Are brake pads easy to install?

[HamMach1]

Are they easy? I passed my inspection but my pads are apparently pretty shot. Are the Hawk pads a pretty good replacement for the factory?

[np_mach1]

Not sure about Hawk pads being good (meaning I don't know) But pads are beyond easy to install. Take off your rims unbolt the caliper, put some anti sqeel stuff on the pads and put back together. Make sure you have a c-clamp to push the brake calpier solenoid back in, and make sure you do not open the brake fluid line.

[03Tremec]

[np_mach1]

One more important thing... make sure you put the pad to the brake rotor and not the back of the pad to the rotor. I have seen this happen before and it doesn't work out very well

Thought of another thing... keep all body parts from under your rotors (feet, hands, arms) incase if your car falls.

[3150Mach1]

Sent you a PM

[HamMach1]

Originally Posted by 03Mach150BP

Sent you a PM

Replied

[mach1 03]

i have heard good things about EBC pads. i am going to get the redstuff or yellowstuff when i replace mine.

[MachWonGuy]

Careful when you push back the calipers cause there is a chance that Brake fluid will come out of the master cylinder cap. Brake fluid is bad for paint

[DSG2003Mach1]

the rear calipers TURN in, not just push in. They sell the cube (which didnt work for me) or borrow from their loan a tool program to turn the rear in

[HamMach1]

THanks for the info. Another quick question: How long do the front pads usually last for? I belive the guy at the dealership said it was only the rear ones that weren't lookin so hot. They have just enough on them to pass inspection basically.

I'm looking at the Hawk ceramic pads. I hear they're nice.

[DannyStyle22]

I have hawk pads and love them so far! Only had them for about 5k miles and seem to be doing really well.

[HamMach1]

Are these what I want?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HAWK-...mZ200255498089

[DannyStyle22]

I have no experience with those most of the people on here recommend the hawk HPS pads and this is also what I am running. (Manufacturer Part #: GS6D412 for front and Manufacturer Part #: GS6D627 for the rear).

[DannyStyle22]

Or itlrun can get really good deals on factory pads if I remember correctly.

[006]

The how-to is a sticky right above this thread.

Here is a direct link:

http://www.mach1registry.org/forums/...ad.php?t=69610

[DSG2003Mach1]

at 45k my front pads were fine but the rear pads were low, the rear inside pads were almost to the baking, so that would make sense. Ive never done any brakestand burnouts, I think the pads just dont let go completly after having the ebrake on

[mach1 03]

i'm at 19k and my front pads are getting low. if you go with the hawk pads go with the HPS (more stopping power).

[TRXboy]

I went with the Hawk Ceramics - and I would go with the HPS next. The ceramics (for me, anyway) are noisy, and don't have very good response unless they are heated up.

Only downside of the HPS is that I do hear the HPS pads dust like all hell.


FWIW.

[ITLRUN]

Originally Posted by DannyStyle22

Or itlrun can get really good deals on factory pads if I remember correctly.

Thanks!

I can get you a pair for Ford Motorcraft rear pads for $38.27 plus S/H.

[np_mach1]

Originally Posted by DSG2003Mach1

the rear calipers TURN in, not just push in. They sell the cube (which didnt work for me) or borrow from their loan a tool program to turn the rear in

I've used a pair of pliers in the past on other cars... I would assume you could do the same here.

[HamMach1]

Originally Posted by TRXboy

I went with the Hawk Ceramics - and I would go with the HPS next. The ceramics (for me, anyway) are noisy, and don't have very good response unless they are heated up.

Only downside of the HPS is that I do hear the HPS pads dust like all hell.


FWIW.

Are they better than factory pads? I like the idea of having pads that won't dust like hell.

Originally Posted by ITLRUN

Thanks!

I can get you a pair for Ford Motorcraft rear pads for $38.27 plus S/H.

You know... I might have to take you up on this if I can't find what I'm looking for. I'll let you know.

[Apollo240]

DONT FORGET THE SHIMS!!! AND PUT THEM ON RIGHT!!!! I think thats what I screwed up on mine and now the brakes rattle when i go down the road!!!

[DannyStyle22]

Originally Posted by TRXboy

I went with the Hawk Ceramics - and I would go with the HPS next. The ceramics (for me, anyway) are noisy, and don't have very good response unless they are heated up.

Only downside of the HPS is that I do hear the HPS pads dust like all hell.


FWIW.

To be honest the brake dust isnt that bad. It is a little more than stock pads but its not going to black out your rim in a couple days or anything.

[Macho 1]

Fronts are super easy. The backs were a PITA. The cube and another tool for the job my buddy had just kept slipping. I ended up using a set of slipjaw pliers and C clamp to turn it and push it in. Took some monkey wrangling with my feet to get that third hand I needed since I was alone when I did them.