Brake Pads

[max3456]

Anyone out there change brake pads yet? Any suggestions? Do I need any special tools? I sure wish I had a service manual.
Thanks

[rodeo02]

I like ceramic pads. No dust & they last a long time. Any name brand will do. Or anything from NAPA or carquest is good. As far as special tools, maybe a set of torx head sockets for the caliper mounting bolts, unless GM went back to regular hex head bolts for the TB's. A big "C" clamp to compress the caliper pistons will help, plus get a tube or two of silicone caliper slide grease for all the metal/metal contact points. The NAPA and Autozone websites have make/model specific DIY info. Might wanna try those.

G/luck
Joel

[rrclyoung]

For factory manuals go to www.helminc.com I have the factory manuals for all my cars, they are invaluable. You might be able to find used manuals on ebay, that is where I got mine for the 95' sable, a 2004 may be a little new though to have any used manuals to offer.

[rodeo02]

No doubt. Helms is the best manual you can buy.

Joel

[edbrycem]

If Im too late, sorry. I changed the rear brakes and rotors and I did not need special tools. just a 18 mm socket to get the assembly that holds the pads on. rotors aren't cheap though.......yikes. the front brakes i dont know, but I'm sure they are just as easy as the rear if not easier.

[rodeo02]

How easy did those rear rotors come off? Just curious to see if the parking brake shoes built into the hat of the rotor cause removal issues or not. How pricey were those rotors? Seems I always pick a vehicle with expensive rotors! I just did front brakes on my van yesterday. Cheapest rotors I could find were ~$40/ea.

G/luck
Joel

[edbrycem]

the rotors came off easy, nothing like drum brakes cuz it doesn't wear down inside since the only time the its used is for holding the truck in place and how often is the e-brake really used/ mine was like new inside and i had 50000mi then. They were......170-180.00 i believe for both.

[rodeo02]

Thanks edb. Wheew! $90 a pop for rear rotors! Man I'd hate to see what a dealer would charge. It's rediculous in the Buffalo NY area, typical dealer charge for a single axle brake job is $600 when the rotors need to be replaced. Over a grand if you need brakes all the way around. You gotta do brakes yourself these days. Especially if you want it done right.

Joel

[edbrycem]

ya i usually do stuff my self if i can, i couldn't afford to take it in. it dont cost as much here fortunately but its a smaller area so that helps

[dcdoc]

could you not get the rotors turned? and also, on the front and the rear can you take the rotors off without repacking wheel bearings? ('02 TB LS 4x4)
I'm facing this job myself and I don't want to take the truck into get it done.

[edbrycem]

I dont know about the front but the rear u dont have to repack. turning the rotors is cheaper but i prefer just getting new ones so i dont have to do it again. when i did my rears they were actually rotting through and couldn't be turned so i had no choice regardless.

[rodeo02]

There is no bearings to repack on TB wheel hubs. We have sealed bearings with floating rotors all the way around. The rotors will pull off the hubs once the caliper support brackets are removed.

Joel

[dcdoc]

Thanks very much for the info, I was not looking forward to repacking any wheelbearings.