groovespacer wrote:Anyone got links to tutorials on this and for changing brake pads?
Hey man, just yesterday i changed the pads for my 99SE and it's VERY easy (once you figure out what tha hell u r doing). It took me a few more hrs than what it should've, but that's because it was my 1st time (yaaay
) and i was being extra careful. Also, it helps to read the freaking instructions (not just look at the pics lol
). I recommend you buy the Haynes manual at ur local PepBoys or wherever u can find one. But if u can aford/find one keep reading (keep in mind this is for a 99 Solara w/4 disc brakes, other models may very)
If all you are doing is replacing the pads, then you'll need to remove two(2) 12mm bolts in the back of the calipers (front wheels) and only one(1) for the back tires. The calipers on the front you have to remove once u take these 2 bolts out and the one on the back tires slides up (u'll see what i mean once you remove that bolt at the very bottom on the back of the caliper). You'll need a C-clamp to move the piston back to make room for the new pads. Then even after installing the new pads, and moving the piston to make room for them, if you cant still get the calipers back in place, keep in mind that the are where the 12mm bolts go, CAN move (that's something i did not find in the instructions and took me almost 2 hrs to figure out!)
all u gotta do is push them back with ur fingers! Anyway, that's all it is, to change the pads, hope that helps man....
PS. if you are changing the rotors, use these instructions, plus the link provided to you above, and also keep in mind that to remove the rotors, you dont necessarily need to remove the calipers completely. What i did was to use a bungee cord to hold them against the struts as i removed the back rotors (just wanted to do it for the hell of it so that i'd know what to do when i get some Brembos). And to remove the rotors, the 2 bolts in the back are 14mm (not 17 as the instructions said). NOTE: When doing the back wheels, make sure your emergency brake is NOT on (kinda learned that the hard way LOL). Then just pull them out, and if they are too rusty, no need to hammer them, use the same 12mm bolts to screw them in the 2 holes in the rotors, that will separate them from the car and u can easily take them out. I didnt do the rotors in the front due to lack of time, but the instructions from SuperStreet should be able to walk you thru with no problem. Good luck!
by groovespacer » Mon May 31, 2004 8:02 pm 
