Brought out the MX-3 today

[xXx_OTEP_xXx]

Went and registered my MX and brought it home from my grandmother's house today, and I can really say that I'm happy as hell right now. I forgot how much I really love this car!

Right now she's filthy, has a dead battery (HOW DID MY OPTIMA YELLOWTOP DIE?!?! NOOOOO!!!!), and severely needs BRAKES. And my shift knob somehow broke off. Damn.

Time to give her a good cleaning =D
By the way, how much would it usually cost to do the brakes? I'm assuming I'd need pads, rotors, and whatever else.. I have drums in the back, so I'm thinking I'll do those while I'm at it, although I've heard they are a P.I.T.A.!

Would it be worth it for me to do the work myself or would a Meineke type place be a better bet? I've never done brake work before but I'm good with cars.. Thanks guys

[UKMXV6]

Me and my mate did me pads and disc's (rotors) last year and the hard part was dealing with the bolts that were well and trully stuck. Once we got past that it was very straight forward. Worth having a go at it your self. Never done drums before, (as the V6 has got disc's front and back) but i was reading a post about getting at them the other day just do a search and you will find all you need.

Nice one P

[perhapsadingo8yerbaby]

Agreed. Would seriously consider doing the work yourself although you should probably have some kind of adequate service manual instructions handy since this is your first time on DIY brake maintenance. It is def straightforward stuff (including the drums) & labor costs can kill ya if a shop does the work. I've seen too many shoddy brake shop jobs to feel all warm and fuzzy about the work they say was done, actually was completed and in a quality way. My 2 cents...

[mitmaks]

i would do work myself, if you got stuck bolts just buy some WD-40 and have breaker bar ready. of course do it yourself if you sure you can do it cause you dont want brakes to fade on you. Of course you can always try and if you cant do it just put it back together and take it to local brake shop.

[perhapsadingo8yerbaby]

Might wanna go with something like Liquid Wrench or better yet, PB Blaster for seized/rusty bolts. WD40 is more a lubricant spray than anything else & not highly effective on freeing stubborn parts. I switched to PB Blaster several years ago when the mechanic I sometimes used turned me onto it. IMHO, the stuff cannot be beat. Used to be hard to find but I think Advanced Auto Parts carries it now and maybe other places too. It literally penetrates & dissolves rust but won't harm any rubber parts.

[Damious]

disc brakes are pretty easy to do. but drums... ugh god i hate drums... lol)

[2RotorsNaDream]

Don't forget to bleed your brakes before you start working. You'll regret it if you don't.

[cjthor]

Originally posted by Illa Killa:
Don't forget to bleed your brakes before you start working. You'll regret it if you don't.

? If you dont take the brake lines off you shouldnt have to bleed anything.

[FlyingMXer]

Bleeding isn't needed unless you open the lines. If your talking about having to push the calipers back in to get the new pads in that can easily done with a c-clamp. Also, the best way I have found to do drums is to use a floorjack or stands so you can take both tires off at once. Then, remove drums and redo one side using the other side as a guide to make sure you have all of the springs in the right places. Finally do the other side, and if you have to you have the fixed wheel to refer to. Not too hard, just make sure you have a good set of pliers to stretch the springs.

Ohh and also a good idea to get a can of brake cleaner to get all of that old dust out while you have them open.

<small>[ May 26, 2004, 09:36 PM: Message edited by: FlyingMXer ]</small>

[perhapsadingo8yerbaby]

Originally posted by FlyingMXer:
...Not too hard, just make sure you have a good set of pliers to stretch the springs...

Yup, and you can purchase an inexpensive type of pliers specifically designed for working on drum assemblies if needed. Think I pd. around 6-$7 for mine.

[Nallboy]

You definitely should do it yourself if you can. When I first got my GS, I needed a brake job. I went to Brake Depot just for laughs and the dude quoted me almost $500 for four wheels: new rotors and pads! I then went to my local Autozone (Discount was outta stock for the rotors) and paid less than $75 for the parts. Did it myself in about 1.5 hours. Those guys make a killing.

[Bri94GS]

Dean, the discs are real easy...hit me up on AIM if you need help....i still have my Chilton's manual in my garage, you can take it...prob. will help with the drums. Later

[xXx_OTEP_xXx]

I'm goin to buy the pads and rotors tomorrow. I don't know if I'll do the drums now.. they probably don't need it. I dunno though..

I have a chiltons here somewhere

[MX3-Freak]

Drums arnt hard, I found them to be easier then my disks... but I'm wierd I guess .

[Shades]

To make sure you battery doesn't die next time you store your car... you should start your car up at least once a month and let it idle or drive it for 15 minutes... just to let the battery recharge. As you know, batteries do loose their charge over time.