Is it easy to replace the brake pads on your own?

[troykillman]

My rotors were replaced by the dealership under warranty less than a year ago, and I know I am looking at needing new brake pads pretty soon.... I don't want to have to pay to have them done if I don't need to.. Does anyone know how easy it is to replace the pads just at home? Is it worth doing to save the money?

[Rodents]

It's not hard at all. Probably a Haynes or Chilton manual would cover it well enough if you never did it before. Is it worth it? Sure. If you take the time to do it the way it's supposed to be done, you'll be better off anyway. Too many shops just slap the pads on and don't clean anything up. Average DIY'er could do better work.

[MalibuKen]

Originally Posted by troykillman

Is it worth doing to save the money?

Maybe. IF you have any good mechanical experience......or apptitude.

For some people, disk brake pads are a good first repair experience.

For some, they shouldn't attempt ANY mechanical projects like that and only YOU know if you are competent or skilled enough to pull it off.

Gotta ask though: When they did the rotors, did they not put on new pads then too ?? How many miles on this set of pads ?

This is a quick and easy operation for an experienced mechanic. Before you decide, check the cost at a shop or two. It might be less than you think and you might decide it isn't worth getting your hands dirty.

[Mike7143]

Don't mean to hijack, but along the same lines, real quick, is the rotor held on with a 37mm nut? Or is it floating and I just pop the calipers off, the bracket off, and off comes the rotor? Gotta replace my fronts and pads, shaking gets worse every day.

EDIT:
OP may want to check out this video too, it's for rotors, but shows you what you've gotta do for a brake change too basically.
Did they change the method from this?

You Tube

You Tube

[RalphP]

Originally Posted by Mike7143

Don't mean to hijack, but along the same lines, real quick, is the rotor held on with a 37mm nut? Or is it floating and I just pop the calipers off, the bracket off, and off comes the rotor? Gotta replace my fronts and pads, shaking gets worse every day.

They "float" - that 37mm nut is to hold the HUB to the AXLE (or the knuckle on the non-driven wheels).

However, a) there may be retainer clips on the studs to hold the rotors on (put on during assembly - they don't want those rotors falling off before the calipers are put on!), and b) it's amazing how well rust will keep a rotor on.

So it may take a few grunts or some work on the retainer clip(s). But basically, yes, the caliper/pads hold it in place.

RwP

[dennisk]

If you decide to change your pads, while you have the caliper off, check your caliper pins. I clean mine and regrease them with caliper pin grease. Don't use the molykote, buy specific caliper pin grease. It'll withstand higher temperatures.

[malibu_2010]

That guy in video should have cleaned the hub with wire brush then apply silicone grease to the surface where back side of the rotor meets the hub to slow down rusting before he installed the rotor.

[ric0h]

anyone know the part number for the pads?

I can only find them in auto zone.

DG1160
DGC1364

Are these the original ones?

[hoahai]

Originally Posted by ric0h

anyone know the part number for the pads?

I can only find them in auto zone.

DG1160
DGC1364

Are these the original ones?

The OEM for my front brake pad is ACDelco 17D1160CH. It is the same kind quoted by my Dealership. It is also the same one in the Catalog of GM Parts Direct web site.
Check Amazon.com, it is only about $40 , including shipping.

Amazon

Amazon

I ordered one yesterday. Don't know when I will need to replace them yet. My Bu is currenlty 41K miles and the brakes still feel like the first day.

[vettenuts]

I finished installing Centric Street Performance pads and their e-coated high carbon rotors. The parts looked very good and fit well, but I wasn't fond of the rotors being built in China although my last GM rotors were also made there.