Newbie Questions

[DownriverDawg]

Let me start out by saying this is my first post so hopefully I won't ask too many dumb questions. I am the original owner of a 98 Sport which for the most part I have always had worked on by local garages. I recently decided after reading many posts that I probably can do alot of the work myself and save quite a bit of money. Anyway my first 2 jobs I am going to be attempting are changing all four rotors and brake pads, and then changing the ball joints. Other than the major parts that I need, should I be aware of any little things I might overlook? Any small parts that I will need? Any helpful tips? Thanks in advance for any help you all can give me.

 

[JoeMahma]

Let me start out by saying this is my first post so hopefully I won't ask too many dumb questions. I am the original owner of a 98 Sport which for the most part I have always had worked on by local garages. I recently decided after reading many posts that I probably can do alot of the work myself and save quite a bit of money. Anyway my first 2 jobs I am going to be attempting are changing all four rotors and brake pads, and then changing the ball joints. Other than the major parts that I need, should I be aware of any little things I might overlook? Any small parts that I will need? Any helpful tips? Thanks in advance for any help you all can give me.

One thing I can add. The rear rotors are a bi*ch to get off. They have a set of drum type brake shoes on the inside that are the parking brake pads. Might as well get a set of those while you're at it. Sometimes the mechanicals on these rust and freeze up causing them to wear down to nothing and stick inside of the rotor making it very difficult to remove. There is an access hole in the back that you can use to back off the adjustment and allow the shoes to back away from the rotor therefore allowing you to get the rotor over the brake shoes. Clean up all of the hardware on these and use a small amount of brake grease on the moving parts...make sure it is all moving freely before replacing the shoes. This is probably the hardest part of replacing the rotors. Good luck with the repairs.

 

[gijoecam]

The job isn't terribly difficult... there are a few how-tos and tons of other good tips and tricks on this site. Ball Joints aren't terribly difficult either, just a little time-consuming. Again, a quick search of this site will turn up TONS of good info.

Be sure to ask if you have any questions. We're happy to help!

Oh, and welcome to the site!!

Are you in the 'downriver' area of SE MI? Where have you had the work done? I grew up in Grosse Ile, lived in Trenton for a few years, then moved a little further downriver to Newport.

 

[DownriverDawg]

Hey GIJOECAM, I sent you an e-mail.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome to the forum

 

[gijoecam]

Sent you an e-mail back... If this is who I think it is, you should easily be able to handle the job... it's no transfer press...

I'll even lend a hand if you need one... You'll want to make sure you've got the hardware (including springs, hold-downs, and adjusters) and brake shoes for the emergency brakes, new pads, rotors, and hardware for the brakes, a ball joint installation kit, a good pickle fork, a good 4-pound baby-sledge hammer, a good set of jack stands, a good floor jack, a good set of wrenches, air tools would be helpful... And since you're going to be in there anyways, I'd replace the upper ball joints and tie rods too unless they've been done recently. Also, if you don't have them, a set of brake adjusting spoons makes the job MUCH easier than using a screwdriver...

-Joe