inspect anything and can't see where anything would be rubbing..

ZX2Fast
03-16-2010, 06:28 PM
I think the sqeaks go on the outside pad and face down. As for your thump, did you use new pad shims on the points the pads slide on the bracket?

fireguy
03-16-2010, 09:59 PM
Yes I did use new shims; I got the new hardware kit. I did notice that on my passenger side, the inner pad sits very snug between the shims. When I took everything apart, it was stuck between the shims pretty good. This was not the case for the driver's side. On the driver's side the inner pad just seems to rest in between the shims "gently" so to speak. It almost seems like the gap between the shims is somehow off. I noticed that when taking out the old pad, it was pretty well lodged between the shims as well.

The noise is coming from the passenger side. I did just drive it 150 miles round trip (almost all highway), but I didn't notice anything. I only noticed the thumping on slow right hand turns before though..

NighthawkZX2
03-18-2010, 03:45 PM
^ same here

fireguy
03-18-2010, 07:47 PM
I didn't notice anything the last two days at all now.. Idk if I didn't have the wheel on right or if the problem just "worked" itself out or what..

5spzx2
09-02-2011, 09:33 AM
Very nice and informative posts and video, ZX2Fast!

I just bought a 2000 ZX2 with only 94K miles. I am doing the front brakes this weekend, so I appreciate the info on this site.

I noticed that you didn't use any disk brake quiet compound for this application. You don't have any noise when you brake?

ZX2Fast
09-02-2011, 05:31 PM
I usually spray mine on the back of the pads.

blue99fordzx2
09-02-2011, 07:01 PM
i never spray mine and have yet to hear a noise i can hear in the car :shrug:

Meta
05-10-2012, 08:41 AM
Anyone know where to find a "W" retaining clip, the one where each end sticks into the small holes into the caliper pins? The hardware kit at autozone only has the "M" clips...

ZX2Fast
05-10-2012, 05:56 PM
Have you ever tried to by M&M's and threw them away when you noticed they are W&W's?

JohnP
05-10-2012, 09:47 PM
I just did front pads on my daughters ' 98 ZX2 MTX , about 15 minutes a side . Both sides had a broken "W" spring . I happen to have some so no problem . A few yrs ago I bought 5 rebuilt prs. of front calipers loaded , look new with all new hardware an pads packaged. If anybody needs any .