Quick question about Front Brake/Rotor Replacement

mjletts · #1 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 12:40 PM

Replacing front pads and rotors this weekend on my girlfriends 07 Fit. The is my first time changing the brakes on this car, but I've change many front brakes in the past.
Question: Is there anything special needed to get the rotors off? Or do you just remove the tire, remove the caliper, and hit the rotors with a rubber mallet (to loosen) and take them off? Other than that, i think it sounds like a pretty straight forward job.

Thanks

Matt

Evotech8 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 01:36 PM

Brake job is pretty easy DIY on the Fit.
The only problem was loosening two phillips screws that hold the front rotors on the hub. Get yourself or borrow a hand held Impact Driver tool to loosen those screws. It willl save you a lot of time and cursing.

.

mjletts · #3 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 01:49 PM

Evo, thanks for the quick reply and the info. I'll grab one when I pick up my pads/rotors.
Matt

Carbuff2 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-22-2009, 07:48 AM

And FYI, those screws are only used to secure the rotor during vehicle assembly. If you end up drilling one out, you don't have to replace it.

mjletts · #5 (**permalink**) 08-22-2009, 01:58 PM

thanks Carbuff2. Just completed the brake/rotor replacement. Easiest brake job I've ever done!! Thanks for the help guys. (I love car forums!!)

FYI....i've seen other posts about uneven wear on brake pads. This Fit is a 2007 and has 40K miles. This was the first brake pad replacement and all 4 pads had even wear.

Thanks again.

Matt

Fitn in · #6 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 02:41 AM

Just swapped mine out for drilled/slotted rotors and some Hawk pads and had one of those stupid screws rusted in. It stripped out, so I ended up drilling it out and then using an extractor to get the rest out. My pads had almost 59K miles on them and looked to be only halfway worn, but my old rotors had a pulsation (slight warp) issue, so it was a good excuse to upgrade! But pretty easy job to replace overall!

FELIXY69 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 06:04 AM

which rotor u buy and from where ???

Carbuff2 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitn in

Just swapped mine out ... and had one of those stupid screws rusted in. It stripped out, so I ended up drilling it out and then using an extractor to get the rest out.

It's been my experience that the screws corrode under their heads. If the screw head needs to be drilled off, the shank comes out relatively easily once the rotor is removed. But as I said, there actually is no need to totally remove the damaged retaining screws.

I have taken to packing the heads of the screws with anti-seize to resist moisture. I also coat the rotor to hub area as I've seen that get kinda rusty.

Oh, the joys of living in the Salt Belt....