Changing out the brakes - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center

Kelgalis · 02-20-2008, 01:17 PM

So I've had a new set of calipers (from znorris), new pads, new rotors, and new soft lines sitting around waiting for install for a couple weeks now. One of my work friends, who worked on a race team for 8 years, offered to help me out with it because I know very little about working on cars, and I have no idea how to bleed brake lines and such. So, he headed out to my place today to get them swapped out. We figured it would take no more than 3-5 hours. That estimate was keeping in mind that my car is a 94 that started life in Detroit then went off to South Dakota then to Minnesota, and it's probably been through every winter since it was new. However, a couple things came up.

Although he's an expert mechanic, he had never worked on a 3S before. We popped the front wheels off and he started to work on getting the bolts holding the calipers in place off, but he could not get them off, even with some help from a little PB blaster. Also, from what he saw he thought it looked like the rotors are one piece held on by the axle nut and washer, and that you'd need to press the bolts out of the rotor and repress them into the new rotors. But, he said it could just be that it's corroded enough that it would only appear this way.

I had never heard of anything like having to press out and repress anything for the brakes. I'm probably going to take it to a local one man shop and watch him do it, because I want to learn how so I can do it next time, but what do you guys think? Could it just be that some air tools are in demand because the bolts have been on there probably for the last 15 years since it was made?

- Kyle

NeoValentine · 02-20-2008, 01:29 PM

There's 2 17mm bolts holding the caliper on, the Rotor isn't help on by anything, it does get alittle stuck, use a rubber mallet to knock it off gently as to not drop and damage it.

Kelgalis · 02-20-2008, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeoValentine

There's 2 17mm bolts holding the caliper on, the Rotor isn't help on by anything, it does get alittle stuck, use a rubber mallet to knock it off gently as to not drop and damage it.

Those 2 bolts have probably been on there for 15 years, and they do NOT want to come off. Other than a little PB blaster, is there any good way to get them going other than air tools?

NeoValentine · 02-20-2008, 01:50 PM

Breaker bar.

Kelgalis · 02-20-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeoValentine

Breaker bar.

e.g. taking a hammer to the wrench? wouldn't go.

lawdogg · 02-20-2008, 01:55 PM

Be gentle with them. I torqued one off on my car and it SUCKED.

No, use a longer handle.

mrmuziklvr · 02-20-2008, 01:55 PM

Don't forget: Lefty-loosey righty-tighty.

Kelgalis · 02-20-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmuziklvr

Don't forget: Lefty-loosey righty-tighty.

I wish it was that simple

sappstter · 02-20-2008, 02:49 PM

Impact gun

Kelgalis · 02-20-2008, 03:04 PM

Went and bought a breaker bar from checkers. If that doesn't do it, I might just have to buy an impact wrench.

02-20-2008, 01:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kelgalis Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Minnesota Drives: 94 RT/TT Trader Rating: (7)	Changing out the brakes So I've had a new set of calipers (from znorris), new pads, new rotors, and new soft lines sitting around waiting for install for a couple weeks now. One of my work friends, who worked on a race team for 8 years, offered to help me out with it because I know very little about working on cars, and I have no idea how to bleed brake lines and such. So, he headed out to my place today to get them swapped out. We figured it would take no more than 3-5 hours. That estimate was keeping in mind that my car is a 94 that started life in Detroit then went off to South Dakota then to Minnesota, and it's probably been through every winter since it was new. However, a couple things came up. Although he's an expert mechanic, he had never worked on a 3S before. We popped the front wheels off and he started to work on getting the bolts holding the calipers in place off, but he could not get them off, even with some help from a little PB blaster. Also, from what he saw he thought it looked like the rotors are one piece held on by the axle nut and washer, and that you'd need to press the bolts out of the rotor and repress them into the new rotors. But, he said it could just be that it's corroded enough that it would only appear this way. I had never heard of anything like having to press out and repress anything for the brakes. I'm probably going to take it to a local one man shop and watch him do it, because I want to learn how so I can do it next time, but what do you guys think? Could it just be that some air tools are in demand because the bolts have been on there probably for the last 15 years since it was made? - Kyle __________________ '94 3000GT Base ATX - Sold '94 Stealth RT/TT - Sold '92 3000GT SL Pearl White Xbox Live Gamertag: \| 3STwinTurbo \|

02-20-2008, 01:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
NeoValentine MI SCUZI! MI SCUZI! Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: San Jose Drives: Twin Turbo SL Trader Rating: (40)	Re: Changing out the brakes There's 2 17mm bolts holding the caliper on, the Rotor isn't help on by anything, it does get alittle stuck, use a rubber mallet to knock it off gently as to not drop and damage it. __________________ R.I.P. Beastly-SRT 2/21/08 9:04AM-2/21/08 2:27PM

02-20-2008, 01:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
NeoValentine MI SCUZI! MI SCUZI! Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: San Jose Drives: Twin Turbo SL Trader Rating: (40)	Re: Changing out the brakes Breaker bar.

02-20-2008, 01:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
lawdogg Here for the tuna. Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Williamsport, PA Drives: The Speed Limit Trader Rating: (60)	Re: Changing out the brakes Be gentle with them. I torqued one off on my car and it SUCKED. No, use a longer handle. __________________ 2002 WJ -- 1994 VR-4 -- --Canon Rebel XTi Green Cars FTW

02-20-2008, 01:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
mrmuziklvr Mitsu's Rock Join Date: May 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Changing out the brakes Don't forget: Lefty-loosey righty-tighty.

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02-20-2008, 02:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
sappstter Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Martinez, CA Drives: '92 Stealth R/T TT Trader Rating: (6)	Re: Changing out the brakes Impact gun __________________ '92 Dodge Stealth R/T TwinTurbo

02-20-2008, 03:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kelgalis Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Minnesota Drives: 94 RT/TT Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Changing out the brakes Went and bought a breaker bar from checkers. If that doesn't do it, I might just have to buy an impact wrench.