When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
But would you say, compared to many other DIY repairs, is replacing rotors and pads easier or harder? On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being hardest to do, where does replacing pads and rotors rate?
Very few DIY will check the run out of a new rotor. Almost no DIY or very few shops will "bed" the new pads/shoes for the customer nor the DIY do the service. Very few almost no DIY will remove the master cylinder brake fluid and at least bleed the primary brake hydraulics when they do a simple rotor and pad>shoe replacement. And I have yet to read any DIY actually empty and clean the brake fluid reservoir? Almost no DIY knows how and has "ALL" the proper tools and diagnostic equipment to service the ABS which at least checking that system is part of a basic pad/shoe and rotor replacement. Regarding electric E-brakes most DIY stumble through the correct procedure and even on this forum we find questions on issues during or after the rotors and rear pad and rotor replacement with more than often the e-brake not working correctly or at all. How often do we see on forums pictures and how to YouTube the use of the absolutely incorrect and often damaging tools used for a rotor and pad replacement????
So you answer you own question? There is easier and harder and correct and half ****? Both are in the same question?
You would think spark plugs would be one of the easiest parts to change yet they fall into the same example of incomplete, incorrect and often time just wrong service steps and service steps missed?
Before ECU's and fuel injection DIY on motor vehicles was fairly straight forward.
But even back then my father a truck driver, who fancied himself a weekend wrench, always left me to actually repair and/or finish his maintenance endeavors.
If it was beyond me, I called my uncle, a trained mechanic who was an actual certified service manager at the local GMC/Cadillac/Olds dealer.
Back then most DIY men thought the more beers you had while doing the job, increased their knowledge base of it.
My first job at 12 years old, was replacing the boat trailer wheel bearings that my father had somehow managed to install backwards.
With my-self learned abilities and paying attention to my uncle when he was wrenching on his sports cars and old army Jeep, I had no issues with replacing brakes and all their parts among other all things vehicle.
Until the ECU/electronic parking brakes/fuel injection/motorcycle traction control systems came along.
That is a whole different scenario and requires proper training and tools something the average DIYer doesn't have either of.
Then add in the cost of today's vehicles it doesn't make sense to inadvertently cost yourself $5K or more on a fix gone wrong.
Of course, if you can afford the proper electronic tools than money isn't a concern for you.
And no, staying in a Holiday Inn won't help either.
Going from points to coil- on plug ignition and or fully controlled ECU operating system was simple task of going back to school and learning the skills and getting the training. However fully electric cars.........like tesla are how you feel about the generational jump and evolution of vehicles.
I won't get a certificate to become a Tesla or any other electric car
car Auto tech. For one the cost to become certified. Ranges from $9-12K Then there is a completely new investment in the required tools to do even simple brake work is in the several thousand dollar range. aprox 15K
Currently I do not know of any DIY that could correctly even do simple brakes on one?
My investment in what I do and all the certifications and specialized tools over 40+ decades $165,000 dollars.
I should have been a veterinarian. LOL
So I will be running an internal combustion engine instill they finally outlaw or restrict by law their use.
But would you say, compared to many other DIY repairs, is replacing rotors and pads easier or harder? On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being hardest to do, where does replacing pads and rotors rate?
I get that Callisto. At least he is asking BEFORE he is doing the work. I am considering trying the rear brakes on my Mazda, but the e-parking brake has me a bit concerned. I just want to challenge myself and see if I can do it. I actually don't trust most shops to measure runout when brakes are done.I seriously doubt the dealer would change the brake fluid and clean the reservoir either as a routine procedure.
I get that Callisto. At least he is asking BEFORE he is doing the work. I am considering trying the rear brakes on my Mazda, but the e-parking brake has me a bit concerned. I just want to challenge myself and see if I can do it. I actually don't trust most shops to measure runout when brakes are done. I seriously doubt the dealer would change the brake fluid and clean the reservoir either as a routine procedure.
I understand!
Depending on the miles it is actually in some service guides to check the brake fluid the visual condition of the brake fluid reservoir and make note of it. But I can say it is for fluid volume and not water content which is what reduces the brake fluids performance and also protecting the brake hydraulic system.
The other thing is the complete assumption with not only DIY but shops that assume the rotors are trued. It is a lost service for so many shops to take an extra 5 minutes and install and run the brake lathe across the surface to not only place a better finish on the surface but also double check for squareness. Everyone is ion such a hurry and tend to have a "I will deal with the problem if it happens" mentality. If I had to guess i would say 1 out of 20 rotors are not perfectly flat or we call it squared.
As for the electric E-brake all you have to remember is set the brake system in service mode and when you're finished to take it out of service mod. Otherwise, you have done enough rear pads and rotors that from that point it is the same.
