87 camry break replacement

[eric.servais]

I'm trying to figure out 1.) What it entails to replace the pads and rotors on an 87 camry and 2.) How difficult it is to do this myself with just basic knowledge. If anyone could help, it would be much appreciated. Thanks, Eric

[Mike Gerber]

It's pretty easy. Get a manual to guide you along. Basically, once you have the front of the car in the air safely supported on jack stands and the wheels removed, you remove the 2 14MM bolts that hold the caliper to the mounting bracket. Now take a large c-clamp or a pair of channnel locks and squeeze the piston slowly all the way back in to the caliper. Some brake fluid will probably come out of the master cylinder but do not be allarmed by this; it is perfectly normal. You can wipe off the master cylinder when you are done. Now hang the caliper out of the way. I use an old hanger bent in the shape of a U with small hooks bent at the top and put it through the caliper and hang it on the coil spring. Now remove the pads and the antiqueal shims from the mounting bracket, noticing which pad has the pad wear indicator and where the indicator is. Now remove the 2 17MM bolts that hold the caliper mounting bracket on to the car. Now take off the rotor. If the rotor is stuck on use the 2 threaded holes in the rotor with 2 corresponding bolts to lever the rotor off. Have the old rotors turned and replace them on the car keeping them oriented on the same side of the car, or install new rotors. Then bolt the caliper mounting bracket back on. Now insert the new pads and antisqueal shims in their proper place in the caliper mounting bracket. (I prefer to use some spray "Disk Brake Quiet" on the backs of the pads before installing, to prevent noise from pad vibration, but this step is optional. It takes about 5 or 10 minutes for the stuff to set up.) Now bolt the caliper back on. Replace the wheels and you are done. Once you have the car back on the ground start the car but don't move it. Pump the brake pedal until you feel a firm pedal. This will bring the pads back in to contact with the rotors. Now you can go for a ride. Take braking easy for the first 100 miles or so. This will allow the pads to seat properly on the rotors.

One other bit of advice; do one side at a time so you will have the other side to refer to if you have any questions.

Mike

[Brian R.]

Check the FAQ thread for details on this subject.