Changing front rotors ?

Hey guys, just got myself a 1993 323 hatch and it needs front brakes changed. How difficult is the replacing of rotors and pads ? I have Haynes manual and it seems pretty manageble, has anyone done this ?


EDIT: I took off the wheel to inspect the brakes for myself. It seems that brake pad is frozen, it touches the disk even if brakes are not pressed. Disk seems to be in a good condition. Do you think the caliper is gone?

Car still stops, but brake pedal pulsates and needs to be pressed down pretty hard. I guess car is being stopped only by rear drums.

Your opinions ?


Thanks, Mike.

Brake pads are supposed touch or almost touch the rotor if the brakes aren't pressed. If there was a big gap between the rotor and the pad the brake pedal would got to the floor when braking. To test the caliper jack the front wheels and have someone push the brake pedal and try turning the front wheel by hand. The calipers are probably OK. A pulsating brake pedal can be caused by tires or warped rotos.

Clifton

Update: Jacked it up and tested the brakes. Wheels spun freely with little friction when brake was not applied, and were unmovable when brake was applied. So the Calipers are good I guess. But brake pads are completely gone and I rotors are warped like you said. So I got brake pads and rotors from Kragen today, hopefully will have enough time to install them after I come back from work tonight.

UPDATE: Paid the mechanic 80$ to change pads and rotors, car stops fine now with no pulsation or anything.

Mike, Thanks for letting us know the problem is corrected. Good to hear it wasn't expensive or difficult.

Clifton