At Times It Sure Pays To Know How To Do Basic Maintenance And Parts Replacement

[Grumpy]

I won,t identify the car brand or year, or model,
here as the thread would likely apply to most newer cars.
the front brake calipers on my wife's car started to intermittently and randomly and only partially,
and only momentarily vibrate and lock to the rotors for a fraction of a second at random times and speeds.
the cars got 100 k miles and its on its second set of brake pads,
but this is the first caliper related issue.
I called the local dealership and ask about the cost and availability of ..
two new calipers, two new rotors/ discs, and brake pads for the front of the car.
I was quoted just under $700 for those parts alone, I remind readers,...thats,
not labor or taxes and that's not with part core return charges, added , which are extra.
then if I wanted the parts installed it would be several hundred dollars more.
so I called a long list of local auto parts stores...
most had maybe a rotor, some had lower quality replacement brake pads,
no one had both calipers, most stated they could get them in about 4-6 days,
if I came down and ordered the parts
prices tended to range in the $440-$480 for the list of components.
I was surprised when NAPA said two_three days, to get the requested parts list,
and the cost, about $420 and Id get about $44 back on the caliper cores return,
dropping true parts cost to the mid $380s
now I know from experience you can rather easily install new rotors calipers and brake pads on the car,
bleed the brakes and have the car up and running, in under 2 hours.
this is hardly difficult nor does the job require exotic tools or skills.
so if you have just basic tools, like floor jacks and jack stands and a few hand tools,
you could certainly do the work yourself and reduce the total cost,
of a real basic front brake repair job by at least 45%-60%
that's in this case easily $400 plus saved in this case over what a dealer may charge

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton...-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-orange-64241.html

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/floor-jacks.969/#post-93751

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...er-brake-pads-and-drum-wear.13975/#post-72991

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/brake-pads.5241/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ading-the-suspension-on-a-c-4.483/#post-70339

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/troubleshooting-brakes.527/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/under-car-safety.26/

 

[Grumpy]

https://www.amazon.com/OrionMotorTech-Caliper-Compressor-Spreader-Replacement/dp/B07GXL18WP

25/30 $ ON AMAZON OR EVIL BAY FOR THE WIND BACK REAR CALIPERS.I BOUGHT 1.
U CAN USE IT ON THE FRONTS ALSO INSTEAD OF THE C CLAMPS.LOWER CASE,TOP RIGHT ADAPTER.
https://www.permatex.com/videos/permatex-ultra-disc-brake-caliper-lube-hd/

btw thanks for posting that linked idea on the disc brake tool,
Im sure several people will benefit

at times finding the cause of a problem can be entertaining..
last Friday, one of my neighbors called a local dealership,
to arrange an appointment with that dealer's service dept.
he said the brakes , on his 1995 vette, started acting "funny",
as yes they worked,
but had started to required a great deal of effort that was not previously required about a week ago.
,the dealer told him to come in Monday.
not wanting to wait over the weekend my friend had a local tire store service and replace the brakes, getting the car back,
he said it was only marginally improved so he asks me to look over the car..
it took about 10-12 minutes to locate the source of the problem,
and he almost went face-first into the windshield the first time he applied the brakes,
after I made a minor change, as he was by now used to stomping on the brake pedal to stop the car...
his whole issue was that the vacuum hose.
that connected the brake booster to the engine had come mostly loose.
only after I pointed out the problem did he reluctantly admit he might have unplugged the hose during a recent tune-up

 

[Grumpy]

well the brake parts I needed came in ,
and I decided to try and teach my 14 year old grandson,
how to do a basic brake caliper replacement,
and take the time to explain how each component works,
how to replace them, and it was rather interesting.
The kids never even used a ratchet wrench as my older son (his dad)
has been in poor physical shape,since he was about 4 years old
( KIDNEY PROBLEMS, DIABETES AND HAD MOST OF ONE FOOT AMPUTATED RECENTLY AS A RESULT)
HES BEEN LIVING WITH ME AND I've BEEN PARTLY SUPPORTING HIM FOR THE LAST 7-8 YEARS
the first issue was the kids just not got the required upper body strength to remove lug nuts even with an 18" breaker bar.
but we got the job done in about three times the time frame I expected
and the cars now repaired correctly

 

[Indycars]

Did he seem interested and enjoy the experience ?

 

[Grumpy]

interested, yeah maybe, but he seems to be rather clutzy and less than mechanically inclined,
I know at his age I was reading every hot rodding, hunting, and machinist magazine I could get my hands on,
I was over at the older neighbors that had 1955-64 muscle cars watching,
listening and helping whenever I was allowed to,
and I had watched several guys rebuild engines and manual transmissions,
because I found it rather interesting,
my dad had several degrees as a tool and die maker and machinist so I guess its something in my DNA,
that seems to be diluted after a few generations,,
his dads got a masters degree in computer forensics/
and my other younger so has a masters in both computer forensics and one in internet security
both sons are not into cars all that much..
but the younger so (late 40s now) likes 4x4 trucks

 

[Grumpy]

theres a sense of satisfaction in having a car run much better after youve made minor repairs,
than before you started and even my grandson mentioned the improvement,
so I guess the time and effort spent teaching may prove worth the time I spent